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Christos Rafalides

I had ordered the Peter Gunn CD by the Harmonie Ensemble of New York and was more than pleased! This is a fitting tribute to the originator of TV crime jazz, and, according to Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, "The high priest of Hollywood cool," Henry Mancini. Lew Soloff, Lew Tabackin and Ronnie Cuber on trumpet, tenor saxophone and baritone saxophone respectively, enhance this new recording with their solo turns on the original arrangements and orchestrations first recorded 56 years ago. The vibes work on the CD is outstanding!

All the Things You Are- compose a melody

Hi folks,
I wanted to take a compositional approach to the TOTM this time. I find it can be insightful to compose a melody over a tune you're working on. For this one, I was trying to keep it simple- stay with a few basic rhythmic themes. I used some 4 and 5 note groupings discussed in previous lessons and used some Lee Konitz inspired melodic ideas. I always hear Lee's type of melodic playing over this tune, especially at a slow/ medium tempos. Love it!

Hawaii Youth Percussion Ensemble ...

Exciting day for me today. I was officially added to the faculty of the Hawaii youth percussion ensemble, in Honolulu, Hawaii. I had a chance to work with these kids back in February and they are truely amazing ... my duties with the ensemble will be private Vibraphon and jazz lessons, plus helping prepare the students on all facets of percussion in preperation to concerts, ect ..

very blessed to have been allow this opportunity ..