What is the best originals you have done? is a question asked by Just Plain Folks to musicians and composers. My library of compositions is small, but growing. I selected three compositions I can identify as favorites. Does this represent my best work? I would have to analyse each composition to determine what is my best, so I will just name three as my favorites.
Black Heroes was copy written in 1999, and a tribute to those who speak-out and act on behave of African-American people. Black Heroes is not only a tribute piece to Black American heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, but to my father, grandfather, uncles, teachers, and all who have been a major influence in my life. Stylistically Black Heroes is a free-flowing mid-tempo piece. Black Heroes can be found on Creative Tradition`s "Do I Have To Live Like This?" CD recording.
Michigan in winter can be brutal! However, there are times during winter when God smiles on us, and blesses our state with beautiful days during the season. February Spring is a composition written on a beautiful day in February. This piece is written in three quarter time, and builds with great energy. You can find February Spring on "Do I Have To Live Like This?", and Keith Gamble`s "Meaning, Truth, and Understanding" CD recordings.
There is no romantic story I can share with you on What Am I Waiting For. Just like many composers I began writing What Am I Waiting For sitting at a piano. As I continued, my investment in time and emotion grew. What Am I Waiting For features a flowing and singable melody, with a pronounced bass line. This piece goes back and forth from swing to a highly creative interpretation.
Again, Black Heroes, February Spring, and What Am I Waiting For are just three of my favorites I have penned. Of course every composition I composed is special to me. The three I have chosen to mention are wonderful pieces you should hear, and I think you will agree.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Body And Soul Celebrates 87 Years
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Body And Soul Celebrates 87 Years: True or false - Coleman Hawkins wrote Body and Soul? The answer is false, but Coleman Hawkins`s 1939 recording of Body and Soul is hist...
Body And Soul Celebrates 87 Years
True or false - Coleman Hawkins wrote Body and Soul? The answer is false, but Coleman Hawkins`s 1939 recording of Body and Soul is historic. This week we celebrate 87 years of Body and Soul. As saxophonist James Carter says, "'Body and Soul' was and is a sonic beacon that showed us how sensuous and rhapsodic the tenor saxophone could be!!"
Body and Soul was first performed in 1930. by singer Gertrude Lawrence in her live London performance. Hollywood songwriter and conductor Johnny Green wrote "Body and Soul" for Gertrude Lawrence while in London. Body and Soul was a feature selection in the production "Threes A Crowd" in London, England. Also that year, Body and Soul was recorded by Louis Armstrong. However, the most significant and historic performance comes from Coleman Hawkins in his October 11, 1939 recording of Body and Soul. Body and Soul is such an important piece it has been placed into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
Many have recorded Body and Soul. There are nearly 3,000 recordings and broadcast performances of Body and Soul. Coleman Hawkins` performance of Body and Soul on his 1939 recording is textbook for ballad playing. Coleman Hawkins 1939 recording represents early tremors of bebop, and also established the tenor saxophone as a major jazz instrument. Body and Soul was such a special piece that it represents one of a few standards recorded by John Coltrane. John Coltrane re-harmonized Body and Soul in 1960.
A defining moment in jazz, Body and Soul is considered an evolutionary leap in jazz. Body and Soul is a beautiful display of interpretation and improvisation of a ballad. Body and Soul represents a major development in jazz evolution, and opened the door for a new era of jazz.
Body and Soul was first performed in 1930. by singer Gertrude Lawrence in her live London performance. Hollywood songwriter and conductor Johnny Green wrote "Body and Soul" for Gertrude Lawrence while in London. Body and Soul was a feature selection in the production "Threes A Crowd" in London, England. Also that year, Body and Soul was recorded by Louis Armstrong. However, the most significant and historic performance comes from Coleman Hawkins in his October 11, 1939 recording of Body and Soul. Body and Soul is such an important piece it has been placed into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
Many have recorded Body and Soul. There are nearly 3,000 recordings and broadcast performances of Body and Soul. Coleman Hawkins` performance of Body and Soul on his 1939 recording is textbook for ballad playing. Coleman Hawkins 1939 recording represents early tremors of bebop, and also established the tenor saxophone as a major jazz instrument. Body and Soul was such a special piece that it represents one of a few standards recorded by John Coltrane. John Coltrane re-harmonized Body and Soul in 1960.
