Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tim Price Bloggin For Rico- A beautiful day hangin' with Ernie Watts.
...What a beautiful day with Ernie Watts at my home... Getting the Raagini < a drone machine used for tanpura by Indian musicians> in our zone... great fish and veggies...Charlie Mariano playing " Plum Island"...Ernie sharing the book " The Divine Matrix" by Gregg Braden with me...What a beautiful day...This is why I am who I am.... A traveler in this life...beyond the everyday sensory experience. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ~ I am always uplifted by Ernie Watts blend of personal story telling and how the latest findings contribute to his own personal self-realizations. Be it in the music, or a personal experience in this life, travel, health and daily stuff. Over the past few days Ernie have been in touch- as he is on an East Coast leg of a CharlieHaden Quartet West tour that ends up with his performance at Berks Jazz Festival, in my hometown, with the Air Force Band. I heard Quartet West on Friday in New York City. This band is the place to be, a inner musical world that rings true. Everytime I hear them with Ernie Watts, it is an asset to not just me but the to higher levels of creativity in this music we love, always reaching and inspiring. My respect for the splendor Ernie creates within his art is beyond words. The color and the significance…and the way his music has touched my heart for decades is inspirational. --- We've known each other for 25 years! We were having a conversation at the New York City gig, and he remembers the day we finally met, and the exact parts of that day like it was yesterday. And let me add, here is a man who is on the road 24-7, and always meeting people. A Saxophone Journal article I did on him over 22 years ago was something the editor still refered to as the best article he ever published. Ernie has been an asset to me in more ways than he knows through visualization and the the energy of emotions applied and focused to the music we play. He's helped me find that energetic space in which you actually become that which is imagined in your minds goals. Of course he also inspires me with his daily practice with his outlook because it embodies something to chew on, think and meditate on. Something that addresses not just my logical mind but my inner wisdom mind as well as a musician. Ernie Watts has always been a huge supporter of all I do as a player, author and friend. He has recommended me for gigs, gone the distance verbally to let people know my energy and committment is something special to him. For that, I am always ever grateful. I've believed that there is a highrer reason that people like Ernie and I are connected. We both are from the Charlie Mariano mind set and have been at Berklee at various different times. Our love of everything from Count Basie and Trane to Indian meditaional music is always a deep conversation. The overall concept is that there is a web of energy where all things begin and all possibilities exist. It's this "web" that connects us to everyone and everything, and through which we bring possibilities into existence. ---- I've heard of Gregg Braden's pioneering work over the years, on the Zero Point, the Science of Compassion, the Isaiah Effect, and the God Code. Somehow never checked him out. Yesterday while Ernie was in my home studio, he showed me his copy of the book by Greg called "Discovering the Divine Matrix: The Mystery That Connects All Things." WOW! I ordered it immediatly on Amazon. --- Other highlights were the DVD I shared with him about our mentor Charlie Mariano. It was a special thing to do this as Charlie touched us deeply in music and life. The DVD showed us why Charlie was so important in this music and why we were inspired by his sound and vision. Charlie in Ernies word always states " Charlie Mariano is a timeless human being". That idea and his personal aspect that provided the enrichment. I was loving Ernies fascination with my Raagini drone machine that is used for tanpura by Indian musicians. I have been using it for the past 5 years in many aspects of practice, study and internalization of things in my mind. The Electronic Tambora comes with digitally-tuned pitch Pitch Range, this makes it very versatile to tune with. Raagini is set to play Pa, Sa, Sa Sa (Kharaj) ( 6 Matras, Carnatic music style). Pressing Select switch while switching on Raagini Tambura sets it to play Pa, Sa, Sa Sa (Kharaj) (5 Matras, Hindustani Music Style). Then there is the keyboard style display. For me also I adore the external speaker socket to connect it to bigger external speakers. As many of you can imagine the dimensions I can get with that aspect and my electro-bassoon are beautiful. Ernie probally has ordered his last night upon returning to his hotel before he hit the bed! Ha haha!! I used the machine as well to work on long tones on my woodwinds, experiment with harmonys against the drone and much more. ... Couple all this with a great dinner made by my wife Marcia, and some great conversation at dinner and you've got a beautiful day with Ernie Watts at my home. He'll return, count on it as we share a brotherhood of supreme friendship, sympatico and search. It has been my belief that spending time in the music with like minds like Ernie has a direct and measurable effect on the quality of life. This I believe can be an asset in concrete ways-- a very good one. Ever since hearing him in the late 60's on his record " Planet Love" I was hooked- to know him on this level is a blessing. Speaking of which, it's 8:53 here on the East Coast and I got to go practice some things from the Slominsky book that Ernie and I were talking about yesterday. In closing this weeks blog, yesterday conformed my vision in life of love, strength, and balance in music and life. Always keep your focus on dreams and visions close dear reader, along with a larger picture of unconditional human faith. Your music will blossom- and results will be inspiring to you and others. See ya'll next week. ~ Tim Price
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tim Price Bloggin' For Rico- Soulful Tenor Madness hits Berks Jazz Festival ! Here I am again... up on the stage.
