The advent of “blogging” has really opened a new world for me personally and I know that I am not the only one because it is a constantly growing market. Blogging is a Multi-million person market and that is just the creators of individual blogs. True that many do not maintain or continue to offer posts
Several studies indicate that most blogs are abandoned soon after creation (with 60% to 80% abandoned within one month, depending on whose figures you choose to believe) and that few are regularly updated.
The ‘average blog’ thus has the lifespan of a fruit fly. One cruel reader of this page commented that the average blog also has the intelligence of a fly. I have to agree with this comment only because many “blogs” are not well thought out but there are many out there that are.
I would like to bring some blogs and sites to your attention with the hopes that you check them out and spread the word about them. Just click on the links and it will bring you to them.
First is a great blog about new and old jazz recordings you can even listen to these recordings on the site itself. You are What you Hear
Also check this one out great bootleg videos of jazz greats.
Next is a newly found site for woodwind players specifically. This has useful information about doubling and just plain playing these instruments. He also includes great info about everyday logistical things such as purchasing instruments and many educational things as well.
Bret Pimentel, woodwinds
This next blog is specifically for my Tampa area based Jazz fans. Its a blog specifically about the scene around the Greater Tampa Bay area.
Here’s one for Florida in general
Those are just a few that I look into on occasion. Like I said before check these out and spread the word about them and if you have any of your own just comment on this post and I will be sure to post them.
Once again I leave you with a video. This one is with Dr. Lonnie Smith on organ (who along with Grant Stewart will be at the UCF/Orlando Jazz Festival March 19th and 20th) and Lou Donaldson alto sax bluesin’ it out. Enjoy!
Tags: Blog, Blogging, Blogs, Bret Pimentel, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Florida Jazz Scene, Grant Stewart, Jazz & Blues Florida, Jazz Bootleg Videos Trade, Lou Donaldson, Orlando, Tampa Jazz Scene, UCF, UCF/Orlando Jazz Festival
I realize that within every new post I do my best to attach a video and/or website as resources. As a musician and educator I find that my favorite thing to do above all else in the world is listening to music. Whenever I am speaking with musicians or even non-musicians I commonly refer to recordings or even singing tunes with and to them. Recently I have been talking with a few friends, musicians themselves, and they have brought some valuable videos and recordings to my attention. I thought I would share this new found art with you.
First of all if you
are a Saxophonist, Jazz fan, or just love music you need to check out this cat. His name is Grant Stewart and he is a New York cat with an old sound. From what I have heard thus far he is a straight ahead Bop player whether it is Be or Hard (bop) this guy can swing. Good news to you Florida residents, especially if you live in Central Florida, Grant is coming to the UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival. This year line up includes Grant on Friday March 19th and Dr. Lonnie Smith on Saturday March 20th.
I have recently downloaded the new Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra album titled “Portrait in Seven Shades.” This album features the writing of previous Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra Saxophonist Ted Nash. The writing on this album is remarkable and the playing of the band is, as per usual, great. Nash’s suite consists of seven movements, each inspired by a master of modern art who worked in the century around the apex of jazz: Chagall, Dali, Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Pollock and Van Gogh. This album can also be purchased using itunes.
This first video features Stan Getz eight months before his passing at a Tribute concert for Pete Candoli in October of 1990, Getz passed in June of 1991. Here Stan performs “Blood Count” by Billy Strayhorn and brings Pete to tears.
The Second Video features Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Stanley Clarke, Nat Adderely, and Cannonball Adderly. This is live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 and I have NEVER heard Cannonball play like this! He plays so out, and I love the way Nat Adderly is dressed. This is ‘Treux Blue, Enjoy!
Tags: Billy Strayhorn, Blood Count, Cannonball Adderly, Dexter Gordon, Grant Stewart, Jazz, Montreux, Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival 1973, Music, Nat Adderly, Pete Candoli Tribute, Pete Condoli, Stan Getz, Stanley Clarke, Treux Blue, UCF, UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival
I have been meaning to get this post up for about two weeks now…. I have recently been teaching a lot of students with a wide range of abilities, mostly with the jazz band I teach, but also in some master classes at local high schools here in Hillsborough.
While teaching these master classes I have had many students ask me about the higher range of the saxophone, commonly referred to as the Altissimo range.
