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One thing I admire about Tony

One Thing I admire about Tony is that he is relentlessly here on the site creating blogs, lessons, giving feedback etc. From what I can tell he practices what he preaches and practices hard all the time. That's such a huge thing that I try to get across to all my students. You cant work hard 50% of the time and expect to be a master of your instrument.

Forum Topic: Blues Options

I am a month late. But, better late than never. Here is a list of harmonic options over the blues. This was compiled by my instructor, Bert Ligon. A lot of this stuff was discussed by Tony last month, but it might help to see it all in one place. I feel that it is a very extensive and well organized discussion of different color options on the 12 bars. Hope you dig it!

-Drew

Thinking Sleigh Bells

It's been a miserable month but there's light at the end of the tunnel. Vibe gig at the rest home is put off, replaced by an organist! But the Christmas show at church is moving along. Working on a duet with guitarist John Hill on Sleigh Bells by Leroy Anderson. Got skeletal sheet music for A and B sections, and transcribed the C section from a Boston Pops performance. Built a whip. We'll trade off soloing/comping A section which keeps coming back, and I'll handle the short B and C sections.

Gary and Chick

I caught Gary and Chick last night at the Blue Note. Also with them was the Harlem String Quartet. What a heavy concert.

First of all Gary and Chick were made for each other. They play so well together. Gary's solos were really incredible. I kept admiring how fluid he is on the instrument. He comps so well with Chick also. I think for most part vibe players shouldn't comp with the piano player. Meaning most of the time i hear that I don't like it. But those guys sound so great together!

Thomas L. Davis

My good friend Tom Davis passed away yesterday. He was 80. Tom was a great vibes player. Many of the older members of this site may have known him. He wrote extensively for percussion ensemble, but he also published solo vibraphone material. He was an excellent teacher and mentor. I got to know Tom when I was a 4th year resident in psychiatry at the University of Iowa. I had decided to start playing again so I went to his office and knocked on the door.

Could There Be More???

The only thing I can think of that's left to talk about with comping would be comping for yourself, right?? Any more topics you guys can think of.

I figured we could squeeze one more week with comping for yourself and then wrap this up. But I was wrong last week, so if you think there are more topics let me know! Otherwise, let's move onto 'Solo Comping' and 'Comping for Yourself'. Something like that!!!

Good Vibes radio December update and two more November dates

Time

Hi All,
December's show is in the rotation for the 4th and 7th. Details about times, etc., are on the bottom of this message.

This show includes two from Dana, including that little beauty "Soulflakes" with Marie. Arturo and Tyler are back once again, as are Behn and Randy.

Other vibists, in order of air time, include:
Bryan Carrott
Terry Gibbs
Jerry Tachoir
Hamp
Tito Puente
Bobby Hutcherson
Scott Peters
Cecelia Smith
Stefon Harris
Hendrick Meurkens
Tom Collier
Das Vibenbass (Justin Sorenson)
Chuck Redd
Arthur Lipner
and last but not least, Milt Jackson.