One of the coolest, baddest, funkiest albums Cannonball Adderley ever recorded -- a massive suite of tunes based on the signs of the Zodiac, produced to perfection by David Axelrod, and featuring some hip recitations from the mighty Rick Holmes! The double-length set is completely compelling all the way through -- a darkly brooding batch of funky jazz that shows a strong Miles Davis electric influence at points, thanks to Nat Adderley's spacey trumpet lines, Mike Deasy's trippy guitar, and George Duke's excellent keyboards! - Dusty Groove

Yes, that is for the pictures...

~later days~

Ravi Coltrane - In Flux

Like many, I admire saxophonist Ravi Coltrane for accurately pursuing the footsteps of his dad the legendary John Coltrane. We also know, Ravi of course isn't his dad in timbre and he will probably not be not will he receive the same notoriety. Does it matter? Maybe? Nonetheless, I don't think he's not trying to acheive with this or any of his previous albums.

In Flux is an impressive canvas painted by Ravi Coltrane. The maturity of his tone is rich, colorful, and balanced with a conduit of melodic dexterity many of his peers long to employee in their sound. Therefore, his voice is transfixed in a place that's rhythmically and conceptually on point which fits perfectly well within the framework of bop today or yesterday. - J Desmond

The Jazz Crusaders - Lighthouse 68'

The sound of the Jazz Crusaders was unmistakable. The dark, rich sound of Wayne Henderson's trombone and Wilton Felder's Texas tenor popped. Joe Sample's articulate piano style was as orchestral as it was rhythmic, and Stix Hooper could provide lots of color without sacrificing the great grooves he'd establish.

The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach was the site of their most satisfying and commercially successful albums. "Lighthouse '68" was propelled by their aggressively unsentimental version of "Eleanor Rigby", but the album was full of great compositions by the band members, including bassist Buster Williams.- Amazon.com

Donald Byrd - Street Lady

Arguably, the sounds of the seventies with trumpeter Donald Byrd at the helm was a magical moment for contemporary jazz especially from the black perspective. Blue Note Records was innovative enough to have their paradigm in place with phase one by adjusting they're artist sound to be woven into the current musical trend. Producers Larry and Fonce Mizell where called upon to use their expertise to create hits for Blue Note catalog of artist. Therefore, their hip sound caught on fire and resonated across black radio, home stereos,  and cars from coast to coast as they're groove fit perfectly in the eclectic mode of sassy "Blaxploitation" films and soundtracks.- J Desmond

Kevin Eubanks, Spiritalk 2

Two years after releasing the original Spiritalk, Kevin Eubanks reunites the same group of musicians for another collection of organic fusion compositions. Drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, regardless of what one might think of him in general, simply smokes in situations like this. He is absolutely unchained, playing with the energy (and seemingly the limbs) of two or more men. Smith and Eubanks interact like McLaughlin and Cobham, or Morse and Morgenstein. Some of the most exciting moments on Spiritalk 2 are those in which their high-octane improvisations threaten to run out of control. - Kevin Eubanks

This pretty much sums up the awesomeness of the cavaliers. I've decided that I'm going to let no one talk me out of it. I'm auditioning and (hopefully) playing with the Cavaliers this summer. I only have 3 years left that I'm young enough to do this, and it's something I've always really wanted to do.

On a similar note: I hate teaching saxophone, and I'm starting to dislike playing it also. It is such a picky instrument that takes more practice than it is worth. And when you teach it, you have to use the phrase "it could be ___" a million times when a student is having a problem. The saxophone is by far the best woodwind instrument... but brass is where it's at.

 Altos e altíssimos, somente à noite. Se não está acostumada treine antes, aumentando gradativamente o tamanho do salto até se sentir confortável;

 Procure distribuir o peso do corpo por toda perna, com apoio central do quadril e abdômen contraído; não trave os joelhos;

 Evite subir ou descer escadas usando apenas a parte dianteira do pé, use toda a base virando o pé para o lado - subindo ou descendo quase de lado mesmo;

 Jogue os ombros para trás, assim o corpo terá uma postura melhor e mais equilíbrio.

