Just the other day I came across an online article from Pop Dose (an online arts and culture e-magazine), and it gave its list of 10 jazz albums in its article titled "10 Essential Albums For Starting A Jazz Collection". I think they gave a pretty good list of albums that covers the historical aspect of jazz to our present day. It is really great to see this article, because there are important jazz recordings that have a significant impact on jazz and cultural around the world. Pop Dose picked the following as there 10 essential albums:
10. Louis Armstrong - The Complete Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings, vol. 1
9. Dizzy Gillespie - Groovin` High
8. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
7. Bill Evans - The Complete Live At the Village Vanguard 1961
6. The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out
5. Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners
4. Wes Montgomery - The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
3. The Mahavishnu Orchestra - The Inner Mounting Flame
2. Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um
1. Robert Glasper - Double Booked
Not a bad list; some I agree with, and some I do not. You are probably saying the same. You can see and read Pop Dose`s 10 Essentials list for yourself by going to www.stumbleupon.com/su/1zj6wI/popdose.com/10-essential-albums-for-starting-a-jazz-collection/. After reading this on-line article I began asking myself about my 10 essential recordings.
My list of 10 essential albums for starting a jazz collection was very difficult to decide upon, because that number is much greater then 10. In making my selection of 10 I left-off some jewels. The list I am giving of my choice of 10 albums are not necessarily in a most to least order, but these are significant recordings in my development as a jazz artist and saxophonist, and music I enjoy personally:
* Ascension - John Coltrane
* Inner Urge - Joe Henderson
* Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock
* Giant Steps - John Coltrane
* Impressions - John Coltrane
* The Prisoner - Herbie Hancock
* E.S.P - Miles Davis
* A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
* Sorcerer - Miles Davis
* Nefertiti - Miles Davis
Missing from both list above are recordings from Charlie Parker. Make no mistake about it, the music of Charlie Parker is very essential to the development of jazz, and anyone starting a collection should add recordings of Charlie Parker to your collection.
What are your 10 essential albums for starting a jazz collection? Please let me know by sharing in the comment section of this blog. Who knows, maybe I will share your favorites to our readers.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: How Do I Get My Kid A Saxophone For Cheap?
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: How Do I Get My Kid A Saxophone For Cheap?: Hey, wait a minute; I don`t want to spend a lot of money for a saxophone my nine year old fourth grade child may not be playing in a ye...
How Do I Get My Kid A Saxophone For Cheap?
Hey, wait a minute; I don`t want to spend a lot of money for a saxophone my nine year old fourth grade child may not be playing in a year! That sentiment is understandable for families struggling economically, or working to stay within a house hold budget. Some of you may decide to pick-up a saxophone from a pawnshop, go online for something cheap, or go to a discount store, such as Walmart or Costco. If your child plays for a year or two I suppose you may have cut your losses, and kept your expenses low, but what happens if your child chooses to continue playing saxophone?
A cheap saxophone will cost you more in repairs, and cause other issues that can be an impediment to the joy and musical growth of your child playing music. There are appropriate options that can save you money, and allow your child to experience the fun, and develop a passion for playing saxophone. When shopping for a saxophone for your child, I recommend going to an established music store in your area. Your local music store is a great resource, and is staffed by people knowledgeable in musical instruments, equipment, and musical materials and supplies. Though more expensive, music stores offer rental and rent-to-own programs that can get a saxophone into the hands of your child, and provide service expertise to keep your child`s saxophone in excellent playing condition.
Parents, also consider the brand of saxophone you are purchasing. In your desire to go as cheap as possible, you may in the process purchase a saxophone from an unrecognized saxophone name or maker. Many instrument repair technicians will simply refuse to service a cheap, or unrecognized brand name instrument. In other words, you could find yourself spending more money having to purchase another saxophone to replace the cheap saxophone that cannot be service.
Look, if your child wants to play saxophone, unless you have a relative giving you a saxophone, you are going to spend some money. Do it the right way! Go to an established music store in your area, and ask about the various programs the store has to offer that can get your child playing. Look for a recognized brand name such as Yamaha. Other student line saxophone brand names to look for are Vito, Beuscher, and Jupiter.
