Under the Tent and in the Woods: Rivard Plaza and Harper Woods Library performances.

     I love living in Detroit during Labor Day holiday, because it is a great opportunity to spend time with family, and attend to Detroit International Jazz Festival. I Had a chance to see some friends in performance at the festival, such trumpeter Rayse Biggs with his group, and other national and international artist such as Curtis Fuller, and a group from Japan called Virtical Engine. Although I was not fortunate enough to grace the stage of the 2011 Detroit International Jazz Festival, I do have two performances scheduled for September  I would like  you to attend. September 20, 2011, I will perform for seniors for a gathering hosted by the Wayne County Library, and in performance at the Harper Woods Library on the 28th of the month.

     Being honest I do not know if my performance under the tent is open to the public, or a private function for seniors sponsored by the Wayne County Public Library, but if you are interested in attending I recommend you call Maria McCarville, Directior of Libraries at (734)727-7310 for details and information. This is going to be a fun performance. Band members and I will an opportunity to fellowship with those in attendance, and enjoy the fine lunch provided by the Wayne County Public Library. After we eat lunch it will be time for us to play. At this time I have not made the set list for this performance as of 09/05/11, but I can tell you I am planning on our jazz quartet to perform mostly jazz standards. This event will begin at 12 noon, under the tent at the Rivard Plaza, on the Detroit River, in Downtown Detroit.

     Wednesday, September 28, 2011, at 6:30 I will be appearing in the Community Room of the Harper Woods Public Library, at 19601 Harper Avenue, in Harper Woods, MI. This program is called "A Night of Jazz With Keith Gamble", and will feature post-bop and avant-garde jazz performances, with me talking about the pieces being performed, and entertaining questions on my compositions. Performing with me on the 28th is Mike Evans on piano, Donnie Wilson on bass, and Michael Brown on drums. Our set list is ready for this performance, and we will perform mostly my original works. Audience will have an opportunity to hear three pieces from my 2010 CD recording - Meaning, Truth, and Understanding, three pieces from my 2006 recording with the performance poetry ensemble called Creative Tradition, from the CD - Do I Have To Live Like This?, an avant-garde jazz piece entitled Exalted One, and other piece to round-out our set.

     I hope to see you at one, if not both performances. I will have copies of my CDs - Meaning, Truth, and Understanding, and a few of the Creative Tradition recording - Do I Have To Live Like This?  While at the performances please sign my mailing list.  We`re going to have a lot of fun on the river and in the tent on the 20th, while the 28th promises to be an evening of high energy and artistic creation.      

Come join us at the 44th Soul Day Celebration

     Committed to our community in Northwest Detroit, and our artistic, cultural, and intellectual awareness and growth as African-American people, Clarence Harris began Soul Day 44 years ago at the field of Northwestern H.S. Mr. Harris is at it again, as he has organized and prepared another year of community enlightenment with the 44th Annual Soul Day Celebration for 2012, at the Sam Bishop Playfield, at Grand River and Lawton. The theme for this years festival is "Always Protect What You Have, Just Add To It!".

     This years Soul Day festival will feature the scholarship of Akinjide Bonotchi Montgomery from Detroit, Dr. W. Richard Campbell, and Brother Otim Larib, both from Atlanta, GA. Musical highlights will be drummer Michael Brown & Even Exchange Band, and yours truly. Soul Day will have many other educational workshops, presentors, bands, and vocal artist.

     I will be performing under my name; Keith Gamble (although listed as Keith Gamble Quartet). We are scheduled to perform at 9:30pm, on Sunday, August 14, 2011. Joining me on stage at Soul Day will be pianist Mike Evans, Donnie Wilson on bass, and Michael Brown on drums. Both Mike Evans and Donnie Wilson appear on my CD recording - Meaning, Truth, and Understanding. From Meaning, Truth, and Understanding, Side Effects, Right Hemisphere, and Cycle of Life are on our set-list. If you are a fan of the performance poetry group Creative Tradition, you will hear music form the Creative Tradition repertoire on this set-list. It is going to be an exciting set of post-bop and avant garde jazz music.

