I've been getting up and playing a Parker tune or 2 to get my center. Joe Magnarelli does this and I've been trying to adopt it. Rhythmically Parker is pretty heavy IMHO.

Then I'm rehearsing for a string of gigs this week with the same group. It's with Tony Marino on bass and Todd Isler on drums and led by Diane Monroe. So it's going to be a heavy week I think. Marino is such an amazing bass player.

I'm trying to find what year my Musser m75 was manufactured. Does anyone know who to contact? The serial number for the instrument is 0476.

Thanks!
Ted.

This is a performance of a composition from a great friend of mine from Germany Matthias Schmitt.
While not vibes, it is a mallet piece with choir which in our idiom (jazz) seldom to hear.

I hope you enjoy it.
-Todd

I need to confess! I bought a pair of those Sefon Harris Mallets. Big balls, short staff (lol). You know what.... I pick up just 2 mallets every now and then and just play and it is SO MUCH FUN. I get why there are 2 mallet players (and 3 [Mike]). Playing with 2 mallets makes the instrument feel more like a set of drums, more percussion. Anyway that's my take. Any 2 mallet players or 'Bi'-mallet players out there who have anything to add?? 2 mallets seem very very sexy.

Here's a stunning solo on the blues. 12 bars from Charlie Parker (April 1941) on Hootie Blues. No wonder the guys who heard that in 1941 were dumbfounded !
I have learnt this solo note for note, and I play it as a tune.

As i've mentioned in my previous blog entry that we had removed an annoying bug in the gigVibes midi, I liked the change so much, we decided to finally offer the midi system as an add-on to other brands vibes.

The system consists of a nice control case with an embedded mixer and touchpanel for operating the system, and ofcourse the two blue collector rails. Range is up to 64 notes. Nice is that the control case can be mounted on a mike stand.

I'm listening to Stefon Harris' new album that he did with some guys down in Cuba. It's a cool album, called Ninety Miles. But, I think I need a lot more history behind latin music to appreciate it.
Can anybody suggest some guys who were a real part of the history of latin music. some of the really early guys would be great. thanks

Let's build our list of the blues! Here's mine to start!

Thought this might be interesting. Getting the old guys to give advice to the young guys who are heading off to college.

Mine:

Be very open minded and humble.

Don't get too involved with drugs and booze, that will take away from the music in the end.

Practice your asses off. That's the only way I know to get good.

Ask questions and study with lots of different people (even if your teacher doesn't dig it). have your main guy but man get different points of views.

Any other advice from old cats to young cats???

I played a club last night where lots of old rock bands from the 60's and 70's are now playing! Full circle for them, huh?? Was a big club, but not a stadium!

I used to be a big fan of a band called 'The Tubes'. JEEEEZ, I youtubed them and I couldn't believe I used to dig them. I can't for the life of me remember why I did. Maybe I need to check out the album. But man, I don't dig them now. I must be missing something I had back then. I noticed they were pretty 'theatrical'. Maybe that was it. I'm missing something.