Monday, August 17, 2020
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Boy Bands (Male Vocal Groups)
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Boy Bands (Male Vocal Groups): One of my favorite male vocal groups would have to be the Stylistics. Everyone has their personal favorites, but I was sold on the Sty...
Boy Bands (Male Vocal Groups)
One of my favorite male vocal groups would have to be the Stylistics. Everyone has their personal favorites, but I was sold on the Stylistics in the early 1970s when they came-out with their hit "People Make The World Go Round". Notice, I said Male Vocal Group! My subject for this blog is on Boy Bands.
Boy bands go back to the 19th century with a capella barbershop quartets. In general, barbershop quartets were groups that sung in four part harmony. Barbershop harmony is American part singing performed in barbershops by unaccompanied male singers, with the melody sung by the second voice from the top. One of the earliest boy band groups were The Ink Spots, popularized in the 1930s and 40s.
The Ink Spots were a doo-wop group. Boy bands such as The Coasters, The Drifters, and many others represented late 40s and early 50s doo-wop style. Staples of boy bands are matching outfits, and singing in harmony, The Beatles met that criteria in the 1960s. However, The Beatles played their own instruments, and wrote songs. In the 1970s The Jackson 5 and The Osmonds were popular boy bands during that time. By the 1980s New Edition and New Kids On The Block were popular groups, as were Boy II Men, Backstreet Boys, and Nsync in the 1990s. In the 2000s the Jonas Brothers was the popular boy band, and One Direction in the 2010s. Currently, popular boy bands are K - Pop (Korean pop) groups that use synthesized music, dance routines, and colorful wardrops.
What about The Temptations, and other popular singing groups from Motown, Philadelphia International, and other labels. Are they boy bands? I do not feel comfortable embracing that title, but one could make that argument. I think a more suitable term is male vocal group.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Exposure On Linkedin
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Exposure On Linkedin: When I was a young musician just starting out, if someone wanted you to perform for free they would say something to the effect of - I ...
Exposure On Linkedin
When I was a young musician just starting out, if someone wanted you to perform for free they would say something to the effect of - I can`t pay you, but "think of all the exposure you will get". There is a value in exposure. I am not saying musicians should work for free for exposure, but non the less exposure is important. Exposure on social media is a viable tool to let audiences know who we are, and when and where we are in performance.
As musicians we use social media to further our musical careers. Linkedin is an underused social media outlet for thousands of music industry people. Benefits of Linkedin are as such:
1. Connecting with people you need.
2. Maintaining connections.
3. Professional appearance.
4. Research opportunities.
Linkedin is intended for those who are serious about the business side of music. Also, Linkedin is a promotional tool musicians can use for greater exposure. Linkedin is for those who want to manage their own business, and self-promote.
Through Linkedin musicians can participate in group conversations, and add meaningful discussions to topics while contributing to others in on-line conversations. However, Linkedin is a commitment if used correctly. After all, you cannot expect others to follow you if you are not following them. Linkedin also offers you an ability to add your special and unique insight to discussions.
Linkedin is a great resource for professional networking and letting others know what products, services, performances, and other music business activities you have to offer. Through Linkedin you can create a "Company Page" for your ensemble, create projects on your profile, become involved in Linkedin groups, and follow "thought leaders" or "influencers" on Linkedin. Contact Linkedin for more information at www.linkedin.com if you are not a member of this social network, and get the exposure you deserve.
As musicians we use social media to further our musical careers. Linkedin is an underused social media outlet for thousands of music industry people. Benefits of Linkedin are as such:
1. Connecting with people you need.
2. Maintaining connections.
3. Professional appearance.
4. Research opportunities.
Linkedin is intended for those who are serious about the business side of music. Also, Linkedin is a promotional tool musicians can use for greater exposure. Linkedin is for those who want to manage their own business, and self-promote.
Through Linkedin musicians can participate in group conversations, and add meaningful discussions to topics while contributing to others in on-line conversations. However, Linkedin is a commitment if used correctly. After all, you cannot expect others to follow you if you are not following them. Linkedin also offers you an ability to add your special and unique insight to discussions.
Linkedin is a great resource for professional networking and letting others know what products, services, performances, and other music business activities you have to offer. Through Linkedin you can create a "Company Page" for your ensemble, create projects on your profile, become involved in Linkedin groups, and follow "thought leaders" or "influencers" on Linkedin. Contact Linkedin for more information at www.linkedin.com if you are not a member of this social network, and get the exposure you deserve.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: The Creator Has A Master Plan
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: The Creator Has A Master Plan: My first experience listening to Pharoah Sanders was as a teenager in the middle 1970`s. I purchased "Live At The East", and ...
The Creator Has A Master Plan
My first experience listening to Pharoah Sanders was as a teenager in the middle 1970`s. I purchased "Live At The East", and for some reason I associated Live AT The East with Pharoah Sanders` "The Creator Has A Master Plan". I cannot remember much about this album, but I do recall the album cover having a photo of Pharoah Sanders performing live in what I assume was a club. This was not my favorite album, but it did bring me closer to jazz.
Pharoah Sanders (Ferrell Sanders) was born on October 13, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating from high school Ferrell Sanders moved to Oakland, CA. While in Oakland he befriended John Coltrane as he played gigs on the West coast. In 1961, Ferrell Sanders moved to New York City. While taking-on odd jobs to make a living Ferrell Sanders worked as a chef in a coffee shop called the Playhouse, and there he met Sun Ra.