     The 44th Annual Soul Day Celebration runs from Friday, August 12, through Sunday, August 14 from 9am to midnight. All activities are FREE to the public, and all ages are welcome. Say hello and thanks to Mr. Harris, and I look forward to seeing you at SOUL DAY.

Spring Recital 2011

     What is Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons? Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons is the division of Keith Gamble Music that gives private music lessons. As the name infers, Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons is a specialist in woodwind instruments - clarinet, flute, and saxophone. Although I and Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons can and do give lessons on piano, percussion, and brass instruments, Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons focus is on woodwinds.

     One of my woodwind students is Mr. Oliver Newell. Oliver Newell is an adult student who takes lessons on flute and jazz studies. Oliver was a student of mine back in the 1990s when I was owner of K.G.Musical Services in Detroit. K.G.Musical Services had contracts with Martyrs Of Uganda Catholic School to teach band and general music. Oliver was a student in the band program at Martyrs playing flute in the beginning band. In addition to playing in the band program at Martyrs Of Uganda, Oliver became a private flute student of mine. With Olivers` participation in the band program at Martyrs Of Uganda Catholic School, and his private instructions with me, Oliver ascended to an upper intermediate level of study. Oliver Newell also worked part-time with K.G.Musical Services, and was also a member of the company sponsored band called the K.G.Crew. While in high school Oliver was also a member of the U of D Jesuit H.S. band and/or orchestra. Since graduating from U of D Jesuit H.S., Oliver Newell has graduated from College in California, is raising a family, running his business. and has picked-up his flute to study the art of jazz. Oliver Newell was Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons host for this years 2011 Spring Recital.

     This years June 5, 2011, Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons Spring Recital introduces students, families, and friends to pianist Hans Barbe; piano accompanist for this year`s recital. Hans and I have worked-out a barter arrangement where Hans will accompany my music students, while I will play some free of charge performances. I have performed a couple of non-paid performances at the Phoenix Cafe in Hazel Park, MI, where Hans is part-owner. Post Bop/Avant Garde Jazz saxophonist Keith Gamble will play other performances at the Pheonix Cafe, while Hans Barbe will continue to provide background accompaniment to soloist at future performances and recitals.

     For four Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons students and families our 2011spring recital was very special. Amir Rhine-Sims (drums), Lakyra Flowers (piano), Erickson Van Cleave (piano), and Jayden Newell (alto saxophone) participated in their first recital. Fine performances by all four. Other performances followed our beginning students. These were a combination of solo and duet performances, i.e., Mr. Mark Brown (alto saxophone) playing John Coltrane`s Naima, and the Fire & Ice Saxophone Duet - consisting of alto saxophonist Christopher, and Landon Van Cleave playing works of Keith Snell, Mozart, and Prokofiev. Some of the recitals` most exciting performance came from clarinetist Kenseye Fort, with Hans Barbe accompanying on piano in performance on a Raymond Loucheur piece entitled "A Bird Cage". After Kenseye performed A Bird Cage, Kenseye was joined by his friend clarinetist Ray Cahshen as a clarinet duet. Kenseye and Ray gave us lively performances on Mike Mower`s "The Kipper", and a second piece I am unable to name at this time. Recital host Oliver Newell closed the recital performance with J.S. Bach`s Chorale From Cantata 1, and Wayne Shorter`s Nefertiti.

     Thanks to Christ The King Catholic Church for granting the use of their facility. I also want to thank my students, families, and friends who came out to  support our young musicians, and adult instrumentalist. Thanks to our accompanist Hans Barbe, and our recital host Mr. Oliver Newell.

Enjoyed my dark roast

     I did it! yes, after 12 visits I finally got my free large French roast (dark roast) coffee. Those of you who know me - knows how I drink my coffee; plain - no cream or sugar. See, I have a Biggby Coffee coffee card, and after 12 visits you get a free cup of coffee. Of course I purchase something, I mean that blueberry muffin was calling my name.

     As a coffee snob I just had to share this with you, and I hope some day you and my friends can sit for a cup of coffee and discuss music, film, and other exciting topics. By the way, if you ever get a chance to catch one of my gigs, and feel ever-so incline to buy me a drink, get me a coffee with Irish cream.