~Out there in the spotlight... You're a million miles away...Every ounce of energy ...You try to give away ...As the sweat pours out your body...
Like the music that you play..Here I am... Up on the stage...There I go... Turn the page *....
~ Well...Here we are again. And as the page turns... it's time for Tim Price & Ryan Anselmi & Soulful Tenor Madness to take the stage at Berks Jazz Festival. Thursday night we open Berks Jazz Festival. We hit at 7:00 with a band I'm proud of for a few reasons. So here I go again, you don't form a band through an employment agency, job search or anything like that. In cases like this, in real bands, the end result is from playing and time spent on the bandstand playing. Finding out where it's at, what works and what doesn't. Sometimes it's fun-sometimes it's just plain nasty. People come, people go...music forms and there you go. This band came from knowing Ryan Anselmi as a student at where I teach in New York City at the New School University. He started as a private student of mine. Once after a lesson we were talking about the scene in NYC jazz. I mentioned that we should put a band together that hit hard jazz with some soul funk Chittlin Circuit stuff. Not just a project that was an organ group but a working band.
So we did, we started to play once a month gigs at The Garage on 7th Ave in New York City. The heart of Greenwich Village in NYC. I had my doubts, and was surprized at the reaction to the live audiences on weekend nights.Next thing I know- we got the place jammed with people. All kinds of people, tourists that came for dinner and stayed all night standing in front of the band loving it. Couples that enjoyed the funky ballads that brought on romantic mind sets. I dug it because it was what I've done all my life-eg- played with a band that _RELATED_to a live crowd and did four sets a night. Ending at 2:30 in the morning. The band got tighter, we added Tom Abbott on tenor, finally got Brad Whitley and were swinging from day one with Kim Gary. Tom and Ryan were saxophone-woodwind students of mine, so what I'm going to say could be a tad personal because I know what they can do and what they worked for. These two guys are two of the most focused and real young saxophonists on todays scene. WHY? They have roots in real music. That my friends is called paying your dues, and they have learned from it. You can hear that when they play. That's where it counts, when the tune is counted off. The talk stops then and the music starts. That's where I like to live. Count the tune and let reality speak loud. It all stops then.
Ryan holds the tenor saxophone gig with lazz legend Junior Mance. When Junior was on tour last year with James Moody, Ryan was right there aside of Moody playing. Tom Abbott holds a weekly big band gig on 46th street and plays a lot at the famed 55 BAR as well. They make me proud!
The bands roots are in the grease and groove of bands that I played with on the Chitlin' Circuit. I'm quite happy also that I am helping some young cats in this music. In 1973 when I graduated from Berklee, reality hits. You stare into the abyss, and the abyss kicks your ass with reality! Making a living. Now what?! There's no business course that can prepare you for what's there, and what's not there. Playing " Inner Urge" or " ESP" to a crowd of folks on a Friday night in Newark, Coney Island or Trenton could mean your life! Decisions need to be made, and the groove is on! The chittlin' band circuit is long gone but what I learned is not!
This Thursday night at Gerald Veaslys Jazz Base via the Berks Jazz Festival- we'll hit the stage. With a band that I'm proud of. Everyone in that band is worthy of mention. Brad is one of the organ players that gets the leslie speaker grind on the quarter note into the drummers high-hat. That grease that Mc Duff and his drummer Joe Dukes were famous for. That push and hit that Don Patterson and his drummer Billy James got. These are things I didn't read in a book or hear someone on the web say, they are things I learned by being there on the gigs, on the road 24/7 . As I used to gig with Don Patterson and McDuff a lot on the circuit. Drummer Kim Gary is from Kansas City- and she sounds it! She also holds the drum chair with jazz legend Junior Mance. To say the least I'm looking forward to this gig- and the music.
Info here;
http://www.berksjazzfest.com/artistsprofiles2011.htm#Tim_Price,_Ryan_Anselmis_Soulful_Tenor_Madness
I've played Berks Jazz Festival almost ever year since they started.