Ferrell Sanders played with Sun Ra and his Arkestra for a brief period, and it was Ferrell Sanders` brief association with Sun Ra that influenced his name change from Ferrell Sanders to "Pharoah Sanders". After Pharoah Sanders` time with Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders reestablished his contact with John Coltrane. Pharoah Sanders would remain with John Coltrane until his death.
In November of 1966, Pharoah Sanders recorded his first album with the Impulse label called Tauhid, at Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Englewood, NJ. John Coltrane greatly influenced Pharoah Sanders` playing, while Sun Ra would go on to influence Pharoah Sanders` celebrity. Pharoah Sanders` incendiary shredding of his sound is a direct result of his time spent touring with John Coltrane. It is with John Coltrane that Pharoah Sanders began overblowing, shrieking, and using extended techniques on saxophone. Pharoah Sanders` sound is a combination from his time spent with John Coltrane in Japan, and his interest in reading about ancient Egypt. This mixture influenced and gave the jazz world Tauhid. "Tauhid balanced the incendiary sax shredding of Sanders` years with Coltrane with a newfound lyricism and patience, letting each song unfold at a natural pace" (How Pharoah Sanders Brought Jazz To Its Spiritual Peak With His Impulse! Albums, May 5, 2016, by Andy Beta).
Pharoah Sanders received much criticism on Tauhid (and other recordings) for his use of overblowing techniques. Vocalist Leon Thomas recorded Tauhid with Pharoah Sanders, and would go on to record the LP "Karma". "The Creator Has A Master Plan" is on the Karma recording. The Creator Has A Master Plan is a recording that goes for 33 - minutes between soul music and free jazz. The Creator Has A Master Plan is said to be vary sacred, as well as mystical and beautiful. In terms of free jazz, The Creator Has A Master Plan was a hit. Other albums to follow during those Impulse years from 1966 through the 1970`s are Jewels Of Thought, and Summun Bukmun Umyum. Pharoah Sanders and his nonet would go on to tour.
Pharoah Sanders` music draws from world religions centering on the message of peace. Other albums to be recorded during the Impulse years are "Black Unity" and "Elevation". In all, Pharoah Sanders recorded and released 11 albums during seven years, leaving Impulse in 1973, but continuing on his musical journey.
Pharoah Sanders (Ferrell Sanders) was born on October 13, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating from high school Ferrell Sanders moved to Oakland, CA. While in Oakland he befriended John Coltrane as he played gigs on the West coast. In 1961, Ferrell Sanders moved to New York City. While taking-on odd jobs to make a living Ferrell Sanders worked as a chef in a coffee shop called the Playhouse, and there he met Sun Ra.
Ferrell Sanders played with Sun Ra and his Arkestra for a brief period, and it was Ferrell Sanders` brief association with Sun Ra that influenced his name change from Ferrell Sanders to "Pharoah Sanders". After Pharoah Sanders` time with Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders reestablished his contact with John Coltrane. Pharoah Sanders would remain with John Coltrane until his death.
In November of 1966, Pharoah Sanders recorded his first album with the Impulse label called Tauhid, at Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Englewood, NJ. John Coltrane greatly influenced Pharoah Sanders` playing, while Sun Ra would go on to influence Pharoah Sanders` celebrity. Pharoah Sanders` incendiary shredding of his sound is a direct result of his time spent touring with John Coltrane. It is with John Coltrane that Pharoah Sanders began overblowing, shrieking, and using extended techniques on saxophone. Pharoah Sanders` sound is a combination from his time spent with John Coltrane in Japan, and his interest in reading about ancient Egypt. This mixture influenced and gave the jazz world Tauhid. "Tauhid balanced the incendiary sax shredding of Sanders` years with Coltrane with a newfound lyricism and patience, letting each song unfold at a natural pace" (How Pharoah Sanders Brought Jazz To Its Spiritual Peak With His Impulse! Albums, May 5, 2016, by Andy Beta).
Pharoah Sanders received much criticism on Tauhid (and other recordings) for his use of overblowing techniques. Vocalist Leon Thomas recorded Tauhid with Pharoah Sanders, and would go on to record the LP "Karma". "The Creator Has A Master Plan" is on the Karma recording. The Creator Has A Master Plan is a recording that goes for 33 - minutes between soul music and free jazz. The Creator Has A Master Plan is said to be vary sacred, as well as mystical and beautiful. In terms of free jazz, The Creator Has A Master Plan was a hit. Other albums to follow during those Impulse years from 1966 through the 1970`s are Jewels Of Thought, and Summun Bukmun Umyum. Pharoah Sanders and his nonet would go on to tour.
Pharoah Sanders` music draws from world religions centering on the message of peace. Other albums to be recorded during the Impulse years are "Black Unity" and "Elevation". In all, Pharoah Sanders recorded and released 11 albums during seven years, leaving Impulse in 1973, but continuing on his musical journey.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Arts and Crafts - Making Homemade Drums
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Arts and Crafts - Making Homemade Drums: Looking for a great activity to do with your kids? How about making drums with your children. This is a great arts and crafts activity ...
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