Will be releasing a new duo recording with pianist Steve Allee (Rufus Reid trio) later this fall. Here is a short excerpt from one of Steve's compositions.
Rusty
Hi Everyone,
Great contemporary jazz composer and trumpeter, Kenny Wheeler died last week. I've always loved Kenny's music, particularly the "Sweet Time Suite" recorded on Music for Large and Small Ensemble. I worked out a vibes adaptation of the chorale-like opening movement a while back and revisited it yesterday when I heard the news.
New Vic Firth Performance Spotlight Clip of Body & Soul from Berklee Percussion Festival concert. It was a pleasure to play with Billy Novick - clarinet, Mark Carlsen - bass and Steve Langone - drums.
Vic Firth video shoot taking place this week at Berklee to tape several solo vibe and marimba videos. We'll also be discussing details for a "video-minus-one" project that I'll be creating for vibists and marimbists.
I pulled out an old set of Burton mallets from the 80's. I had forgotten how perfect these mallets were. The rattan is narrower then any of my modern mallets and they have a quickness and tone that is really exceptional.The rattan is almost warn thru so I'd like to get that redone but I want them with the old narrower rattan that maybe doesnt last as long but has a great responsiveness and lightness that I really like.
Christos Rafalides live at "ZINC" NY (video).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUGfptIEzPjjZaB4on_M7n_Q&v=womNzb_Fj…
One of my favorite tune.
I play both piano and vibes on this one. ;o )
I have definitively adopted Miceli Stoned Grip ( after going back and forth with Burton Grip ) and i feel much better with alternated sticking for lines, voicings, time feel and melody phrasing ....
Thanks Tony ! LOL
One of my professors is assigning a lot of transcriptions (not just jazz; it's a class on various world musics) and suggested we buy the Transcribe! software program. Has anyone used this? Is it worth spending money on as opposed to using something free like Audacity? Most students in the class don't do much transcribing, so I've got an advantage since I've been transcribing jazz licks. I've always transcribed by ear and been fine with that so I'm hesitant to spend money on a program when I don't even use the free stuff.
I am using the first 4 bars of Mockingbird Hill as an exercise in the arpeggios of a I-IV-V sequence which can extend right around the keys in the circle of 4ths. The V chord is dominant 7, while I and IV are the majors.
Vic Firth Clip of Stella By Starlight from Berklee Percussion Festival concert.
Last fall i had the honor to take some lessons with jazz Pianist Pat Moran. Pat was a Prominet female voice in the 50's era of jazz during the early bill evan era. Pat had a famous trio with Bassist Scott Lafaro. Pat lives about 3 miles from me.