Last year- I was glad I was not playing due to this vitreous hemorrhage in my right eye. I'm on my way to being back to normal. This was no walk in the park I'll tell you! On the Jazz Fest vibe, I never thougt anything like this might ever happen in my local hometown. A great event that should be more than once a year! Reading Pa has turned out some legendary jazz players like Gerry Mulligan, Dick Hafer, Jim Ryder and Gary Klein just to mention a few that my teacher Sam Correnti taught while they were here. Sam by the way was one great man, a teacher who also knew the road- he was real. Ditto Joe Miller- another great Berks musician, fantastic guy and a real jazz player who taught me a lot as a kid. Joe was the best local Berks jazz saxist of that era- bar none. Joe and Sam both assets to Berks County. And so is this wonderful festival, the folks that produce it, are a total groove and work hard. I appreciate everyone of them. They do rock!
~ Last but not least, this Sunday I do a gig of another dimension. This one is a jazz workshop. Education which I've been a part of every chance I get.Why? To help the students and help they get in touch with the music- on a level that has REALITY.
It also helps the music bringing new blood into it.
Here are some details.
• The Tim Price Adventures In Jazz Workshop Series at Berks Jazz Festival at Boscovs East. Sunday March 27 th at 12 noon.
Any student may bring their horn and sit in. (Students only)Playing jazz should be just as natural and relaxed as talking. This is saxophonist Tim Price’s philosophy.Price is hosting a free workshop with a focus on blues and standards for students interested in furthering their jazz skills.
He will be joined by bassist Bruce Ketterer and former student alto saxophonist Nathan Bellott, as well as other hand-picked musicians, in offering students a fun and relaxing way to increase their knowledge of jazz.“Jazz In the Classroom at Boscov’s East,” part of Price’s Adventures in Jazz series, is an homage to the masters he associated with at Berklee College of Music in Boston.Tim Price’s mission is to promote jazz education and performance.
The band with tim on this workshop is; Nathan Bellott, saxophone, Charlie Sigler, guitar, Bruce Ketterer bass, Aaron Seeber, drums
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT...Another set of fun things to play and enjoy. Hope to see some of you there. If your not,hear Ryan and me at the GARAGE in NYC April 15. In any case, like I said, I feel good about it. Now dear reader you know why!
Till next week-I see ya'll on this RICO REEDS blog. Thanks.
As the sweat pours out your body... Like the music that you play.....*
~ Tim Price
* Lyric references- With great respect to Bob Seger .
He sure knows from where he speaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe7yOccqdxI&NR=1
* On a personal note- I would like to thank a few people for being who they are. They helped me,made stuff happen and understood. Thanks to my wife Marcia, the entire Soulful Tenor Madness band- I love ya'll , David Cross, Claire Daly, Chris Langelotti, Junior Mance, Andrew Hadro, Rob Polan & Kupkake, Mac Rebennack, Kristin McKeon, everyone at Rico Reeds, Theo Wanne, Tom Wanne, Kenny Brooks, Bobby Weir, Larry Geiger, Patrick Selmer, Nathan Bellott, Jim Wardrop, Steven Tyler, John Ernesto, Gary Spencer, Dr . Fischer @ Wills Eye, Dr. Carim, Dr. Frank Tellez, Mj Jones, and Sue Moll. Lastly my mom and aunt for stopping at a E.J Korvette store in Jersey in the 60's where I bought my first Gene Ammons-Sonny Stitt- Jack McDuff record for 2.99. Soulful Tenor Madness is doing 3 tunes from that record! Dig it! Thanks all of you.
Like the music that you play..Here I am... Up on the stage...There I go... Turn the page *....
~ Well...Here we are again. And as the page turns... it's time for Tim Price & Ryan Anselmi & Soulful Tenor Madness to take the stage at Berks Jazz Festival. Thursday night we open Berks Jazz Festival. We hit at 7:00 with a band I'm proud of for a few reasons. So here I go again, you don't form a band through an employment agency, job search or anything like that. In cases like this, in real bands, the end result is from playing and time spent on the bandstand playing. Finding out where it's at, what works and what doesn't. Sometimes it's fun-sometimes it's just plain nasty. People come, people go...music forms and there you go. This band came from knowing Ryan Anselmi as a student at where I teach in New York City at the New School University. He started as a private student of mine. Once after a lesson we were talking about the scene in NYC jazz. I mentioned that we should put a band together that hit hard jazz with some soul funk Chittlin Circuit stuff. Not just a project that was an organ group but a working band.
