No, this blog is not about the New Kids On The Block, nor any kids on any block, but about young adults performing in Detroit Chamber Orchestra. Of Detroit`s cultural institutions and serious performing arts ensembles, Detroit Chamber Orchestra is essentially the new kids on the block. DCO is a young professional ensemble based in Metro-Detroit presenting accessible performances throughout a scheduled concert series.
Detroit Chamber Orchestra founding members are Alyssa Campbell, Joseph Gray, and Jherrard Hardeman. According to members Detroit Chamber Orchestra`s main goal and philosophy is "to make classical music accessible to those who would otherwise not be exposed to it". DCO has performed works of Brahms, Warlock (Peter Warlock is the pen name of Philip Arnold Heseltine), Janacek, and Leroy Anderson`s Fiddle-Faddle.
Jherrard Hardeman is conductor of DCO. At age 18, Jherrard Hardeman was violinist, composer, and director of Chamber String Ensemble Music "Trayvon Martin". Jherrard Hardeman was also a special guest for James Tatum Foundation For The Arts, Inc. Classical & Jazz Benefit Gala Concert Pre 30th Year Anniversary Celebration, on March 20, 2016, at Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall - The Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, in Detroit, MI.
Detroit Chamber Orchestra will perform December 30, 2017, at 7:30 pm, for Mozart`s 40th Symphony, at Berkely First United Methodist Church, 2820 Twelve Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, concert free to the public. On this program DCO will present Sibelius Valse Trieste, and Elgar`s Serenade For Strings. For more information contact DCO by email at detroitchamberorchestra@gmail.com.
I am sure I am not alone when I welcome Detroit Chamber Orchestra to Detroit`s cultural community.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: The Musical Spirit Of Pat Martino
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: The Musical Spirit Of Pat Martino: We are all faced with challenges, and some challenges can shake us to our core. Guitarist Pat Martino has faced those challenges. Pat M...
The Musical Spirit Of Pat Martino
We are all faced with challenges, and some challenges can shake us to our core. Guitarist Pat Martino has faced those challenges. Pat Martino was born in Philadelphia, PA, in 1944, with the birth name of Pat Azzara. Pat Azzara began playing guitar at age twelve. When Pat Azzara was 14, his father, Carmen "Mickey"Azzara took him to see Wes Montgomery at a Philadelphia club. Pat Azzara was greatly influenced by Wes Montgomery, and as a youth Pat Azzara would memorize Wes Montgomery solos.
Pat Azzara left school in tenth grade, and his professional career began at age 15, after moving to New York City. Also, Pat Azzara changed his name to his father`s stage name "Martino". While in New York Pat Martino lived with Les Paul, and began playing jazz clubs.
In addition to jazz, Pat Azzara was also involved in Philadelphia`s early rock scene, but his first road gig was with jazz organist Charles Earland, who was a high school friend. Pat Martino would go on to play with Lloyd Price, Willis Jackson, Eric Kloss, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Trudy Pitts, Jimmy Smith, Gene Ludwig, Bobby Pierce, and Joey DeFrancesco.
In 1976, Pat Martino began experiencing seizures. Pat Martino suffered a brain aneurysm which caused Pat Martino to loss almost all his memory. However, his comeback was truly amazing. With support from his mother and father, Pat Martino had to listen to his own albums, and he also had to relearn his instrument. After his medical challenges he resumed his career in 1987, with a performance that was recorded on CD called "The Return". After "The Return" Pat Martino would stop performing again when both his parents became ill. Pat Martino began playing again in 1994, after the deaths of his parents, with recordings of "Interchange", and "The Maker".
During Thanksgiving Pat Martino was in performance at Chris` Jazz Cafe, in Philadelphia, PA, for his yearly two night Thanksgiving engagement. If you are interested in seeing Pat Martino in performance, he will be performing in New York at Iridium in February, 2018, followed by performances in Germany and Austria.
Pat Azzara left school in tenth grade, and his professional career began at age 15, after moving to New York City. Also, Pat Azzara changed his name to his father`s stage name "Martino". While in New York Pat Martino lived with Les Paul, and began playing jazz clubs.
