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Bluesette by Steve, Tony, John

Here's another track from my gig with Steve Giordano and John Swana.

Here's the thing about this music for me. Steve has a T-Shirt and it's sort of a joke.... It says 'Avante Guarde - Unfortunately Where Every Note is the Right Note'. I LOVE that shirt, it's just funny. I don't agree with it, but the satire is a real satire of the Avante Guarde. There's a lot of amazing music in the 'Avante Guarde' but I get the point of his t-shirt and actually like that point. However any music played with great musicians, with integrity and with honesty is going to be great no matter what it is.

Minor Blues Etude by Tony Miceli

Here's a fairly simple etude based on a minor blues.

There's no dampening in this etude necessary. Also the pedaling should be straight forward. Pedal slightly on the beat for the single line part and then with the chords for the double stops and chords.

I didn't write the chords in, it's a minor blues so fill them in your self.
I'm going to include the bass part also. Can you hear or figure out the chords for the last 8 bars? I'll tell you this it's not Dmin7b5 to G7.

The Good, The Bad and the Challenges Ahead

Anyone hanging around the site has seen all the changes and the growth of the site! It's really incredible what's happening. Probably the most exciting thing for us is Gary Burton joining the site and sharing with us thoughts on playing, his career and life. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that that would happen. This is a wonderful gift.

Things like this start taking the site into new directions. In a way he's started an archive of the history of the instrument. He's played such an important part as we all know.

Footprints by Steve, Tony, John

This is a group I play in. What's interesting is it's Guitar (Steve Giordano), EWI (John Swana, and myself. It's fun to play without a bass player! All the roles of the instrument change.

This is Footprints, the last I'll post from the gig. I really respect Steve and John, they're musicians of the highest order and I think there's a lot to get from there playing.

All The Things You Are by Steve, Tony, John

This is a group I play in. What's interesting is it's Guitar (Steve Giordano), EVI (John Swana, and myself. It's fun to play without a bass player! All the roles of the instrument change.

This I thought might be interesting to check out. It's a more contrapuntal take on 'All the Things Your Are'. Both Steve and John and phenomenal musicians, I think.

My Mentor Steve Giordano

Steve Giordano was and I think is my mentor. I've mentioned this before and probably many times. I learned more about the vibes from him than any teacher I studied with.

Whether I'm successful at it or not, this is how I hear the vibes as a solo instrument.

I learned a ton from Steve and was at his house every week from the 80's to the mid 90's. There was a few of us and we would just play and play.

He's a real passionate player and I love that in him.

Going to see Chick play tonight

I don't know if this is such a big topic, but it's one I always find interesting when the situation occurs. I think no matter how long you have been performing, there are still moments when you can get psyched out by seeing someone you know sitting in the front row. Tonight Jonathan and I are going to Miami to see Chick and John McLaughlin and their current touring group. It promises to be a great night of music and we have tickets right up front. This is one of the few times I will be in the audience to hear Chick play.