The Bob Mintzer Big Band's new CD, Swing Out, will be released on the MCG Jazz label in August, 2008. It was recorded live at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in Pittsburgh, PA.

In the jazz world Bob Mintzer is a household name, usually associated with being a saxophonist, bass clarinetist, composer, arranger, leader of a Grammy winning big band, member of the Yellowjackets, and educator.

Bob has written over 200 big band arrangements spanning a 34 year career, many of which are performed all over the world by both student and pro bands.

"Swing Out" is due for release on 8/26/2008

Paquito D'Rivera Quintet - Funk Tango

Paquito D Rivera introduces, Paquito Records, with the premier release of Paquito D Rivera Quintet? Funk Tango. With over 50 recordings in the varied musical styles that he loves to perform and create, Paquito finally has a label where he can be himself. Paquito Records. With Paquito D Rivera Quintet? Funk Tango an allegory to the fact that his quintet can sometimes be a trio or a sextet, or an orchestra, or a duo, he is joined by his trusted core musicians, some of which have been with him for almost 20 years. These are, Mark Walker on drums, Oscar Stagnaro on bass, Diego Urcola on trumpet and valve-trombone, Alon Yavnai, on piano, Pernell Saturnino on percussion and Hector Del Curto on Bandoneon, with additional pianists Ed Simon, (an old band member), and Fernando Otero, and newcomer Pablo Stagnaro on cajon. - Amazon.com

Gabriel Alegria - Nuevo Mundo [New World]

A native of Lima, Peru, Gabriel Alegria is the founder and artistic director of Jazz Peru Internacional (JPI), the premier jazz arts and cultural exchange organization in his homeland and producer of the annual Festival Internacional Jazz Peru. Alegria was recently named Associate Director of the Jazz Studies Program at New York University and has been living in New York City since September 2007. Alegria combines his experience playing jazz as it developed in the U.S. with a passionate interest and careful study of the black music of coastal Per. By incorporating and exploring the common African roots found in both styles, he has developed a uniquely Afro-Peruvian jazz music concept. - AAJ

Sacha Boutros - Simply Sacha

Multilingual Singer/Composer/Producer Sacha Boutros will turn you on in any language with her smooth sultry vocals. A fresh new voice in Jazz & Latin Jazz her new album "Simply Sacha" features Chuchito Valdes, Geoffrey Keezer & Red Holloway w/Liner Notes by Karrin Allyson. Having played the piano since she was a little girl, she began composing at an early age. As a child she was introduced to musical harmonies and playful lyrical songwriting by her grandfather; "He taught me to sing the harmonies in church and I later sang in the choir and show choir growing up. - Sacha Boutros.com

Antonio Hart - Ama Tu Sourisa

An excellent altoist who gained recognition for his work with Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart studied classical saxophone at the Baltimore School for the Arts for four years. He sat in with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, toured with Hargrove for a few years, and in the mid-'90s formed his own group. Hart, who is most influenced by Cannonball Adderley and Gary Bartz, has recorded for Novus with Hargrove, and as a leader on a number of his own CDs. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

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Uploaded by http://www.youtube.com/user/BeautyIsArareThing

It's a bit of an impediment to flow, having a scanner, having a computer, but not having the wherewithal to have them shake hands and work together.

* sigh ... *

I own it: I'm not gadget guy. But this is not part and parcel of me being a tech cheese-fist. There is definitively no driver that exists for my particular scanner that will work within this machine / os configuration. Old hp, old mac. Screw it, I'll schlep my wares over to glom of a friend's rig before too much longer, I hope.

Been fairly productive, line wise. Out of no where, I've taken to drawing without pencil, and, necessarily, significantly, without eraser. That's kind of a big symbolic deal.