In addition to jazz, Pat Azzara was also involved in Philadelphia`s early rock scene, but his first road gig was with jazz organist Charles Earland, who was a high school friend. Pat Martino would go on to play with Lloyd Price, Willis Jackson, Eric Kloss, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Trudy Pitts, Jimmy Smith, Gene Ludwig, Bobby Pierce, and Joey DeFrancesco.
In 1976, Pat Martino began experiencing seizures. Pat Martino suffered a brain aneurysm which caused Pat Martino to loss almost all his memory. However, his comeback was truly amazing. With support from his mother and father, Pat Martino had to listen to his own albums, and he also had to relearn his instrument. After his medical challenges he resumed his career in 1987, with a performance that was recorded on CD called "The Return". After "The Return" Pat Martino would stop performing again when both his parents became ill. Pat Martino began playing again in 1994, after the deaths of his parents, with recordings of "Interchange", and "The Maker".
During Thanksgiving Pat Martino was in performance at Chris` Jazz Cafe, in Philadelphia, PA, for his yearly two night Thanksgiving engagement. If you are interested in seeing Pat Martino in performance, he will be performing in New York at Iridium in February, 2018, followed by performances in Germany and Austria.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Michigan House
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Michigan House: Michigan House was created by Creative Many as a traveling pop-up space for musicians, and other creative people and disciplines. ...
Michigan House
Michigan House was created by Creative Many as a traveling pop-up space for musicians, and other creative people and disciplines.
Michigan House is about Michigan music, Michigan designs, and Michigan ideas. Michigan House is not only about sharing Michigan music, design, and ideas to Michiganders, but spreading Michigan creativity to other parts of our Country. One such collaboration of Michigan House is with South by Southwest, in Austin, Texas.
Highlighting Michigan musicians, artist and film makers, and showing Michigan creativity and design, Michigan House is a platform for showcasing economic, social, and creative capital to a national audience. "In 2014, these industries employed nearly 90,000 Michiganders in more that 10,700 establishments, generating nearly $5 billion in wages. Creativity and design are essential assets across Michigan`s economy." (Detroit Regional Chamber - Michigan House Returning To Austin This March - Posted on March 2, 2016).
In addition to Michigan House taking place in Austin, TX, Michigan House has also appeared in Grand Rapids, MI, for ArtPrize, and in Detroit, MI, for the North American International Auto Show. Michigan House is returning to Austin TX for the 2018 SXSW Festival.
Michigan House is about Michigan music, Michigan designs, and Michigan ideas. Michigan House is not only about sharing Michigan music, design, and ideas to Michiganders, but spreading Michigan creativity to other parts of our Country. One such collaboration of Michigan House is with South by Southwest, in Austin, Texas.
Highlighting Michigan musicians, artist and film makers, and showing Michigan creativity and design, Michigan House is a platform for showcasing economic, social, and creative capital to a national audience. "In 2014, these industries employed nearly 90,000 Michiganders in more that 10,700 establishments, generating nearly $5 billion in wages. Creativity and design are essential assets across Michigan`s economy." (Detroit Regional Chamber - Michigan House Returning To Austin This March - Posted on March 2, 2016).
In addition to Michigan House taking place in Austin, TX, Michigan House has also appeared in Grand Rapids, MI, for ArtPrize, and in Detroit, MI, for the North American International Auto Show. Michigan House is returning to Austin TX for the 2018 SXSW Festival.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Music and Brain Science
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Music and Brain Science: Have you been to Downtown Detroit to see and hear the jazz festival? Although this blog has nothing to do with the jazz festival, the r...
Music and Brain Science
Have you been to Downtown Detroit to see and hear the jazz festival? Although this blog has nothing to do with the jazz festival, the research on music and brain science is fascinating.
Scientist have been monitoring musicians brain activity with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography. When performing various activities brain areas light-up, but when playing music multiple areas light-up as sounds are processed. Listening to music engages the brain, but playing music is equivalent to a full body work-out. Playing a musical instrument engages every part of the brain. Brain areas effected are motor, visual, and auditory. Discipline and structured practice strengthen brain function, and allow for transferring knowledge to other activities.
Listening to music and playing it requires development of fine motor skills. Both left and right hemispheres of the brain are in full use. Corpus callosum is center of the brain, and messages from both hemispheres travel back and forth allowing messages to transfer faster from both routes.
