Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: 70`s Soul

Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: 70`s Soul:       "People Make The World Go Round", "Pay Back Is A Dog", and many others are recordings I grew-up with as a child in...

70`s Soul

      "People Make The World Go Round", "Pay Back Is A Dog", and many others are recordings I grew-up with as a child in Detroit, MI. I remember the sounds of Motown and other soul and R&B music playing on the radio and record player inside our home. YouTube has brought back those memories with YouTube`s 70`s Greatest Hits Soul. On YouTube`s Greatest Hits Soul you hear the 70`s favorites and classic hits. As an African-American child growing-up in the 1970s, soul and R&B is what we listen to everyday.

     The movie "Crooklyn" presented a representation of an ordinary family with its struggles and challenges, and music playing a major part in their lives. Crooklyn was a wonderful film about family life, and how music was interwoven into the lives of family members. Thank you, Spike Lee for that depiction of a family in Brooklyn, NY, that looked like my family, and the people I grew-up with.

     As an individual I acquired a love for jazz, but my musical roots come from my family with R&B, soul, and the blues, and yes, jazz.

     If you get a chance, check-out YouTube`s 70`s Greatest Hits Soul; I think you will be impressed. Oh, and by the way, don`t forget to wear your high-heel platform shoes.

A Tribute To Oscar Peterson

      When someone pays tribute to a musical artist it is for good reason. On November 19, 2021, Christian McBride, Benny Green, Russell Malone, and Jeff Hamilton performed a tribute to Oscar Peterson in Salt Lake City, UT. It is a great honor to be given a tribute concert by top musical artist, and Oscar Peterson is worthy of such praise and honor.

     Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was born on August 15, 1925, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Born to a family of five, Oscar was the fourth of five children. Oscar Peterson`s father was an amateur organist who led the family band in church and community hall performances in Montreal. David Paterson (Oscar Peterson`s father) insisted that all Peterson children learn to play two instruments; piano and a brass instrument. At age five Oscar Peterson began playing trumpet and piano. Oscar continued studying piano during his youth and teen years, and attended the Conservatoire de musique du Quebec a Montreal.

     Oscar Peterson`s influences on piano were Nat King Cole, Teddy Wilson, and Art Tatum. Oscar Peterson was also classmate of trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, and played together in a dance band led by Percy Ferguson (Maynard`s brother). In the early 1940s, Oscar Peterson was a celebrity in the Montreal music scene. At age 17, Oscar Peterson is known for his speed and dexterity, as well as his meticulous technique. Stylistically, Oscar is known for his ability to swing. He has appeared on over 200 recordings of other artist, including Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. Louis Armstrong referred to Oscar Peterson as "the man with four hands".

     In 1945, Oscar Peterson made his first recording for RCA Victor, which included "I Got Rhythm" and "The Sheik of Araby". Peterson recorded sixteen 78s between 1945 - 1949. 1949 would be an important year for Oscar Peterson.

     Music manager and producer Norman Granz was on his way to the airport in Montreal when he heard Oscar Peterson playing on the radio. Granz immediately instructed his cab driver to take him to the radio station where Oscar Peterson was performing. Norman Granz became Oscar Peterson`s manager, and was able to arrange a Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) performance at Carnegie Hall on September 18, 1949, in New York City. However, Norman Granz was not able to secure a work visa for Oscar Peterson in time for the performance. Norman placed Peterson in the audience and brought him on stage as a surprise guest. This idea was brilliant! Downbeat magazine was quoted saying Oscar Peterson`s performance "stopped the concert dead cold in its tracks". This performance was the beginning of his international career.

     Oscar Peterson enjoyed a musical career that last decades, filled with great recordings, performances, accolades, and numerous awards and honors. On December 23, 2007, Oscar Peterson died of kidney failure at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Career As An Independent Music Teacher

Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Career As An Independent Music Teacher:       Many of us starting in music began during K-12 education in general music, elementary or middle school band, or in a string or orchest...

Career As An Independent Music Teacher

      Many of us starting in music began during K-12 education in general music, elementary or middle school band, or in a string or orchestra program. A large number of music students began with private lessons on piano, or any number of musical instruments. Starting this way has launched many into careers in music such as composing, musical artist, producing, and more. As we get into the musical profession many find that creating income is not that hard, but growing that income becomes difficult. Perseverance and reputation is everything. Sticking to it, and developing your skills is vital.

