Greetings friends!
On Tuesday night, I was fortunate enough to play for the opening act for B3 Organ night at the Artists Quarter. It was a lot of fun to play at my favorite jazz club in the twin cities and to play with some great musicians!
On the gig was:
Jennifer Parker - Vocals
Kristin Sponcia - Keys
Graydon Peterson- Bass
We also had some great vocalists sit in with the group such as Maud Hixson, Sean Parker, and Joshua Mullin. They were all great and we played a nice variety of tunes from old school swing, to ECM (modern jazz), as well as arrangements from the vocalists, and more.
Can't wait to perform with these fellow jazz cats again.
If you are bored, Tomorrow night (Thursday, April 9) I am playing down at the Artists Quarter with the McNally Smith jazz Ensembles. It will be a lot of fun!
See you all around!
Peace.Love.Music
Showing posts with label jazz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jazz. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Escapism
Jazz is such an escape for me. Last night certain feelings were overwhelmed within me. I was going nuts just sitting in my apartment. Maybe because it was a Saturday night, but that isn't the complete reason I assure you. In fact as I sit here now righting this blog, some of the feelings are back. All I want to do is share how I feel, but I always wait for the perfect moment. Anyways... back to the point.
Even as I was walking to the Artists Quarter jazz club, I still felt overwhelmed. I am going to a jazz club, I left my apartment, going to listen to an incredible jazz group, but certain thoughts, worries, etc are on my mind yet.
The moment I walk into the Arists Quarter, it was like all worries were gone. No music was playing at the time, but so much great music goes on there every week that the simple spirit of the music that has been played their and the waiting moments for the music that will be played simply cured all of my worries. Ok... maybe the rum and coke helped a little bit too, but that was just icing on the cake.
Dean Magraw and Impulso trio played at the AQ. FABULOUS! Unique line up of sax, guitar, and drums. The drummer was Jay Eptsein, a fabulous drummer who I recently met a couple of weeks ago at a concert he did with Framework at McNally Smith. He has such a unique sound and swings really hard. He is super creative, and a pleasure to listen to.
But I guess Jazz is simply my escapism music. It is like home to me... it is me..
Even as I was walking to the Artists Quarter jazz club, I still felt overwhelmed. I am going to a jazz club, I left my apartment, going to listen to an incredible jazz group, but certain thoughts, worries, etc are on my mind yet.
The moment I walk into the Arists Quarter, it was like all worries were gone. No music was playing at the time, but so much great music goes on there every week that the simple spirit of the music that has been played their and the waiting moments for the music that will be played simply cured all of my worries. Ok... maybe the rum and coke helped a little bit too, but that was just icing on the cake.
Dean Magraw and Impulso trio played at the AQ. FABULOUS! Unique line up of sax, guitar, and drums. The drummer was Jay Eptsein, a fabulous drummer who I recently met a couple of weeks ago at a concert he did with Framework at McNally Smith. He has such a unique sound and swings really hard. He is super creative, and a pleasure to listen to.
But I guess Jazz is simply my escapism music. It is like home to me... it is me..
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Music in the Twin Cities
A fun couple of days of music! Last night I went to check out Pat Dougherty and The Second Hand Opera at the acadia cafe in Minneapolis. They had a very good show, it was the best show I have seen yet from the group. I love the way the group can engage the crowd and keep them at the palm of their hands.
Great songwriting and soul from the musicians. The way they could build a song and break it down was great. They are on tour so check out their myspace page and try to catch them if they are in your area.
Today I performed at the Vocal Jazz Festival at McNally Smith. Playing with McNally's Contemporary Vocal Ensemble was a lot of fun. We played St. Thomas, Sugar, and Do You Wanna Know What I Want? The last song was a shuffle, I love to play the shuffle. A classic groove that feels SO good.
I must say the highlight though was listening to the McNally Smith faculty. Showcasing numerous faculty such as Lori Dokken, Judi Donaghy, Steve Faison, Jennifer Parker, David Schmalenberger, Sarah Burk, and more. The duet between Lori and Judi was to die for! The killed it!
The last number the faculty played was a gospel tune. I will just leave saying this.
AMEN!
Great songwriting and soul from the musicians. The way they could build a song and break it down was great. They are on tour so check out their myspace page and try to catch them if they are in your area.
Today I performed at the Vocal Jazz Festival at McNally Smith. Playing with McNally's Contemporary Vocal Ensemble was a lot of fun. We played St. Thomas, Sugar, and Do You Wanna Know What I Want? The last song was a shuffle, I love to play the shuffle. A classic groove that feels SO good.
I must say the highlight though was listening to the McNally Smith faculty. Showcasing numerous faculty such as Lori Dokken, Judi Donaghy, Steve Faison, Jennifer Parker, David Schmalenberger, Sarah Burk, and more. The duet between Lori and Judi was to die for! The killed it!
The last number the faculty played was a gospel tune. I will just leave saying this.
AMEN!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Do You Wanna Know What I Want?
"Do You Wanna Know What I Want?" is a great song I will get to perform this weekend at the McNally Smith Vocal Jazz Festival. It has one hell of a groove and I can't wait to perform with the group
If you are interested. Come check it out at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN. Other songs are the classics "St. Thomas" and "Sugar." SMOKING!
Gig starts at 4:00 in the McNally Smith Auditorium.
If you are interested. Come check it out at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN. Other songs are the classics "St. Thomas" and "Sugar." SMOKING!
Gig starts at 4:00 in the McNally Smith Auditorium.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Chicken, so raw it is fried
Check out this youtube video of this crazy band in LA. On guitar is Mike Miller, perhaps my all-time favorite guitarist, and were both from Sioux Falls, SD! Listen to his solo and how he incorporates his personal humor and wit into the music. Keep in mind the song title, "The Chicken." I don't think I have ever laughed so hard at a solo that was so awesome!
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