A defining moment in jazz, Body and Soul is considered an evolutionary leap in jazz. Body and Soul is a beautiful display of interpretation and improvisation of a ballad. Body and Soul represents a major development in jazz evolution, and opened the door for a new era of jazz.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Rest In Peace, Allan Barnes (September 27, 1949 - ...
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Rest In Peace, Allan Barnes (September 27, 1949 - ...: Allan Barnes, Detroit multi-instrumentalist died at the age of 66, on the 25th of July. He was one of the founding members of The Black...
Rest In Peace, Allan Barnes (September 27, 1949 - July 25, 2016)
Allan Barnes, Detroit multi-instrumentalist died at the age of 66, on the 25th of July. He was one of the founding members of The Blackbyrds. Allan Barnes was not only a great saxophonist, but also a father, brother, uncle, grandfather, teacher, and friend to many.
Tate Mc Broom said Allan Barnes represented a link between Donald Byrd and J. Dilla. Tate Mc Broom is a drummer and fellow musician with insight on the career of Allan Barnes. Mc Broom comments Allan Barnes was loved and revered in Detroit`s electronic music and jazz communities. Mc Broom played with Allan Barnes for almost 10 years.
Allan Barnes recorded in 2012, J. Dilla - Requiem. On February 9, 2013, Allan Barnes performed "Think Twice" - an Allan Barnes` Tribute to Donald Byrd, during Dilla Day Detroit 2013.
Known for his soulful contributions to best-selling jazz-fusion band The Blackbyrds in the mid-1970s, The Blackbyrds, under director and trumpeter Donald Byrd was a back-up band for Donald Byrd. Donald Byrd taught at Howard University in Washington, D.C. While at Howard University, Donald Byrd gathered his best students, which included Allan Barnes. In 1973, Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds released "Black Byrd". The Blackbyrds would go on to spin-off on there own, with Donald Byrd as producer.
Allan Barnes was introduced to music by his two uncles starting him on clarinet at eight years old. By age 14, one of his uncles gave Allan Barnes a saxophone. After graduating from high school, Allan Barnes enlisted in the US Army, being deployed in Vietnam in 1968, where he played in an Army service band.
After his service in Vietnam, Allan Barnes returned to Detroit, but not for long. Donald Byrd learned of Allan Barnes from his uncles. They motivated Allan Barnes to go to Howard University. Once Allan Barnes enrolled at Howard University he was quickly accepted in Donald Byrd`s working band.
Allan Barnes left The Blackbyrds in 1975, and began taking-on new musical projects, such as teaming-up with singer/songwriter John Malone. They formed a group called Malone & Barnes and Spontaneous Simplicity. In 1978, a new collaboration between Barnes and Moore wrote "Disco Dancin`" for A Taste Of Honey, and "Money Makes The World Go Round" in 1998.
In the 1990s, Allan Barnes resettled in Detroit, MI, and was involved in a number of projects from fusion to post-bop. Allan Barnes became a main fixture in Detroit`s cultural and music scene.
Allan Barnes died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Detroit. Rest in peace, Allan Barnes, you will be greatly missed.
Tate Mc Broom said Allan Barnes represented a link between Donald Byrd and J. Dilla. Tate Mc Broom is a drummer and fellow musician with insight on the career of Allan Barnes. Mc Broom comments Allan Barnes was loved and revered in Detroit`s electronic music and jazz communities. Mc Broom played with Allan Barnes for almost 10 years.
Allan Barnes recorded in 2012, J. Dilla - Requiem. On February 9, 2013, Allan Barnes performed "Think Twice" - an Allan Barnes` Tribute to Donald Byrd, during Dilla Day Detroit 2013.
Known for his soulful contributions to best-selling jazz-fusion band The Blackbyrds in the mid-1970s, The Blackbyrds, under director and trumpeter Donald Byrd was a back-up band for Donald Byrd. Donald Byrd taught at Howard University in Washington, D.C. While at Howard University, Donald Byrd gathered his best students, which included Allan Barnes. In 1973, Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds released "Black Byrd". The Blackbyrds would go on to spin-off on there own, with Donald Byrd as producer.