Do your homework, and have a general idea of what you are looking for. So, what are you looking for? You are looking for a student model saxophone. This is important, parents. In the saxophone community we have student line saxophones, intermediate line saxophones, and professional line saxophones. If your child is in elementary school you want a student model saxophone. You are also looking for a student line saxophone from an establish saxophone maker, such as Yamaha. Finally, you want to get your child`s instrument from a reputable music store in your community. A reputable music store can offer you a purchase or finance program that works with your family budget, and will be there for you to provide the services you and your child will need.
A cheap saxophone will cost you more in repairs, and cause other issues that can be an impediment to the joy and musical growth of your child playing music. There are appropriate options that can save you money, and allow your child to experience the fun, and develop a passion for playing saxophone. When shopping for a saxophone for your child, I recommend going to an established music store in your area. Your local music store is a great resource, and is staffed by people knowledgeable in musical instruments, equipment, and musical materials and supplies. Though more expensive, music stores offer rental and rent-to-own programs that can get a saxophone into the hands of your child, and provide service expertise to keep your child`s saxophone in excellent playing condition.
Parents, also consider the brand of saxophone you are purchasing. In your desire to go as cheap as possible, you may in the process purchase a saxophone from an unrecognized saxophone name or maker. Many instrument repair technicians will simply refuse to service a cheap, or unrecognized brand name instrument. In other words, you could find yourself spending more money having to purchase another saxophone to replace the cheap saxophone that cannot be service.
Look, if your child wants to play saxophone, unless you have a relative giving you a saxophone, you are going to spend some money. Do it the right way! Go to an established music store in your area, and ask about the various programs the store has to offer that can get your child playing. Look for a recognized brand name such as Yamaha. Other student line saxophone brand names to look for are Vito, Beuscher, and Jupiter.
Do your homework, and have a general idea of what you are looking for. So, what are you looking for? You are looking for a student model saxophone. This is important, parents. In the saxophone community we have student line saxophones, intermediate line saxophones, and professional line saxophones. If your child is in elementary school you want a student model saxophone. You are also looking for a student line saxophone from an establish saxophone maker, such as Yamaha. Finally, you want to get your child`s instrument from a reputable music store in your community. A reputable music store can offer you a purchase or finance program that works with your family budget, and will be there for you to provide the services you and your child will need.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: CNN Ideas Series: What Is Jazz?
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: CNN Ideas Series: What Is Jazz?: I came upon a tweet by All About Jazz entitled What Is Jazz?, by Jonathan Batiste, Special to CNN (12/28/12). In the on-line article on...
CNN Ideas Series: What Is Jazz?
I came upon a tweet by All About Jazz entitled What Is Jazz?, by Jonathan Batiste, Special to CNN (12/28/12). In the on-line article on CNN Opinion, Jonathan Batiste says "jazz is the musical language used to state our deepest, truest feelings". Batiste says "jazz is subtle, emotional and accommodating. It is intellectual and sometimes even scientific. Most genres of music are not nearly as multidimensional, which in part is why the art form has such a small audience." Batiste goes on to say the challenge for jazz artist is to make the subtle and complex art of jazz more palatable to the general public.
As you read further Batiste has a reason for his words. I think Batiste is on target with his affective view of jazz audiences, but I cannot fully agree with Batiste on jazz artist needing to make jazz more palatable to the general public. Jazz musicians need to continue being an artist. There are many genres under the jazz umbrella, and yes, I think Batiste is correct that Soft Jazz musicians are performing in a genre where they can be palatable, and attract a large general public into their tent, and they should. Jazz artist performing Bebop, Post-Bop, Avant Garde Jazz, and other jazz forms are typically focused on maintaining the artistry and integrity of that music.