2) What a wake-up call this morning, facing my saxophonic rustiness. That's. What. Happens when you don't find time to play. My diaphragmatic processes and structures are total mung. Dang. I literally need to relearn how to breathe correctly into a saxophone.

Which means that I need to find time, and a place, to accomplish this.

3) First published blog contribution! Also kind of a big symbolic deal. Many thanks, Dan.

I'd be remiss to not encourage any who find their way here to meander on over there as you travel the tubes.

Music Theory Lecture, Music Theory Lab, Saxophone Masterclass, Wind Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Piano I, Music Forum, Strategies for College Success, and Introduction to Philosophy.

I decided not to be in the marching band though I really wanted to so I could focus on practicing and really being prepared for my performances and the two ensembles I'm in.  The marching band took up such a huge amount of time and I wouldn't be able to practice 3 hours a day if I had been in it. I'll join next year, though, so I won't completely miss out on the college marching band experience!

The Music Theory lecture last 50 minutes and then the lab lasts an hour and 15 minutes, since the professor breaks down everything he said in the lecture and discusses it with a smaller group.  

The saxophone masterclass is taught by the saxophone professor and is pretty much like a group lesson where everyone analyzes pieces of music, discusses the various techniques used during those pieces, and develops their saxophone playing skill as a group. 

I don't know if I'm in the wind ensemble yet since auditions are right before school starts and on the first day of school but it is the highest band that consists of wind players and I've heard they play some really cool music. I won't know I'm in until my saxophone professor places me into an ensemble after my audition.

Piano I is pretty self-explanatory.  I decided to be placed into Piano I instead of a more advanced piano since even though I've been playing since I was 5, my teacher never taught me the basics. And this class covers all the basics. If it's too easy, then I'm going to switch into a more advanced class during the first week, which is Add/Drop Week.

Music Forum meets 2 times a week and that's where you listen to professors' and students' performances, along with performing yourself on your assigned day.  All music majors have a required amount of performances they need to attend so although you aren't forced to attend every music forum class, you do need to meet the number of performances you need to listen to. The first Music Forum class is the music majors' orientation.

Strategies for College Success and Introduction to Philosophy are the 2 classes that aren't music related. Strategies for College Success is only for freshmen and that's where you learn about college, how to stay organized, how to manage your time successfully, and etc., which should be pretty useful.  And Introduction to Philosophy is where we discuss the meaning and justification of fundamental ideas and beliefs concerning reality, knowledge, and values of human beings, which should be really interesting.

So, that's that.  I will be moving into my dorm at the University of Central Florida on August 21st and I will update during the first week of school on which ensemble I'm in and how my classes are! In closing, I will leave this quote for you to ponder.

~Candace

Music lives in three tenses at once. Developing what comes before it in the past, it engages us in the present, and inspires our hopes for its future. ~Warren Benson

Rene the keyboardist was comping and singing along to her Casio keyboard rhythm tracks while Richard played nice guitar solos behind her. As I sat there at the corner of this really small bar, I had my gig bag standing on end by my feet where I could hold it easily. A table of four people was directly in front of me, then the small stage. One of the happy Belgians looked at me and smiled and noticed my sax-shaped case. He pointed and said something in French, probably "oh ho ho, a saxophonist! Will you be playing with the band tonight?" I smiled back and shrugged my shoulders. After a few minutes the other man at the table noticed my case and asked in English if I was going to play tonight. This man's name is Ewan, and he helped make my night.

Ewan works for Belgacom as a network engineer and speaks English fairly well. We talked for a few minutes and before you know it he was asking the duo if I could sit in for a tune. During the exchange i heard the words "saxophonist professional" and "Texas," so I think he was telling them my story. They gladly welcomed me up and I played a tune with them. The small crowd loved it, as did the duo, and for the rest of the night I sat on stage with my new friends playing all sorts of music and drinking the constant flow of free beer from the owner of the club and his Jordyn Sparks lookalike bartender. It turns out that the owner is a big jazz fan. I think he)was also a fan of the fact that before I started playing there were six customers in the place, while after a couple of tunes there were about twenty inside (as many as it could hold) and every table outside was occupied. In fact, he liked it so much that he asked me to come back the next day and play a gig on my own and he would actually pay me. Pretty cool.