     My introduction into music has been through education, specifically music education. As an adult I have taught K-12 music education in public, private, and charter schools, but teaching privately is my love and joy. As an independent music teacher marketing is the game. This is a business. Advertising, word-of-mouth, and being in the public eye works.

     My business model has been to provide music lessons in the homes of my students. However, there are cost associated with this business model, such as auto repair, gasoline, and other miscellaneous cost. Figure out your expenses if you choose to provide in-home music lessons. Keep in mind there are substantial cost in providing in-home music lessons, but those cost may be worth it, as it is for me.

Ramona Collins Group at Shield`s

      How would you like to spend part of your Saturday afternoon with an international artist? Well, you can at Shield`s. You and your family can enjoy good pizza while listening to the vocal stylings of Ramona Collins at Shield`s in Southfield, MI, August 7, 2021, from 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm, promoting Jazz at Shield`s. Shield`s is located at 25101 Telegraph Rd, Southfield MI 48034. Cost for this musical event is $10.00. Reservations are not needed for this performance.

     Ramona Collins was born in Toledo, OH, and raised in Lansing, MI. Ramona began singing at an early age with encouragement from her mother. She is a seasoned vocalist with a vast repertoire her audience will surely enjoy.

     Making her debut at age 16, Ramona Collins was singing and recording standards with her mother. She grabbed the attention of some local area musicians, with Ramona being invited to local jam sessions. Ramona Collins developed a reputation of being an exceptional song stylist. In 1970, Ramona recorded the single "You`ve Been Cheatin". This song is now a collector`s item in the UK. Fans in the UK continue to take pleasure in dancing to "You`ve Been Cheatin".

     Ramona Collins has a track record that is too vast to be covered by this blog, but Ramona Collins is truly worth researching and seeing in performance. Patrons at Shield`s are fortunate to enjoy great pizza, and see an international artist with an established track record, and international following. See you at Shield`s on Saturday, as we treasure our time with Ramona Collins Group.

Charlie Parker: Fact and Mythology

      There are true facts that become our personal history. This includes famous personalities. Our lives are a combination of extraordinary and mundane events that make-up who we are. Charlie Parker was a phenomenal alto saxophonist and composer who lived a life of trials and tribulations while making his mark with his saxophone and be bop.

     Charlie Parker was born August 29, 1920, in Kansas City, KS. Eventually Charlie Parker`s parents would separate from each other, with Charlie Parker and his mother moving across the river to Kansas City, MO at age ten. Charlie Parker began playing alto saxophone after his parents separation. He began playing at Lincoln High School, where he quickly became first chair in his high school band. Purchasing his first saxophone at age 11 after being inspired by Rudy Vallee, and turning pro at age 13 is simply a myth; not true.

     With success in high school band, young Charlie Parker was laughed off stage while sitting-in with professional musicians at a jam session. This public humiliation occurred at the Reno Club in Kansas City, MO. While on stage timing and communication issues took place, while Jo Jones was on drums as a guest in the rhythm section. On "I Got Rhythm" Jo Jones timing was behind Parker, as Charlie Parker continued to rush-through the music. Jo Jones stopped playing, as young 16 year old Charlie Parker froze in place. Jo Jones threw a cymbal at Charlie Parker`s feet, and of course laughter and catcalls soon followed, with Charlie Parker leaving the stage.

     This event happening to Charlie Parker created a desire for Parker to practice upward to 15 hours per day for three or four years. Charlie Parker`s musical success was hard work, discipline and determination to become an absolute master of his instrument. Popular myth would have you believe that his heroin addiction led to his genius; not his hard work.

     In 1936, along with the humiliation suffered at the Reno Club, Charlie Parker married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca Ruffin. Soon after their marriage Parker and Rebecca Ruffin parted ways, with Rebecca Ruffin leaving, and taking their son.

     Charlie Parker and his crew invented a whole new genre of music called be bop. Charlie Parker, famous jazz saxophonist and composer died at age 34, on March 12, 1955, in New York City.