Jazz is complex. Batiste says "it`s complex and traditional but also contemporary". Batiste says jazz is traditional and contemporary, is that a contradiction? No. Jazz is traditional, and it has to be. Jazz is an established art form with a history and tradition that begins with 19th Century African-American musicians from New Orleans. Practitioners today perform music of those early pioneers, while others specialize in jazz styles such as, swing, bop, and other jazz styles. In other words, jazz musicians are culture bearers that keep alive our jazz history. Jazz is also contemporary, with young and innovative musicians creating new and popular forms of jazz, and introducing new audiences to jazz. However, those young and innovative jazz musicians learn the artistic language from those historical pioneers of jazz.
What is the Jazz Tradition? Batiste goes on to point-out that being in the jazz tradition, you are apart of a lineage of musicians who contribute to world history by transforming people with the sounds of our instruments. Batiste also says we are challenged to swing, and contribute to a body of work already established by great jazz artist.
Does the CNN article answer the question - What Is Jazz? No. Kind of what Louis Armstrong said - "If you have to ask, you`ll never know." The question is not answered for that reason, and Jonathan Batiste gives no definitive answers either, but instead he goes on to promote his "Stay Human Movement". Batiste`s Stay Human Movement is about experiencing music. Batiste says music you can feel on the "subway and streets". Expanding and shifting the jazz experience to uplift humanity. What is the jazz experience? The jazz experience is about the moment. As Batiste firmly believes, we as jazz artist have to create that unforgettable experience for our audience.
Check-out the article for yourself by going to www.cnn.com/2012/12/26/opinion/batiste-what-is-jazz/index.html.
As you read further Batiste has a reason for his words. I think Batiste is on target with his affective view of jazz audiences, but I cannot fully agree with Batiste on jazz artist needing to make jazz more palatable to the general public. Jazz musicians need to continue being an artist. There are many genres under the jazz umbrella, and yes, I think Batiste is correct that Soft Jazz musicians are performing in a genre where they can be palatable, and attract a large general public into their tent, and they should. Jazz artist performing Bebop, Post-Bop, Avant Garde Jazz, and other jazz forms are typically focused on maintaining the artistry and integrity of that music.
Jazz is complex. Batiste says "it`s complex and traditional but also contemporary". Batiste says jazz is traditional and contemporary, is that a contradiction? No. Jazz is traditional, and it has to be. Jazz is an established art form with a history and tradition that begins with 19th Century African-American musicians from New Orleans. Practitioners today perform music of those early pioneers, while others specialize in jazz styles such as, swing, bop, and other jazz styles. In other words, jazz musicians are culture bearers that keep alive our jazz history. Jazz is also contemporary, with young and innovative musicians creating new and popular forms of jazz, and introducing new audiences to jazz. However, those young and innovative jazz musicians learn the artistic language from those historical pioneers of jazz.
What is the Jazz Tradition? Batiste goes on to point-out that being in the jazz tradition, you are apart of a lineage of musicians who contribute to world history by transforming people with the sounds of our instruments. Batiste also says we are challenged to swing, and contribute to a body of work already established by great jazz artist.
Does the CNN article answer the question - What Is Jazz? No. Kind of what Louis Armstrong said - "If you have to ask, you`ll never know." The question is not answered for that reason, and Jonathan Batiste gives no definitive answers either, but instead he goes on to promote his "Stay Human Movement". Batiste`s Stay Human Movement is about experiencing music. Batiste says music you can feel on the "subway and streets". Expanding and shifting the jazz experience to uplift humanity. What is the jazz experience? The jazz experience is about the moment. As Batiste firmly believes, we as jazz artist have to create that unforgettable experience for our audience.
Check-out the article for yourself by going to www.cnn.com/2012/12/26/opinion/batiste-what-is-jazz/index.html.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering: Year In Review...
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering: Year In Review...: Wow, can you believe we`re almost done with this year! 2012 has been an exciting year for Keith Gamble Music. This year Keith Gamble Mu...
Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering: Year In Review
Wow, can you believe we`re almost done with this year! 2012 has been an exciting year for Keith Gamble Music. This year Keith Gamble Music introduced its Art House Gathering series, starting with our April 21, Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering: Bird, at the Phoenix Cafe' in Hazel Park, MI. Those in attendance joined me in celebrating the music of Charlie Parker, as I played Charlie Parker pieces, while guess were treated to coffee and cake. Our second gathering on August 11, was quite successful. Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering: Poetry Night saw a larger audience, as I played and premiered first time performed and new avant-garde jazz works. Poetry Night also reunited me with urban folk poet Wardell Montgomery, Jr. Vocalist DeAngela McKinney as took to the stage.