We played until about 2 AM. At this point the duo was tuckered out and needed to get home. I was asked where I was staying and I told Ewan the story about the hotel. The next thing you know the owner is calling up friends looking for a place for me to stay. He also asked me if I would play at his bar the next day for money. I picked up a gig! Pretty cool... ;-) Then, a cab driver took me a few miles away to see if another hotel was open. He took me back to the club and someone offered their place to me for the evening. Her name is Viola, she is a very sweet yet eclectic older woman that speaks broken English. Earlier in the evening she had attended a concert that featured several angry German rock bands, and she was still dressed the part. A million bracelets on one arm, colors in her hair, a razor blade necklace, etc. Think chain smoking flower child and you get the picture. She was happy to be back in Dinant listening to jazz, and she offered me a place to get some sleep.

David, a bass player friend of hers showed up earlier while I was playing and the three of us drove to her apartment not far away from the club. We went inside and I felt like I was stepping into a time machine. The walls of this one-room flat were covered with posters of Jim Morrison, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and the like. She had beads hanging from the ceiling and also owned a very friendly black cat named Jim Morrison. We sat down on the various pieces of furniture in the room and both Viola and David wanted to talk music shop. I was cool with that, but I was also friggin' exhausted. But, I humored them with stories and answered their questions about America, politics and music. When Viola found out that I was a computer geek she asked if I could help fix her laptop. It was almost inoperable due to the boatload of spyware and trojan horses she had. I was able to install AVG and SpyBot and after several scans and reboots was able to clean up her machine for her. By 6:00 AM we finally zonked out, Viola let me have her bed while she kept the couch. Sadly, given the heat wave and lack of air conditioning (they don't really need it in Dinant) I was uncomfortable for the four hours that I actually laid there. I got a little sleep, but not much.

I was going to leave on my own and walk back to town to start my tourist jaunt, but Viola heard me getting ready to leave and wanted to show me the way to the statues herself. (While we walked together along the river back to town and I learned that several years ago she was in a horrible car accident that left her in a coma for a month. She had to re-learn how to use her arms and legs, You would never know it by looking at her.) We reached the first statue, a giant saxophone standing alone in a fountain at the end of Rue Adolphe Sax. I took out my horn, set up my video camera, stepped up to the statue and started playing. Some people started gathering and taking pictures, meanwhile Viola was snapping away with my camera to capture the event. We then made the short walk down Rue Sax to the statue of Adolphe sitting on a bench in front of the house where he was born. There is a very modest display of his work in an empty storefront, I was surprised to see something so basic in honor of the coolest instrument known to man. I played another time here on the bench next to Adolph and completed my saxophone mission. A few more pictures and I was done. I performed where it all began. Check that off my life to-do list.

With only a couple of hours left before I had to catch the train back to Brussells I decided to do some more sightseeing. I bought some Dinant souvenirs and took the cable car up to the Citadel to enjoy the amazing view. It was gorgeous, the weather, while unseasonably warn, offered me the chance to take lots of amazing post card perfect pictures. I descended via cable car and walked back to the bar and played a short gig with David, a very fine bass player in the Jaco Pastorius idiom.

Sadly, I had to leave just as "Saxophone Sunday" was beginning. Every Sunday in July and August the city sponsors varied music groups to perform in the streets. As I walked across the bridge back to the train station I could hear a strolling dixieland band playing close to the post office. But, I had to make this train or else I would miss the last train from Brussells to London. Fortunately my return trip was perfect, just like my weekend turned out to be. If I hadn't missed my train on Saturday I would have had a hotel room and slept through sitting in with the duo, meeting Ewan, David and Viola, and getting the chance to play my own gig in the birthplace of the saxophone.

(if you want to see more pictures, visit my Dinant album at Photobucket.com)