Saxophone altissimo is generally considered to be any note that is higher than written high F# which is considered to be the highest note in the saxophones regular range. Altissimo is produced by the player using various voicing techniques such as air stream, tongue, throat and embouchure variations to disturb the fundamental of a note which results in one of the higher overtones dominating.
I personally do not use Altissimo in my playing very often. Altissimo is something that I have yet to study and I feel that I need to keep on working on playing the notes I know let alone add notes to this range.
I do realize that many of my students do want to know more about this so I told them that I would post some ideas and areas to start looking.
Here’s a great site for fingerings which is half of the battle: http://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-altissimo.html
Be sure to check out the side panel for other great info about common saxophone licks and tricks.
Also: http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/sax/
Overall if you are a Saxophonist at any level and you have not signed up for this site you are surely missing out on a invaluable resource.
Get on it today!
If anyone has anything to add please comment and I will be sure to revise or add to this list.
Here is just a small example of Altissimo and Multiphonics in use, enjoy!
Tags: Altissimo, Brecker, Delta City Blues, Michael Brecker, Sax, Sax on the Web, Sax on the Web forum, Saxontheweb, Saxonthewebforum, Saxophone
I apologize for the leave of absence I have taken with this site. This past year and a half has been one for the ages. I have graduated from the University of South Florida (once again) with a second Bachelors Degree. A Bachelors of Science in Music Education. I am currently working on getting certified in the State of Florida to teach K-12 music.
This past Tuesday January 19th I auditioned for Chris Vadala the Saxophone professor at the University of Maryland. I want to continue my education in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance. I have three more auditions lined up for the month of February at the University of Northern Colorado, University of Central Florida, and University of South Florida.
Now on to the good stuff. I once again attended the Florida Music Educators Conference in Tampa, Florida and I was pleased with many of the clinics presented. After completing my Internship I feel that I have a deeper understanding as to why some of these concepts are important in a “real world” setting. I attended many more Elementary music clinics than I did in years previous and I felt a much more real connection with the material being presented. There were many more clinics on Jazz, presented by Al Hager, Jack Wilkins, and Don Zentz. Don Zentz has a great site with a lot of great material for beginning jazz educators to advanced educators. Zentz.org
To cap off check out this great video of Miles Davis and Kenny Garrett playing Michael Jackson’s Human Nature great stuff!!!!
Tags: Chris Vadala, Don Zentz, Education, Florida Music Educators' Association, FMEA, FMEA Conference, Human Nature, Jazz, Jazz Education, Kenny Garrett, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson's Human Nature, Miles Davis, University of Central Florida, University of Maryland, University of Northern Colorado, University of South Florida, USF
WMNF Tropical Heatwave 2009
Lately, I’ve been on a Trombone kick.
This past weekend I attended the eclectic WMNF Tropical Heatwave music festival in YBOR city. I attended the festival last year and made sure to mark my calendar for this years event. If you have never been to this festival I strongly recommend attending. This festival has music of all genres and you are guaranteed to find something new/ something old that you like.
I was particularly excited for this years event, specifically because of two bands: Bonerama, and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue .
I had previously heard of Bonerama, but had never heard of Trombone Shorty; Boy was I in for a treat!
Trombone Shorty and his band of young yet amazing musicians took the stage and left it on fire. I was thoroughly impressed not only with the playing of these musicians but of the music and arrangements they were playing. Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is very acquainted with the Trombone. He comes from New Orleans and has music in his blood (Some of you might know his cousin Lenny Kravitz). Not only is he familiar with the Trombone but I was in shock when he picked up a Trumpet. He is just as virtuosic on Trumpet as he is on Trombone. He can go high, he can go low, and he’s got CHOPS!!!! He’s Legit.
Along with his playing I was equally impressed with each one of the members of his band Orleans Avenue. He had a nineteen year old Tenor Saxophonist that was incredible. The Band has many musical style influences including Hip-Hop, Rock, and Funk. They call it Supafunkrock and insist that this high octane style is the future. Click Here to check out the videography. Check this band out you will be pleased!!!!!
Bonerama then took the stage. I was pleased with their performance as well. They are more “straight ahead” rock and their arrangements were a little less involved than that of Trombone Shorty but they were still really good.
