Wow, people are getting involved. That's so cool. I love it. Keep going!

I'm making a solo vibes piece out of Joe's Sword of Whispers. I think I'll video it Tomorrow and post it. Then I'll write it out and make it available for anyone who wants to check it out.

Also doing a video duet of one of my tunes. Using the green screen.

Dave Samuels' Caribbean Jazz Project will appear at Sculler's Jazz Club http://www.scullersjazz.com on Thursday, February 18, 2009 at 8PM.

Here's Joe Locke Playing 'Sword of Whispers'.

Go here to download the sheet music: http://joelocke.com/shop/index.htm

A totally beautiful solo by Joe! This is from his tune Sword of Whispers. The sheet music can be found on Joe's site.

This is an amazing improvisation by master marimbist Keiko Abe. Unfortunately is not the entire performance but you can get an idea. She has mastered the 6 mallet technique. If you look carefully she is not only playing block chords, she is also playing lines alternating the sticks and opening and closing intervals within the 3 sticks. She is using the traditional grip. Also the improv is based on one of her compositions called: "Itsuki Fantasy"

She is amazing!!!

All of this great drop 2 stuff from Dana has gotten me thinking about voicings I find myself using a lot, and I thought I'd post some that I think emphasize the strengths of the instrument while negotiating its limited range. I use these particular voicings to try and make 4-note chords that have a decent spread, but don't get way up on the top of the instrument, where I think it's easy to distract from a soloist.

Drop 2 voicings are 'all the rage'. They're being talking about alot these. Check out Dana's lessons on Drop 2 voicings. They're really great and thorough.