Tuesday, April 28, 2015

~ Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Les Tomkins interviews Tubby Hayes & Sal Nistico

LISTEN...TO THIS INTERVIEW OF TUBBY AND SAL ; Les Tomkins interviews Tubby Hayes & Sal Nistico ..Click here-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76d36R7Xcas THESE TWO TENOR PLAYERS.....Are two of the most important players ever!! A heads up to the young students out there- these are guys you should be closely listening to. Know your history! Must have- double CD featuring the British tenor giant Tubby Hayes, caught here in scintillating form live at the Ronnie Scott Club, London 1964. Sitting in with the maestro were visiting Americans Cat Anderson (in town with the Duke Ellington Orchestra) and tenor man Sal Nistico of the Woody Herman band together with the then rising young bass star Albert Stinson. Also on hand were the Swede Rolf Ericson (also with the Duke) and ace Scottish trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar - leader of the Quintet on Disc Two and a regular soul mate of Tubby's over the years. The double set is topped off with an interview of Tubby and Sal Nistico conducted by producer Les Tomkins. This is an excellent 2 disc set comprised of various live club dates from 1964 featuring Hayes. Tubby's playing is excellent throughout - However the highlight of this two disc set is the recording of "Stella By Starlight". Taken at a slightly up midtempo This is perhaps a rare glimpse into a phenomenal Jazz musician digging deep down and really stretching out. The pianist sits out during Tubby's solo and Hayes just practically burns the club down. Very interesting to hear him fill the spaces with just bass and drums. This is a solo where Hayes is totally exploring and pushing the boundries - particularly rhythmically - sounding at times a bit like Rollins - in his pianoless trio formats. Hayes had such tremendous drive - and played with near locomotive force - this is just astounding work. There is alot of other marvelous music in this two disc set but "Stella" alone is worth the price of admission. TODAY...this blog is about two giants I love...and you should too- any saxophonist worth their salt should be very aware of these guys.Sal was a teacher of mine and a very good friend and life long inspiration. To hear his voice here with Tubby is beyond words. ENJOY - - Tim Price....

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Reflections on the artistic process & more.

I practice everyday, and I practice for at least 2 hours before I do anything. I don't do it because I think that Mike Stern or Sting is going to call. < I wish they would > I do it because it's the one thing in life that has been a constant for me. So few things in life ever remain the same, if any. But the saxophone < and my woodwinds > is the same every day.To me, it's the best ever deal you can make in life. If you work hard and practice at your saxophone , you get better. It's that simple! Think about it. Still grateful to be playing and learning. Looking forward to each gig and rehearsal and student, trying to stay in that vibe. And learn what I can from it. All human beings are linked together through the timeless, universal chain of history and events.The musician links to the practice room and the bandstand. Various life developments have been born in both environs. ~ The first stage involves absorption of principles and techniques that have already been accepted as standard in the field , the artist personalizes past and contemporary styles, meaning active participation in real world. This is why, I've always felt the need to play with all kinds of musicians, any age and of course working heavily with students to develop their "real world" skills. So- till next week - practice hard and eat more vegetables and fruit. Don't forget to do something nice for somebody too, remember compassion is essential with each other. I’m grateful for the music that was inspired by and created in the 60’s: Miles Davis, John Coltrane and all the great Bluenote recordings (Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Hank Mobley)There was a profound sense of exploration and subtlety in all this music.I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to hear Ed Beach in New York, a radio station that was jazz music. I’m grateful to have grown up in an era when a middle class family could go on nice vacations, own a house, send their kid to college < Berklee >without going into serious debt. This was also an era when you could be a “starving artist” in New York City, and not actually starve.I came though it and learned something from it. ...AS USUAL...Here's some things to practice and shed- hope they help. See you all next week- thank you. Grateful for your attention and reading this- TIM PRICE...For D'Addario Woodwinds Blog ; ;