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.

The Essential Elements Of Music

      As I was searching for a topic to write this blog I stumbled upon a tread on Just Plain Folks (an on-line group for musicians) about the components of music. Contributors on this tread suggested there are three or four components of music. I disagree. In music there are five components. Not just components, but essential elements of music. These five essential elements of music are melody, form, harmony, rhythm, and expressive qualities. In this blog I will further describe each essential element.

     Articulation markings, dynamics, style, and tempo markings represent expressive qualities. Expressive qualities serve to express music in meaningful ways. They are signs or words used to indicate aspects of a composition other than pitch and rhythm.

     Form represents shape and structure of composition and song by its pitches and rhythms. A number of organizational elements of a song or composition may determine the formal structure of a piece. Those organizational elements can be broken down to phrases, which a composition will have many.

     Harmony is the result of two or more pitches sounding together. This is basic harmony. As was mentioned, harmony is produced when at least two pitches are sounding simultaneously, whether playing two notes together, or mashing all 88 keys on a piano harmony is produced. However, there is an organized structure for harmony: two notes produce basic harmony, three notes produce a triad, and three or more notes produce a chord. Chords and chord progressions having a pleasant sound are known as consonance, or sounds producing a beautiful effect. Harmony can also produce sounds that are unpleasant, known as dissonant harmony.

     Melody represents that singable tune of a song or composition. Melody is a succession of single pitches that is musically satisfying. A melody is a combination of pitch and rhythm. It is the foreground to the background accompaniment. Melodies consist of musical phrases usually repeated throughout a composition of song.

     Rhythm is concerned with the organization of time through the duration of sound and silence. Rhythm organizes time by regularly recurring beasts. Beats are a succession of strong and week beats, with repeated patterns of movement or sound.

     This is a snap-shot of the essential elements of music. For those interested in learning more about the essential elements of music take a music appreciation class at your community music school, community college, or enroll in a college or university music class. Also, check YouTube, or register for a music appreciation class on-line. I hope this blog has given you at least a basic introduction of the essential elements of music.         

Music Programs in the Detroit Public Schools Community District

      It`s always good to look through my Facebook feeds to see musicians I went to high school and college with. That list also includes musicians from Jr. high. I do not remember the young musicians I grew up with in elementary school, and if some of them are still playing.

     I have developed life long friendships, shared experiences, and a career in music which includes those friends and musicians. Non of this would have happen if not for the Detroit Public Schools and their music education department. If anyone is hawkish on not funding music and arts education, you are closing doors on lives of many who depend on those programs and classes. From 1999 - 2016 that happened.

     Governmental action from those in charge of the State of  Michigan led to substantial cuts in budget and funding for arts education. However, focus has been restored to arts education funding in 2018. The Detroit Public Schools Community District began its commitment to arts education by investing in children to educating the whole child. This phase 1 initiative of Detroit Public Schools Community District k - 8 plan returned arts education programming that was cut during the Rick Snyder years.

     Tier 1 Arts - Intensive (feeder) Schools is geared towards getting serious performing arts students to attend Detroit`s premiere arts high school. Detroit School of Arts is a nationally recognized performing arts high school in Detroit, and has a partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which is only one of 20 partnerships. Other partnerships include MSU Jazz and Community Music School, Motown Museum, Wayne State University, just to name a few. If you are interested in what the Detroit Public Schools Community District is doing with music and arts education, read their plan from 2018 - 19 - Fine And  Performing Arts Plan: Detroit Public Schools Community District. This is a comprehensive plan to restore performing arts and arts education as an essential component to its curriculum.

Making Music During A Global Pandemic

      Practice, practice, practice is what I tell my students to do everyday, even during this global pandemic. Music has not stopped during COVID - 19. I do not mean to suggest the music industry has not been effected by this global pandemic, because it has, with concerts being cancelled, gigs called off, and just getting together to play music is a problem during this time with COVID - 19. Rehearing in public parks in Michigan is seasonal at best. Zoom technology works, but there are challenges to over come.

     Neal Diamond`s video of thousands joining in to participate in singing his song "Sweet Caroline" makes you happy,  but how practical is this to conduct rehearsal, or generally speaking for music making? well, during this global pandemic very practical. Something is better than nothing. Let us all be grateful that vaccines are now available to combat against this virus, and hopefully we can return to life the way we knew it.

     Currently, and before the pandemic, I generally had four performing opportunities available: Student Recitals, Keith Gamble Quartet, BF Legacy Jazz Orchestra, and Freelance performances. Student Recitals are Spring and Christmas recitals my music students participate in each year performing prepared pieces learned during music lessons. Although I am still providing music lessons, COVID- 19 has placed a hold on my student performances. However, we are looking to resume in the spring and winter of 2021.

     As a professional musician before February, 2020, I was not performing daily, but I was performing at least once or twice per month. True, performing one or two monthly performances is not a lot, but those performances with music students do provide a living. For me and my situation COVID - 19 has placed a hold on Keith Gamble Quartet and freelance performances. BF Legacy Jazz Orchestra also saw no performances, but BF Legacy Jazz Orchestra has kept active with out-door rehearsals, Zoom meetings, and trying to stay active using Zoom technology.

     For all of us 2020 has been trying, and I think it is safe to say we are glad to see an end to 2020, and an ushering in for 2021. Happy New Year to all, and looking forward to seeing you on the band stand or in the audience.