Allan Barnes was introduced to music by his two uncles starting him on clarinet at eight years old. By age 14, one of his uncles gave Allan Barnes a saxophone. After graduating from high school, Allan Barnes enlisted in the US Army, being deployed in Vietnam in 1968, where he played in an Army service band.
After his service in Vietnam, Allan Barnes returned to Detroit, but not for long. Donald Byrd learned of Allan Barnes from his uncles. They motivated Allan Barnes to go to Howard University. Once Allan Barnes enrolled at Howard University he was quickly accepted in Donald Byrd`s working band.
Allan Barnes left The Blackbyrds in 1975, and began taking-on new musical projects, such as teaming-up with singer/songwriter John Malone. They formed a group called Malone & Barnes and Spontaneous Simplicity. In 1978, a new collaboration between Barnes and Moore wrote "Disco Dancin`" for A Taste Of Honey, and "Money Makes The World Go Round" in 1998.
In the 1990s, Allan Barnes resettled in Detroit, MI, and was involved in a number of projects from fusion to post-bop. Allan Barnes became a main fixture in Detroit`s cultural and music scene.
Allan Barnes died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Detroit. Rest in peace, Allan Barnes, you will be greatly missed.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Finding Compassion
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Finding Compassion: Bad things happen to good people. Sounds familiar, because we can all relate. I have never had an instrument stolen from me, but I can ...
Finding Compassion
Bad things happen to good people. Sounds familiar, because we can all relate. I have never had an instrument stolen from me, but I can just imagine how gut-wrenching that must be. Sometime during the week of June 5, 2016, Chapel Hill, NC woodwind player Tim Smith was on his way to a gig when he experienced car trouble. Leaving his car he walked to the performance, and carrying essential equipment he needed for the job, while leaving everything else in his car. After his performance Tim Smith returned to his car only to discover someone had broken-in, stealing two saxophones, a flute, two microphones, and a PA system.
Tim Smith is an inspirational saxophonist who`s positive lyrics and voice has performed in Compiegne, France, Philadelphia, PA, Russia, and North and South Carolina. Tim Smith performs original music and cover songs with a bluesy edge, and jazz sensibility. He plays with technique, soulful expression, and dynamic stage presence.
Those of us who chose music as a career path knows and accepts we will likely not become financially rich playing music. Generally, we love and are passionate about our choice to pursue music. As musicians we bring art, entertainment, and joy to those who come to see us perform. However, life happens to us also. Woodwind player Tim Smith was a victim of theft.
Friends of Tim Smith established a Go Fund Me account raising more than $7,000.00 in two days to replace Tim Smith`s stolen instruments. Congratulations, Tim Smith, and hopefully the money raised in the Tim Smith`s Instrument campaign is enough to replace everything that was stolen from your car. Also, thanks to all who contributed generously to fellow woodwind instrumentalist Tim Smith. This is what it means to be connected to an arts and music community. Remember, there are more good people out there who are kind, compassionate, and caring, than the evil that lurks.
Tim Smith is an inspirational saxophonist who`s positive lyrics and voice has performed in Compiegne, France, Philadelphia, PA, Russia, and North and South Carolina. Tim Smith performs original music and cover songs with a bluesy edge, and jazz sensibility. He plays with technique, soulful expression, and dynamic stage presence.
Those of us who chose music as a career path knows and accepts we will likely not become financially rich playing music. Generally, we love and are passionate about our choice to pursue music. As musicians we bring art, entertainment, and joy to those who come to see us perform. However, life happens to us also. Woodwind player Tim Smith was a victim of theft.
Friends of Tim Smith established a Go Fund Me account raising more than $7,000.00 in two days to replace Tim Smith`s stolen instruments. Congratulations, Tim Smith, and hopefully the money raised in the Tim Smith`s Instrument campaign is enough to replace everything that was stolen from your car. Also, thanks to all who contributed generously to fellow woodwind instrumentalist Tim Smith. This is what it means to be connected to an arts and music community. Remember, there are more good people out there who are kind, compassionate, and caring, than the evil that lurks.
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