Musicians have higher levels of executive functions such as planning, strategizing, and paying attention to details, and forming a bridge between cognitive and emotional aspects. Enhancement in multiple brain areas have been found in musicians.
Music training can significantly improve motor and reasoning skills. Music is shown to increase auditory discrimination abilities, and increase fine motor skills for students in three or more years of music study. Music students test better on vocabulary and nonverbal reasoning skills in identifying relationships, similarities, and differences between shapes and patterns.
Parents, this blog provides compelling reasons to enroll your children into music lessons. Also, and who knows, maybe your child could become a professional musician. If so, I will see him/her in performance at the Downtown Detroit Jazz Festival.
Cooper, Belle Beth (2013, December 6). The Surprising Science Behind What Music Does To Our Brains, Fast Company & Inc @ 2017 Mansueto Ventures, LLC
Awesome Daily Staff (2015, January 2). What Playing A Musical Instrument Does To Your Brain, The Awesome Daily
Scientist have been monitoring musicians brain activity with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography. When performing various activities brain areas light-up, but when playing music multiple areas light-up as sounds are processed. Listening to music engages the brain, but playing music is equivalent to a full body work-out. Playing a musical instrument engages every part of the brain. Brain areas effected are motor, visual, and auditory. Discipline and structured practice strengthen brain function, and allow for transferring knowledge to other activities.
Listening to music and playing it requires development of fine motor skills. Both left and right hemispheres of the brain are in full use. Corpus callosum is center of the brain, and messages from both hemispheres travel back and forth allowing messages to transfer faster from both routes.
Musicians have higher levels of executive functions such as planning, strategizing, and paying attention to details, and forming a bridge between cognitive and emotional aspects. Enhancement in multiple brain areas have been found in musicians.
Music training can significantly improve motor and reasoning skills. Music is shown to increase auditory discrimination abilities, and increase fine motor skills for students in three or more years of music study. Music students test better on vocabulary and nonverbal reasoning skills in identifying relationships, similarities, and differences between shapes and patterns.
Parents, this blog provides compelling reasons to enroll your children into music lessons. Also, and who knows, maybe your child could become a professional musician. If so, I will see him/her in performance at the Downtown Detroit Jazz Festival.
Cooper, Belle Beth (2013, December 6). The Surprising Science Behind What Music Does To Our Brains, Fast Company & Inc @ 2017 Mansueto Ventures, LLC
Awesome Daily Staff (2015, January 2). What Playing A Musical Instrument Does To Your Brain, The Awesome Daily
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Charles Lloyd Performs Caroline No
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Charles Lloyd Performs Caroline No: As I write this blog on Charles Lloyd, I am listening to a Charles Lloyd performance of "Caroline No", with a published date ...
Charles Lloyd Performs Caroline No
As I write this blog on Charles Lloyd, I am listening to a Charles Lloyd performance of "Caroline No", with a published date of October 4, 2011, on YouTube. In 1966, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Tony Asher wrote "Caroline No". Today in 2017, fans are blessed to have "Caroline No" in the Charles Lloyd repertoire.
Charles Lloyd is a great musician who plays saxophone with a charmingly light and airy tone quality that no one can mistaken as anyone other than Charles Lloyd.
"Caroline No" is beautifully layered with drums starting, and pianist Jason Moran joining with Eric Harland with exciting improvisation. Bassist Reuben Rogers and Charles Lloyd eventually join-in to state the melody. Pianist Jason Moran`s collaboration on this performance is gorgeous. He and the rhythm section lay down a canvas that is solid for Charles Lloyd to create. This music is performed with a spiritual dimension. Close your eyes, and take a journey. I wonder if Wilson and Asher had this interpretation in mind. Words to describe this music is terrific, gorgeous, beautiful, deep, and just pure love. Lloyd, Moran, Rogers, and Harland have taken this simple melody, and worked their magic with harmonies and improvisation.
Charles Lloyd is a great musician who plays saxophone with a charmingly light and airy tone quality that no one can mistaken as anyone other than Charles Lloyd.