Documentary - To Educate A Girl

     As an educator I know the value of education, and it`s not just simply to get a job, but how to think. Don`t get me wrong, I am not diminishing the importance of seeking employment; getting a job is something to be celebrated, especially in times of economic and political uncertainty. I am saying education allows you the opportunity to live your dreams by creating your dreams, and giving you the intellectual and practical tools you need to bring those dreams to reality. But just how accessible is education to everybody? I would say here in the United States education is very accessible to American citizens. Sure, there are debates and arguments regarding the quality education in the US, but in general, education is accessible to Americans. How accessible is education to others around the World, especially for girls?

     To Educate A Girl seeks to answer this question - what does it take to educate a girl? This documentary from producers/directors Frederick Rendina and Oren Rudavsky is in response to the United Nations global initiative to provide girls with equal access to education by 2015. To Educate A Girl had its debut at the October 10, 2010 Mill Valley Film Festival, with a LINK TV broadcast premiere on June 24, 2011, and was rebroadcast on June 28. This is an important documentary to see, and you can view it now by going to http://www.viewchange.org/videos/to-educate-a-girl.

     As a father of a beautiful daughter who means the world to me, I want my daughter to have equal access to education, and other opportunities open and available to all. Let me know what you think; post a comment to this blog.

Does Christianity keep African Americans believing in fairy tales?

     I found an on-line article in the Examiner - San Francisco, at www.examiner.com/dating-advice-in-san-francisco/ entitled Christianity Keeps African Americans Believing In Fairy Tales (San Francisco, Oct. 14, 2010). I urge you to go to the link and see what Deborrah Cooper has to say.

     I have notice many times people speak of the Church in generalizations, and this seems to be what Cooper is doing in her article. Cooper ask the question whether or not the Black Church has outlived it usefulness to Black Americans? Does this question deserve a response? The Church represents salvation in the name of Jesus Christ - our Lord and Savior, and is based upon our Faith in the Holy Trinity; Faith, not fairy tales. So, how does the Church outlive its usefulness? it doesn`t! not for believers.

     Ms. Cooper goes on to pin-point  problems in the African American community by talking about statistics  saying "statistically, Black people are the most religious ethnic group in the nation, yet have the highest rate of incarceration, poverty, infant mortality, single parent homes, unemployment, and HIV/AIDS". Look, we cannot deny these problems exist in our communities, but our problems also stem from an unique history that to this day still negatively effects us economically, educationally, psychologocally, and sociologically. If anything, those problems sited gives more relevance to the importance of Christianity developing Faith, and serving the needs of believers and non-believers.

     Church is not a hindrance to Black achievement; it celebrates it. The Black Church has provided a templet for many of us to learn how to function in business, politics, and other areas of human endeavors. Cooper talks about limitations placed on our minds, achievements, and relationships, thanks to Christianity, but it seems to me having Faith increases those areas of our lives.

     At the end of the day each person is responsible for what they believe or do not believe. I believe the 66 books of the Bible are the sacred words of God given to us as an account of history, poems, songs, and stories that many of us live by, because we do believe, and we choose to believe. For non-believers who choose to view Christianity as simply fairy tales, you have the right to do so, especially in a free society, but for those of us who believe, we call it Faith. 

Clarinet and saxophone players; what kind of reed are you using, and why?

     Someone once told me a long time ago that reeds are like underware; very personal. I don`t think reeds are so personal we can`t talk about our favorite brand(s), but I do think reeds are personal from the standpoint of us as clarinetist and saxophonist finding our artistic voice. I have to say on tenor saxophone  the Rico Royal - #3 is my personal favorite.

     I enjoy the Rico Royal because it is for my money the most consistent, enjoyable, reliable, and trustworthy reeds I have played. The Rico Royal works well in classical, jazz, and vernacular music styles, as I said, the Rico Royal is consistent!

     Rico Royals are reeds that are products of Rico Reeds, which is a division of D`Addario & Company, Inc. The Rico Royal is one of seven classical tenor saxophone reeds produced by Rico. Characterist of the Rico Royal  is its traditional French filed cut for increased response, especially in the low register of the saxophone.

     That`s my choice, but what is yours? Post your answer in the comment section of this blog, and please, join my blog.