Bonerama
My View of Bonerama
Tags: Bonerama, Funk, Heatwave, Jazz, Jazz Trombone, Lenny Kravitz, Music, Rock n Roll, Supafunkrock, Trombone, Trombone Shorty, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Tropical Heatwave, WMNF, WMNF Tropical Heatwave, YBOR
So I’ve been at this blog thing for about half a year so far and I must say that I really do enjoy it when I find time to do it. Along with my personal blogging I really enjoy reading what others are saying. There are a ton of interesting bloggers out there and I thought I would share some with you.
For instance I found Chris Potters blog the other day and I really found it interesting. Chris Potter You Are What You Hear
The Bad Plus Blog: Do The Math
Darcy James Argue’s Blog: Secret Society
A Blog about rare and Out of Print Music:Destination Out
Now those are all “serious” blogs that I try to keep up with but there are a few that I read for the shear fun of it.
Mark Titus’s blog: A blog from a Ohio State Buckeye’s bench warmer for the basketball team. Club Trillion
An animal blog: F*** You Penguin EXPLETIVE WARNING!!! but pretty obnoxious
Along with all of these blogs I keep tabs on many of my personal friends blogs. Some are “serious” and some are a place where they can express themselves. Either way it’s a great way to connect and find new things to ponder.
Frank Maganello’s Blog: Son Of Orpheus An old High School friend and his ramblings of everyday life as he goes through the music program at George Mason University.
Rich VanVoorst’s Blog: Rich VanVoorst A very dear friend of mine. He is a Saxophonist and Composer currently in the Tampa Bay Area. He’s the one who really got me started with this whole blogging thing.
Bonnie VanVoorst’s Blog: Bonnie VanVoorst Another dear friend of mine and her ramblings of her life as an artist.
Alex “sometimes Victor” Delgado’s Blog: Delgadofication A percussionist I know that is currently attending Graduate school at Boston Conservatory.
Miguel Benitez Jr’s Blog: Student Apologist An old friend from high school’s thoughts, ideas, and journeys as he tries to figure out “faith”
Matthew Wengerd’s Blog: Matthew Wengerd A bassist and professional from Lakeland Fl.
Check out this Video from his site… ***WARNING: VULGAR**
Tags: Blog, Blogging, Charles Mingus, Chris Potter, Darcy James Argue, Matthew Wengerd, Rich VanVoorst, The Bad Plus
WUSF Television had an awesome special on the other day I believe it was coverage of the Rochestor International Jazz Festival. Of course with my luck I only caught about the last fifteen minutes of it. I was able to catch Slide Hampton, who I have seen before….Live… none the less, he is a living Jazz legend and such a unique player that I am always up for listening to him. But, what intrigued me the most was a set with two female trombonist. I went and researched and found out what their group was named…. The Sliding Hammers. What a phenomenal group!!!! These ladies could really swing.
This brought a very interesting question into my mind. Other than Vocalists and Pianists, I really do not know of very many female Jazz Musicians. Of course
Ingrid Jensen
I know of some of the more famous people such as Ingrid Jensen, Maria Schneider, and Terri Lyne Carrington. But, I do not feel that I know of too many others, and even so they do not come to mind as quickly as Miles Davis , Chris Potter, and John Coltrane. Personally when a woman can really “swing” it is one of the most attractive, sexiest things around!!! I think most would agree.
So I figured I would turn to you all and see what other female non-pianists, non-vocalists; Jazz musicians I should check out. Any Ideas? Make a comment, I’ll post videos of them here for all to enjoy.
For now here is a video that illustrates the many talents of The Sliding Hammers.
Tags: Chris Potter, Female Jazz Musicians, Ingrid Jensen, Jazz, John Coltrane, Maria Schneider, Miles Davis, Rochestor International Jazz Festival, Slide Hampton, Terri Lyne Carrington, The Sliding Hammers, WUSF
I’m Back!!!!
I am officially an Alumnus of the University of South Florida!!!!
I graduated with my Bachelors of Music in Jazz Performance. (The only Undergrad receiving this degree this semester)
Right before I graduated I completed my Arrangement of Yardbird Suite for my Jazz Comp/Arranging Class. Talk about working under pressure. Note to self: do not procrastinate on writing music ever again. A big thanks goes out to Chuck for putting up with my shenannigans!
