On Monday, October 5, 2015, Paul Keller`s 15 piece orchestra is performing "A Farewell Tribute To Phil Woods". This tribute is for a saxophone great who has contributed so much in the world of music, and will be truly missed in the jazz community.
Those of us in jazz were sadden to hear the passing of alto saxophone great Phil Woods, who died on September 29, 2015, at age 83, in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, due to complications from emphysema. For more than 60 years Phil Woods performed in the jazz mainstream.
Phil Woods gave his last performance on September 4, 2015, in Pittsburgh. In his performance with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Woods performed "Charlie Parker With Strings". A reporter with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Woods struggled with emphysema, and was retiring.
Phil Woods began saxophone with encouragement from his mother upon the death of his father who left his saxophone for Phil. Phil Woods would go on to be influenced by alto saxophonist Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges, with Phil Woods biggest influence being Charlie Parker.
More than 50 albums to his credit as a leader, Phil Woods has also performed with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Clark Terry. Phil Woods has also won Grammy Awards, and voted top alto saxophonist nearly 30 times in Downbeat magazine`s readers` poll. In 2007, Phil Woods was named a National Endowment For The Arts Jazz Master.
Join the Paul Keller Orchestra as he and his orchestra pay tribute to salute the late jazz great Phil Woods on Monday, October 5, 2015, at Zal Gaz Grotto, 2070 West Stadium Boulevard, in Ann Arbor, MI. Paul Keller and his orchestra will also be joined by alto saxophonist Doug Horn to celebrate a jazz great.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Advocates For The Tenor Saxophone
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Advocates For The Tenor Saxophone: As a member of the saxophone family the tenor saxophone is a medium sized instrument within that family of musical instruments. Pitched...
Advocates For The Tenor Saxophone
As a member of the saxophone family the tenor saxophone is a medium sized instrument within that family of musical instruments. Pitched in Bb the tenor saxophone is a transposing instrument, and along with the alto saxophone is one of the most commonly played saxophones. In jazz tenor saxophone is much loved, and very well received, but in classical music the same cannot be said. Saxophonist such as Frederick Hemke, James Houlik, and John Moore have spent time focusing and performing on tenor saxophone as a classical solo instrument.
Classical tenor saxophone recordings make-up a small portion of classical saxophone repertoire and discography. In orchestral music tenor saxophone is heard in Maurice Ravel`s Bolero. Classical recordings of tenor saxophone represent a very small number of classical or concert saxophone recordings, which is dominated by recordings for alto and soprano saxophones. Though generally not heard in classical music, tenor saxophone can be found in concert bands, chamber music, and solo performances. Tenor saxophone can also be heard in military bands, marching bands, and is ubiquitous in jazz ensembles, as well as popular bands and genres.
Saxophonist Frederick Hemke advocated for tenor saxophone back in 1971 by focusing on tenor saxophone as a solo instrument. Frederick Hemke has two LP recordings that are performed on tenor saxophone:
1. The American Saxophonist
2.Music For Tenor Saxophone
If you ever get an opportunity to hear Hemke`s Tenor Saxophone Index on The American Saxophonist LP or CD, it will give you an appreciation for tenor saxophone in classical music. Tenor Saxophone Index is a collection of 15 pieces written of performed by Frederick Hemke on tenor saxophone. Other names to look for in concert tenor saxophone are James Houlik, and John Moore.
James Houlik is considered to be the leading performer on concert tenor saxophone in the world. James Houlik advocates for the tenor saxophone by focusing on tenor saxophone exclusively. James Houlik has inspired over 85 concert compositions written for tenor saxophone, which includes solos, chamber works, and concerto compositions. John Moore has performed as a member of The Trio, Trio Bel Canto, Aeolian Saxophone Quartet, The Saxophone Sinfonia, New York Chamber Saxophones, and the New Sousa Band. Both James Houlik and John Moore are currently Professors of Saxophone at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and University of Louisville, respectively.
Classical tenor saxophone recordings make-up a small portion of classical saxophone repertoire and discography. In orchestral music tenor saxophone is heard in Maurice Ravel`s Bolero. Classical recordings of tenor saxophone represent a very small number of classical or concert saxophone recordings, which is dominated by recordings for alto and soprano saxophones. Though generally not heard in classical music, tenor saxophone can be found in concert bands, chamber music, and solo performances. Tenor saxophone can also be heard in military bands, marching bands, and is ubiquitous in jazz ensembles, as well as popular bands and genres.
Saxophonist Frederick Hemke advocated for tenor saxophone back in 1971 by focusing on tenor saxophone as a solo instrument. Frederick Hemke has two LP recordings that are performed on tenor saxophone:
1. The American Saxophonist
2.Music For Tenor Saxophone
If you ever get an opportunity to hear Hemke`s Tenor Saxophone Index on The American Saxophonist LP or CD, it will give you an appreciation for tenor saxophone in classical music. Tenor Saxophone Index is a collection of 15 pieces written of performed by Frederick Hemke on tenor saxophone. Other names to look for in concert tenor saxophone are James Houlik, and John Moore.
