Meaning, Truth, and Understanding

     People ask me why Meaning, Truth, and Understanding for a CD title? I view these words as being important to our metaphysical and cognitive existence. Meaning is one`s purpose or intention. As an artist I believe the role of an artist is to create, preserve, and promote the art that an artist participates. I am passionate about post-bop jazz, and enjoy playing avant-garde jazz and free jazz. Based upon the definition of Meaning, my artistic purpose or intention is to expand the music`s repertoire, and provide continued performances of post-bop, and avant-garde jazz well into the 21st century.

     Three pieces from Meaning, Truth, and Understanding are great examples of  "Meaning". If Meaning is purpose or intent, Black Men Used As Guinea Pigs, and Side Effects are intended to be outright post-bop pieces. Both pieces are apart of a hard driving acoustic jazz tradition. Black Men Used As Guinea Pigs has modal material that creates tension, and goes into bop chordal progressions, while Side Effects is post-bop with a hard-bop spirit. Cycle Of Life is an avant-garde jazz piece in performance. Yes, Cycle Of Life is post-bop, but my solo on the recording is avant-garde with  a hard blowing approach, and multiphonics produced by the tenor saxophone.

     If one reads my bio (http://www.keithgamblemusic.com/), it should be clear I perform in a number of genres. I enjoy all the genres I play and teach: Classical (Western Art Music), Gospel, Pop/Top 40s cover, Big Band, Saxophone Ensemble, Concert Band/Wind Symphony, Reggae, Motown, and Funk, but my true passion is Jazz. Specifically post-bop and avant-garde jazz. Is Meaning, Truth, and Understanding a genuine post-bop, or avant-garde jazz recording? No. Clearly Meaning, Truth, and Understanding has post-bop compositions such as Black Men Used As Guinea Pigs, and Side Effects, and an avant-garde jazz piece with Cycle Of Life, but what about February Spring? I will leave that for the listener to decide.

     Although Meaning, Truth, and Understanding is not 100% post-bop, or avant-garde jazz, Meaning, Truth, and Understanding does remain loyal to the jazz genre. Right Hemisphere deviates from the acoustic jazz tradition with the use of an electric bass and keyboard, but conforms to a jazz standard. As for February Spring, and Good and Evil, I will leave it up to you; the listener to afix a proper labeling.

     Wynton Marsalis said it best - "jazz does not come to you; you have to go too it". I think that describe Meaning, Truth, and Understanding. You, the listener has to bring forth a musical intelligence. Based upon your prior knowledge of art, culture, jazz, and music, what is your perception of this recording? What insight can you share with the rest of us? That`s "Understanding".