I must say that it is a bitter sweet feeling graduating from college. I have really learned a lot at USF and really appreciate all the great teachers I had there. People like Jack Wilkins, Chuck Owen, and Tom Brantley were really great to me and really have mentored me through the past five years.
Besides great Professors I had plenty of good friends that were along for the ride with me.
The next step for me is a bit hazy. I am currently looking at a potential band director position. I am really excited about the oppritunity if it works out. If it does not work out it looks like I will stay here in Tampa and take the internship in the fall to complete my Music Education degree. In the spring I will take auditions at various Graduate Schools and see what is availiable for me.
All of the Interns at Graduation (I was an honorary intern : ) thanks guys!!)
Tags: Chuck Owen, Graduation, Jack Wilkins, Tom Brantley, USF
So yeah…. I haven’t posted in a while…. sorry : (
As many of you know I have been working full time at a middle school here in Tampa. This along with my Senior Jazz Recital (a post with recordings and hopefully video will come soon!!!) which was a week and a half ago has severely cut into my free time.
Down to the point of this post.
I have learned a ton during this Internship. My cooperating teacher is awesome and she is really teaching me a lot about being an everyday music educator. This is my fourth or fifth (they seem to run together now) week in the internship and I’ve been teaching since the second day. I am suprised about one thing in particular though. I have learned nothing musical during this Internship.
Now I’ve been criticized my whole college career because I didn’t play in the USF Wind Ensemble. Many have been quoted as saying “John Rodriguez, He thinks he’s going to be a good High School Band Director?, and He hasn’t even played in the Wind Ensemble?” First off let me dispel many rumors. Yes I have never played in the Wind Ensemble. Did I want to? of course I wanted to I just wasn’t able to squeeze it in sorry, I was taking double the course load so I could get two degrees. Although I did play clarinet in the Concert Band, and most of my Junior recital consisted of classical saxophone literature. Is this enough to make up for the lack of taking Wind Ensemble…No! but it’s a start. I’ve also made a conscious effort to learn what I can from my peers about Wind band literature along with listening to tons of recordings and reading a few books on the subject ( Teaching Band & Orchestra, by Lynn G. Cooper/ and Teaching Music Through the Performance in Band, by Richard Miles… anyone?) Some may think it’s irresponsible but I believe to build a well rounded program you should have experience in many different fields. I’ve taught Marching Band and I feel that I am above par on that, along with my Jazz knowledge and even my little bit of Wind Band knowledge I think I’ve blanketed many subjects and done what I can to become a good band director. There are many out there getting a Music Education Degree that know absolutely zilch about Jazz and Jazz Band. I feel this is irresponsible.
But off of my relevant tangent and back to my point…
The things I’ve learned during my internship have nothing to do with music. For a guy that is supposed to fail with Wind Band music I feel I’m doing pretty well with it. I have learned more about life, and the administrative/disciplinary side of being a band director than the musical aspect. It is interesting to me how little I know about actually being a good band director. This is stuff they don’t teach you in school. Classroom management has been a huge deal for me this term. I thought I had it all together, which I do, on the marching field but when it comes to 50 or so middle school children I found my classroom management skills were below average. I hate… hate disciplining students but they need and beg for it much of the time. As my cooperating teacher says “it’s all about the consequences….”
Along with low classroom management skills I had an incident occur in my Advanced Band this past Tuesday. I had a student pass out!?!?!?!?!?!?!
My heart skipped a beat! Thank Goodness my cooperating teacher was there and the student was fine after about ten or so minutes of being on the floor. It was the last class of the day and my teacher had to go fill out a report so I dismissed the students and sat alone thinking and wondering what would of happened if she had not been there. I’m pretty sure I would have been fine but it is still a scary thought to entertain. I began to realized that I have no training in dealing with situations like this. I quickly Googled CPR training and I’m going to get certified. But might I recommend to all of my friends out there that are aspiring educators, think about this kind of stuff and take it seriously. There are plenty of resources available to you. Take a CPR, or First Aid class; many of them are cheap or even free. It really can save a life! Our role as a teacher extends far beyond being an educator and it is this part of the job that I take very serious. Many times you are a friend, parent, mentor, and even a life saver (metaphorically and literally).
First Aid Kit Checklist for the Classroom
Tags: Band, Band Director, CPR, Education, First Aid, Internship, Music