"Caroline No" is beautifully layered with drums starting, and pianist Jason Moran joining with Eric Harland with exciting improvisation. Bassist Reuben Rogers and Charles Lloyd eventually join-in to state the melody. Pianist Jason Moran`s collaboration on this performance is gorgeous. He and the rhythm section lay down a canvas that is solid for Charles Lloyd to create. This music is performed with a spiritual dimension. Close your eyes, and take a journey. I wonder if Wilson and Asher had this interpretation in mind. Words to describe this music is terrific, gorgeous, beautiful, deep, and just pure love. Lloyd, Moran, Rogers, and Harland have taken this simple melody, and worked their magic with harmonies and improvisation.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Take It Seriously - 2017 Spring Recital
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Take It Seriously - 2017 Spring Recital: I am looking at this BobatoonCollective tweet on Twitter, and BobatoonCollective tweets "I know it sounds corny, but when you foll...
Take It Seriously - 2017 Spring Recital
I am looking at this BobatoonCollective tweet on Twitter, and BobatoonCollective tweets "I know it sounds corny, but when you follow your dreams, it happens. And if it`s music, take it seriously". Enrique Iglesias. No truer words have ever been spoken. It`s called vision, and everyone`s vision is going to be different, but music calls for a perseverance of that vision.
Yesterday, my vision was realized with our spring recital. Our recital was small in number, but enthusiasm was in the air. Everyone in the audience was there to support their young musician. Parents and grandparents giving the gift of music to their young. What a show of love; giving a gift that will last a life time. Who knows, that gift could be the beginning of what could be a successful career in music.
Thank you to my students, and family members of my students who participated in our Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons 2017 Spring Recital. Their hard work and time truly paid off. Thanks also to my adult learners. Only one adult participated in our recital, and he gave a wonderful display of improvisation on tenor saxophone. Enjoy it, learn from it, and most importantly, have fun. See you for our 2017 Christmas Recital.
Yesterday, my vision was realized with our spring recital. Our recital was small in number, but enthusiasm was in the air. Everyone in the audience was there to support their young musician. Parents and grandparents giving the gift of music to their young. What a show of love; giving a gift that will last a life time. Who knows, that gift could be the beginning of what could be a successful career in music.
Thank you to my students, and family members of my students who participated in our Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons 2017 Spring Recital. Their hard work and time truly paid off. Thanks also to my adult learners. Only one adult participated in our recital, and he gave a wonderful display of improvisation on tenor saxophone. Enjoy it, learn from it, and most importantly, have fun. See you for our 2017 Christmas Recital.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Jazz In Ten Easy Lessons
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Jazz In Ten Easy Lessons: Jazz is not an art to be conquered; you are not going to simply learn jazz in 10 easy lessons. Young musicians looking to pursue jazz w...
Jazz In Ten Easy Lessons
Jazz is not an art to be conquered; you are not going to simply learn jazz in 10 easy lessons. Young musicians looking to pursue jazz will be better served approaching jazz studies with a realistic prospective. Ones education in jazz studies is step-by-step, and that knowledge can be built upon.
For many, a formal introduction into music comes from K-12 education. Elementary school education is crucial in giving students tools meaningful to develop musical skills. Elementary school gives an introduction into music, not jazz, but music. It is through music we develop skills and technique as instrumentalist, and comradeship with others in making music. In other words, our basic technique and general understanding of music is developed in elementary school.
In middle and high school technique is further developed with traditional music study. Jazz is learned in high school, but students bread and butter comes from learning traditional music. Numerous high school and college jazz programs have replaced the apprenticeship model of learning jazz. Jazz is introduced to greater numbers of citizens, both performers and audiences. If anything is lost to the academic presentation of jazz it is the individuality of jazz. Today you do not recognize the players. However, through jazz education one can hear better technique, and greater facility.
Once upon a time jazz musicians learned to play in jazz clubs at late hours in jam sessions. Today young jazz artist learn in academic environments, which is a safer environment. However, there is one thing that connects both learning jazz in an era that has gone, and today in the classroom, and that is you got to get out there and play.
For many, a formal introduction into music comes from K-12 education. Elementary school education is crucial in giving students tools meaningful to develop musical skills. Elementary school gives an introduction into music, not jazz, but music. It is through music we develop skills and technique as instrumentalist, and comradeship with others in making music. In other words, our basic technique and general understanding of music is developed in elementary school.
In middle and high school technique is further developed with traditional music study. Jazz is learned in high school, but students bread and butter comes from learning traditional music. Numerous high school and college jazz programs have replaced the apprenticeship model of learning jazz. Jazz is introduced to greater numbers of citizens, both performers and audiences. If anything is lost to the academic presentation of jazz it is the individuality of jazz. Today you do not recognize the players. However, through jazz education one can hear better technique, and greater facility.
