As someone who is a working instrumentalist and a working arranger, one of the biggest problems I see with nearly every band today is a book full of ill-fitting orchestrations. A band playing a chart that doesn't fit them is like a person wearing a suit that isn't their size. ...
Communication is a critical component of the success of a big band, and without, a band can easily crash and burn, or at the least, waste a lot of time and goodwill. Difference between "jazz" and a "jazz orchestra" “Jazz” implies improvisation and spontanaeity. This is often true in the ...
Before we get going here, let's get one thing out of the way. If you have an opinion of Robin Thicke, get it out of your system right now, because this case isn't about him. He's creepy. Fine. Are we done smugging it up about how much better we are ...
I got an email today promoting the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, a 4-day event located in Rockville, Maryland in mid-February. I hadn't heard of the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, but the roster looked pretty good. I was mainly intrigued by their first annual "'Jazz Voice' Vocal Competition." I am not a singer, ...
The story involving the Dolphins, the NFL, and locker room bullying has been written about extensively. Some good stuff was put out by Ta-Nehisi Coates, who is always worth reading before anyone else. I did a clinic for a high school jazz band a week ago. The kids were great ...
Almost every young student I've ever taught has asked me about the feasibility of having a career in music. And most of them are already discouraged by family, friends, even other teachers. They think that the only viable options are to play your instrument, or teach, and that both pay ...