James Houlik is considered to be the leading performer on concert tenor saxophone in the world. James Houlik advocates for the tenor saxophone by focusing on tenor saxophone exclusively. James Houlik has inspired over 85 concert compositions written for tenor saxophone, which includes solos, chamber works, and concerto compositions. John Moore has performed as a member of The Trio, Trio Bel Canto, Aeolian Saxophone Quartet, The Saxophone Sinfonia, New York Chamber Saxophones, and the New Sousa Band. Both James Houlik and John Moore are currently Professors of Saxophone at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and University of Louisville, respectively.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Unfortunately
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Unfortunately: In music "unfortunately" is a word you do not want to hear. "Unfortunately" means you did not get the gig, or your ...
Unfortunately
In music "unfortunately" is a word you do not want to hear. "Unfortunately" means you did not get the gig, or your group will not have an opportunity to perform for that show. No one wants to hear that word, but it is a reality of what we do. Music is a series of yes and no answers to getting that gig, and notice I said "that gig". Music is generally one gig at a time. That is just the music business for musicians. Sure, from time to time we are fortunate to secure multiple performance dates, and even secure long-term opportunities; that happens, and we should consider ourselves blessed to secure those opportunities, but for the most part it is only one gig at a time. No, we are not guaranteed gigs/jobs. Music is a feast or famine profession.
All we can do as musicians is do our best by being at rehearsals on time, practice the music and our instruments, and be ready for the gig. Hopefully, doing what I have mentioned will lead to a successful performance, with many more to come. However, "unfortunately" is a reality of music. Sure, it stings when you hear "unfortunately your service will not be needed at this time", or just flat-out "no". Again, there are no guarantees in music, but if you are an ablebodied person, who maintains his/her skills in music, you are not doomed to never working again.
When you are presented with "unfortunately", it is wise not to have negative words, and take it personally. Just remember, it is a honor to at least be considered. As musicians we keep going. When someone tells you "unfortunately your service will not be needed at this time", always maintain your professionalism. "Unfortunately" may only mean this gig at that time, and that`s it! Reasons could vary from there is not enough money in the budget to hire you, the band leader may be looking for a specific chemistry between musicians and singers, or any number of reasons. What ever reason, and what ever happens, maintain your dignity, integrity, and professionalism. See you on the band stand.
All we can do as musicians is do our best by being at rehearsals on time, practice the music and our instruments, and be ready for the gig. Hopefully, doing what I have mentioned will lead to a successful performance, with many more to come. However, "unfortunately" is a reality of music. Sure, it stings when you hear "unfortunately your service will not be needed at this time", or just flat-out "no". Again, there are no guarantees in music, but if you are an ablebodied person, who maintains his/her skills in music, you are not doomed to never working again.
When you are presented with "unfortunately", it is wise not to have negative words, and take it personally. Just remember, it is a honor to at least be considered. As musicians we keep going. When someone tells you "unfortunately your service will not be needed at this time", always maintain your professionalism. "Unfortunately" may only mean this gig at that time, and that`s it! Reasons could vary from there is not enough money in the budget to hire you, the band leader may be looking for a specific chemistry between musicians and singers, or any number of reasons. What ever reason, and what ever happens, maintain your dignity, integrity, and professionalism. See you on the band stand.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: National Black Arts Festival In Atlanta
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: National Black Arts Festival In Atlanta: If you happen to be visiting Atlanta, GA, during the months of August and September, or if you were in Atlanta in July, hopefully you h...
National Black Arts Festival In Atlanta
If you happen to be visiting Atlanta, GA, during the months of August and September, or if you were in Atlanta in July, hopefully you had the chance to attend the National Black Arts Festival. In its 27 years, the National Black Arts Festival offers a season packed with dance, film, literary arts, music, theater, and visual arts from around the world.
This is a wonderful festival, and the city of Atlanta shines. How do I know? I had the pleasure of performing NBAF with Basiks Reggae Band in 2007, and it was spectacular.
In this blog I will not give you the complete performance schedule of NBAF, but if you go to nbaf.org/2015-festival season/, you should be able to find a schedule of performances.
Go, and enjoy NBAF, and don`t forget, put in a plug for my group Freedom, and who knows, may be they will call.
This is a wonderful festival, and the city of Atlanta shines. How do I know? I had the pleasure of performing NBAF with Basiks Reggae Band in 2007, and it was spectacular.
In this blog I will not give you the complete performance schedule of NBAF, but if you go to nbaf.org/2015-festival season/, you should be able to find a schedule of performances.
Go, and enjoy NBAF, and don`t forget, put in a plug for my group Freedom, and who knows, may be they will call.
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