Once upon a time jazz musicians learned to play in jazz clubs at late hours in jam sessions. Today young jazz artist learn in academic environments, which is a safer environment. However, there is one thing that connects both learning jazz in an era that has gone, and today in the classroom, and that is you got to get out there and play.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Music Competitions, Contest, and Recitals
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Music Competitions, Contest, and Recitals: As musicians we look forward to being involved in music competitions, contest, and recitals. It makes sense; music is a performing art....
Music Competitions, Contest, and Recitals
As musicians we look forward to being involved in music competitions, contest, and recitals. It makes sense; music is a performing art. In general, a competition is an event to out-do others. Students of Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons do not compete against one another, but music organizations such as Music Teachers National Association do offer competitions to student performers. Students participate in State Level Performance Competitions. If successful at state that student moves to divisional level competition. If successful at division level, students are invited to perform at the National Competition.
MTNA also offers a Student Composition Contest, as well as a Concerto Competition. Another competition offered by Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League is the Young Artist Competition.
A contest is a competition for a prize. Essentially, a competition and a contest are the same. A recital is different. In a professional format a recital is a musical performance by one artist. However, in an educational setting a recital is a public demonstration of progress by music students. Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons and other music studios offer both a Christmas or Winter Recital or Festival, and a Spring Recital. These musical performances are standard in the music teaching field.
MTNA also offers a Student Composition Contest, as well as a Concerto Competition. Another competition offered by Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League is the Young Artist Competition.
A contest is a competition for a prize. Essentially, a competition and a contest are the same. A recital is different. In a professional format a recital is a musical performance by one artist. However, in an educational setting a recital is a public demonstration of progress by music students. Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons and other music studios offer both a Christmas or Winter Recital or Festival, and a Spring Recital. These musical performances are standard in the music teaching field.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Introducing Saxophonist Benny Rubin Jr.
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Introducing Saxophonist Benny Rubin Jr.: James Carter, Kenny Garrett, and Skip Pruitt are just a few great saxophonist who have come through the Detroit school system to make t...
Introducing Saxophonist Benny Rubin Jr.
James Carter, Kenny Garrett, and Skip Pruitt are just a few great saxophonist who have come through the Detroit school system to make their mark in jazz, or in music in general. This legacy of outstanding saxophonist continues today with Benny Rubin Jr. Benny Rubin Jr. carries on a Detroit historical jazz legacy following in the foot steps of Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and John Coltrane.
As a student of Detroit School Of Arts, Benny Rubin has received attention from Detroit`s jazz community. Benny Rubin Jr. has been taught by Wendell Harrison, and the late Marcus Belgrave. He has performed with Sean Dobbins Organ Quartet at Kerrytown Concert House for their Rising Stars Series, and Pamela Wise Harrison at the Shrine Of The Black Madonna Church for Jazz Vespers Christmas Eve service.
On February 5, 2017, Benny Rubin Jr. performs at Detroit Institute Of Arts from 12:45 - 4:00 pm, in Kresge Court.
At 17, Benny Rubin Jr. has been apart of some enviable musical experiences. Congratulations to you, Benny Rubin Jr. on your success in music, and your continued success in music and saxophone for a life time. Just remember Benny Rubin Jr., stay focus, and practice. We are all rooting for you.
As a student of Detroit School Of Arts, Benny Rubin has received attention from Detroit`s jazz community. Benny Rubin Jr. has been taught by Wendell Harrison, and the late Marcus Belgrave. He has performed with Sean Dobbins Organ Quartet at Kerrytown Concert House for their Rising Stars Series, and Pamela Wise Harrison at the Shrine Of The Black Madonna Church for Jazz Vespers Christmas Eve service.
On February 5, 2017, Benny Rubin Jr. performs at Detroit Institute Of Arts from 12:45 - 4:00 pm, in Kresge Court.
At 17, Benny Rubin Jr. has been apart of some enviable musical experiences. Congratulations to you, Benny Rubin Jr. on your success in music, and your continued success in music and saxophone for a life time. Just remember Benny Rubin Jr., stay focus, and practice. We are all rooting for you.
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