Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Got Th'em Blues, And Lov'in It!
So after weeks of absence, i went back to Jazz practice yesterday. Was pretty lost and the new scores threw me off (and still do) completely! There were some new guys too, including this Trombone player who apparently was a little tipsy. It was pretty funny, specially when he would spout random bursts of nonsense. Saw him down his whole Beer too and it was pretty evident toward the end of the night that he had entered drunken euphoria! At one point someone even shot a sarcastic remark at him which went something to the effect of... " A GOOD MUSICIAN SHUTS THE HELL UP AND LISTENS TO THE CONDUCTOR ". I thought that was pretty amusing.
Well, moving on from Drunk Trombone players and very pissed of Saxes, (Sounds pretty wrong doesnt it?) I need to get cracking once again! Tons o new scores to learn and old ones to perfect! Im starting to get the hang of Latin Jazz Guitar. Essentially it revolves directly around the Blues, working with many Flats and Sharps along the Pentatonic Scale. Fusing this with the Dorian mode provides a kick ass David Brubeck, Miles Davis kinda vibe. Primarily of course, its getting the whole feel that puts the music in perspective. Seriously, feel the blues... and the Jazz sinks in automatically with a little more... hmmm musical charisma? Haha.. much like how you'd need that "UGH!" with Thrash Metal. I'm not making much sense but hey, what are blogs for anyway?
This phrase (and perhaps philosophy?) has been in my head for awhile now so here it will imortalised! (Or so called.)
The Blues; Heart and SOUL of the Jazz Guitar.
Oh, i've found the perfect radio station on Itunes to chill to while working on Design and stuff too. "Absolutely Smooth Jazz on Sky.Fm " provides some seriously wicked tunes and stuff. Especially at night when they do alot of Funk Jazz Progressive stuff. Really awesome music for chilling to and some home-based zen healing! (Maybe a tad exaggerated)
Slap Bass, Jazz Guitar, and Bluesy Saxophone playing produce the most uberly unbelievably insanely impossibly AWESOME tunes ever.
Alright its back to songwriting.. and some blues playing alongside the inspiring and vintage sounds of the one and only Stevie Ray Vaughan!
Cheers!
-Loving the holidays and happy to finally settle down and play,
Christian.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band at Mosaic
Eddie Palmieri, Piano Maestro and some say Miles Davis of Latin Jazz, most definitely did not disappoint today.
The entire concert was a beautiful arrangement of jazz/latin/fusion/samba/world compositions that filled my ears with amazing sensations. Every instrument came together perfectly, in harmony with the very (And i mean very) complex time signatures. Eddie Palmieri was amazing on the Piano, starting off the journey with a self-composed fusion musical piece. I let the atmosphere of the concert hall, and the amazing sound acoustics set in as i settled myself down to fully embrace the swirling Arpeggios that were soaring from the Grand Piano. Technically highly proficient, focused, and above all... Eddie felt the music and it hit everyone in the hall as well.
After the inspirational Piano entrance, the band came onstage including a truly talented line-up. The Ensemble included Eddie, an Alto Saxophonist, Trumpets, Percussion (Congos, Drums), and a Double Bass. Throughout the performance, each musician had ample time for solos and they showed very evidently their skill and expertise in the respective fields. Amazing technicality, and a passion that was simply bursting from every fret, every key, every snare.
A couple of amazing compositions followed, which nicely built up into a suitable climax. The final piece was a fusion samba piece of sorts, where Eddie invited the crowd to "Dance along the aisles" if they wanted to. This invitation was apparently well recieved, and very soon people were samba-dancing and grooving to the awesome beat from the Jazz powerhouse that is Eddie Palmieri.
Expectedly, the band gave an encore performance which included a 10 minute Congo solo which was unbelievably versatile, harmonised and plan uncanny! The consistency of the perussionist's playing, along with the complex beats left me plain tacken aback! There was even a point where he began tapping his head as part of a beat, which was hilarious!
I am extremely inspired after seeing today's performance and i don't regret a single of the 42 bucks i spent to catch this memorable and awesome experience.
I'm gonna be working doubly hard now musically and i hope this passion doesn't burn out, but i will most definitely never forget tonight.
Signing Off,
Jazz-struck super inspired dreaming,
christian.
The entire concert was a beautiful arrangement of jazz/latin/fusion/samba/world compositions that filled my ears with amazing sensations. Every instrument came together perfectly, in harmony with the very (And i mean very) complex time signatures. Eddie Palmieri was amazing on the Piano, starting off the journey with a self-composed fusion musical piece. I let the atmosphere of the concert hall, and the amazing sound acoustics set in as i settled myself down to fully embrace the swirling Arpeggios that were soaring from the Grand Piano. Technically highly proficient, focused, and above all... Eddie felt the music and it hit everyone in the hall as well.
After the inspirational Piano entrance, the band came onstage including a truly talented line-up. The Ensemble included Eddie, an Alto Saxophonist, Trumpets, Percussion (Congos, Drums), and a Double Bass. Throughout the performance, each musician had ample time for solos and they showed very evidently their skill and expertise in the respective fields. Amazing technicality, and a passion that was simply bursting from every fret, every key, every snare.
A couple of amazing compositions followed, which nicely built up into a suitable climax. The final piece was a fusion samba piece of sorts, where Eddie invited the crowd to "Dance along the aisles" if they wanted to. This invitation was apparently well recieved, and very soon people were samba-dancing and grooving to the awesome beat from the Jazz powerhouse that is Eddie Palmieri.
Expectedly, the band gave an encore performance which included a 10 minute Congo solo which was unbelievably versatile, harmonised and plan uncanny! The consistency of the perussionist's playing, along with the complex beats left me plain tacken aback! There was even a point where he began tapping his head as part of a beat, which was hilarious!
I am extremely inspired after seeing today's performance and i don't regret a single of the 42 bucks i spent to catch this memorable and awesome experience.
I'm gonna be working doubly hard now musically and i hope this passion doesn't burn out, but i will most definitely never forget tonight.
Signing Off,
Jazz-struck super inspired dreaming,
christian.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Today's Performance went unexpectedly well. Despite having been informed at extremely last minute conditions and working under immense pressure, we pulled off a pretty good set.
We had to go through some pretty tense moments, but the end result was successful, and it feels great!
Next up, Substation on the 8th March and Temasek Poly Dinner and Dance!
Viva Rock and Roll.
We had to go through some pretty tense moments, but the end result was successful, and it feels great!
Next up, Substation on the 8th March and Temasek Poly Dinner and Dance!
Viva Rock and Roll.
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