I think most of us know a few things about the brain based on recent research. We know that when you stop practicing something, stop solving a problem, the brain does not stop. I've been working out a few things lately and I've got to see that in action.

I hope you guys realize that step one of working out a problem is to play it and show yourself the problem, spend some time trying to fix it and then finally walk away from it. Let the brain work on it. Next day it's better.

Hi Everyone,
How fast these past six years have gone by! This May we will be celebrating six years of Good Vibes! And they said it couldn't be done.
Anniversary shows celebrate the past year of vibes. So we have two tracks from Behn (two different CDs) and two tracks from Hendrik Meurkens (one on the harmonica). Gary is featured on "Once Upon A Summertime," Rusty Burge on "Goodbye Porkpie Hat," and Steve Pouchie on "A Mis Contrarios." Tony, Arthur Lipner, Jason Marsalis, Steve Hobbs and Mark Sherman turn up as well. And so much more.

I wanted to mention this beautiful series by Kjell Samkopf.

Kjell sent me the books and the CDs. No strings attached. Which is great because I can rarely listen to CDs sent to me. For once I was actually bored and put on one of his CDs and really loved what I was listening to! Not tunes, not jazz but really great music. I was really impressed and thought I should pass this along to you guys. So check it out!

Quick question and simple but wanted input:
Let's say I am soloing over F sharp minor seven flat five and one of my solo choices I came up with is: whole step, half step pattern. i was thinking f# minor in dorian, but didn't like emphasizing the c#..yeah i am a geek.
Cool about whole half thing?

this was a wonderfull gig with Legendary Percussionist Gerardo Velez ( founding member of Spyro Gyra) at the blue note hawaii .. the amazing Bonny B was on Drums ...

Does anyone know about Saito vibes? One for sale here that a young student of mine is interested in. Motor not working, C to C (which I don't have a good feeling about) and $900. If the bars are terrific, maybe they're worth it. But are they more or less like Jenco?

Here's a mega etude. Your job is to enter the chords and study each bar by writing all the alterations in. Is it aN F7b9? F713, F713#9. Look carefully at each bar and study the tune. Then play it. Memorize if you dare.

Ceora has such an optimistic, joyous melody. It was a staple in my repertoire at the hundreds of solo gigs I did at local eateries here in the world class wine country north of San Francisco.

I'm sure this tune has been a TOTM at one time or another. It's one of those that you never get tired of and again and again.