Finishing our Art House Gathering series for 2012, is our Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering, on December 15, at the International Institute, in Detroit. Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering: Sarah Felton Art Exhibit will not take place. In preparing for the Sarah Felton Art Exhibit I discovered Sarah Felton is no longer an art major, but has changed her major to criminal justice. Of course I am happy for Sarah`s decision, and wish her well with great success, but Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering series is promoting active arts and cultural activities. Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering will feature my compositions performed by my jazz ensemble, Christmas songs sung by DeAngela McKinney, Christmas dinner, and of course, coffee and cake.
Those of you who attend my Christmas gathering will be treated to a post-bop jazz set list that include some special pieces I have composed. "Arrival of Shakan" is a piece dedicated to my wife - Patricia Gamble. Patricia has written comic strips that have appeared in Wayne State University`s South End newspaper back in the early 90`s called "Shakan - Zulu Warrior". "Arrival of Shakan" is dedicated to my wife`s important creative efforts. Earlier this month at the Rochester Hills Public Library, in Rochester, MI, my group and I performed "Talking". This composition received a lot of buzz, with people in the audience requesting to purchase a recording of this piece. "Talking" has not been recorded yet, but it is a piece in my repertoire. I will record "Talking" on my next CD.
Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering will feature the premiere performance of "Partnerships". You will want to be in the audience to hear this intricate post-bop jazz piece that has me playing flute."Partnerships" is a work you are sure to enjoy. We will end the evening with "Street Corner". Be ready to rock in your seats, on get on the floor and dance to this funk/fusion jazz composition I composed for the PC Jenkins play When Mama Cries Why?
Looking forward to seeing you on December 15, 2012, at my Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering, at the International Institute, at 111 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI. 48202. Tickets are $10.00 at the door, and $8.00 in advance. You can purchase advance tickets by going to Waltham Street Music Publishing at Paypal.
Finishing our Art House Gathering series for 2012, is our Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering, on December 15, at the International Institute, in Detroit. Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering: Sarah Felton Art Exhibit will not take place. In preparing for the Sarah Felton Art Exhibit I discovered Sarah Felton is no longer an art major, but has changed her major to criminal justice. Of course I am happy for Sarah`s decision, and wish her well with great success, but Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering series is promoting active arts and cultural activities. Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering will feature my compositions performed by my jazz ensemble, Christmas songs sung by DeAngela McKinney, Christmas dinner, and of course, coffee and cake.
Those of you who attend my Christmas gathering will be treated to a post-bop jazz set list that include some special pieces I have composed. "Arrival of Shakan" is a piece dedicated to my wife - Patricia Gamble. Patricia has written comic strips that have appeared in Wayne State University`s South End newspaper back in the early 90`s called "Shakan - Zulu Warrior". "Arrival of Shakan" is dedicated to my wife`s important creative efforts. Earlier this month at the Rochester Hills Public Library, in Rochester, MI, my group and I performed "Talking". This composition received a lot of buzz, with people in the audience requesting to purchase a recording of this piece. "Talking" has not been recorded yet, but it is a piece in my repertoire. I will record "Talking" on my next CD.
Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering will feature the premiere performance of "Partnerships". You will want to be in the audience to hear this intricate post-bop jazz piece that has me playing flute."Partnerships" is a work you are sure to enjoy. We will end the evening with "Street Corner". Be ready to rock in your seats, on get on the floor and dance to this funk/fusion jazz composition I composed for the PC Jenkins play When Mama Cries Why?
Looking forward to seeing you on December 15, 2012, at my Keith Gamble`s Christmas Art House Gathering, at the International Institute, at 111 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI. 48202. Tickets are $10.00 at the door, and $8.00 in advance. You can purchase advance tickets by going to Waltham Street Music Publishing at Paypal.
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