So we did, we started to play once a month gigs at The Garage on 7th Ave in New York City. The heart of Greenwich Village in NYC. I had my doubts, and was surprized at the reaction to the live audiences on weekend nights.Next thing I know- we got the place jammed with people. All kinds of people, tourists that came for dinner and stayed all night standing in front of the band loving it. Couples that enjoyed the funky ballads that brought on romantic mind sets. I dug it because it was what I've done all my life-eg- played with a band that _RELATED_to a live crowd and did four sets a night. Ending at 2:30 in the morning. The band got tighter, we added Tom Abbott on tenor, finally got Brad Whitley and were swinging from day one with Kim Gary. Tom and Ryan were saxophone-woodwind students of mine, so what I'm going to say could be a tad personal because I know what they can do and what they worked for. These two guys are two of the most focused and real young saxophonists on todays scene. WHY? They have roots in real music. That my friends is called paying your dues, and they have learned from it. You can hear that when they play. That's where it counts, when the tune is counted off. The talk stops then and the music starts. That's where I like to live. Count the tune and let reality speak loud. It all stops then.
Ryan holds the tenor saxophone gig with lazz legend Junior Mance. When Junior was on tour last year with James Moody, Ryan was right there aside of Moody playing. Tom Abbott holds a weekly big band gig on 46th street and plays a lot at the famed 55 BAR as well. They make me proud!
The bands roots are in the grease and groove of bands that I played with on the Chitlin' Circuit. I'm quite happy also that I am helping some young cats in this music. In 1973 when I graduated from Berklee, reality hits. You stare into the abyss, and the abyss kicks your ass with reality! Making a living. Now what?! There's no business course that can prepare you for what's there, and what's not there. Playing " Inner Urge" or " ESP" to a crowd of folks on a Friday night in Newark, Coney Island or Trenton could mean your life! Decisions need to be made, and the groove is on! The chittlin' band circuit is long gone but what I learned is not!
This Thursday night at Gerald Veaslys Jazz Base via the Berks Jazz Festival- we'll hit the stage. With a band that I'm proud of. Everyone in that band is worthy of mention. Brad is one of the organ players that gets the leslie speaker grind on the quarter note into the drummers high-hat. That grease that Mc Duff and his drummer Joe Dukes were famous for. That push and hit that Don Patterson and his drummer Billy James got. These are things I didn't read in a book or hear someone on the web say, they are things I learned by being there on the gigs, on the road 24/7 . As I used to gig with Don Patterson and McDuff a lot on the circuit. Drummer Kim Gary is from Kansas City- and she sounds it! She also holds the drum chair with jazz legend Junior Mance. To say the least I'm looking forward to this gig- and the music.
Info here;
http://www.berksjazzfest.com/artistsprofiles2011.htm#Tim_Price,_Ryan_Anselmis_Soulful_Tenor_Madness
I've played Berks Jazz Festival almost ever year since they started.
Last year- I was glad I was not playing due to this vitreous hemorrhage in my right eye. I'm on my way to being back to normal. This was no walk in the park I'll tell you! On the Jazz Fest vibe, I never thougt anything like this might ever happen in my local hometown. A great event that should be more than once a year! Reading Pa has turned out some legendary jazz players like Gerry Mulligan, Dick Hafer, Jim Ryder and Gary Klein just to mention a few that my teacher Sam Correnti taught while they were here. Sam by the way was one great man, a teacher who also knew the road- he was real. Ditto Joe Miller- another great Berks musician, fantastic guy and a real jazz player who taught me a lot as a kid. Joe was the best local Berks jazz saxist of that era- bar none. Joe and Sam both assets to Berks County. And so is this wonderful festival, the folks that produce it, are a total groove and work hard. I appreciate everyone of them. They do rock!
~ Last but not least, this Sunday I do a gig of another dimension. This one is a jazz workshop. Education which I've been a part of every chance I get.Why? To help the students and help they get in touch with the music- on a level that has REALITY.
It also helps the music bringing new blood into it.
Here are some details.
• The Tim Price Adventures In Jazz Workshop Series at Berks Jazz Festival at Boscovs East. Sunday March 27 th at 12 noon.
Any student may bring their horn and sit in. (Students only)Playing jazz should be just as natural and relaxed as talking. This is saxophonist Tim Price’s philosophy.Price is hosting a free workshop with a focus on blues and standards for students interested in furthering their jazz skills.
He will be joined by bassist Bruce Ketterer and former student alto saxophonist Nathan Bellott, as well as other hand-picked musicians, in offering students a fun and relaxing way to increase their knowledge of jazz.“Jazz In the Classroom at Boscov’s East,” part of Price’s Adventures in Jazz series, is an homage to the masters he associated with at Berklee College of Music in Boston.Tim Price’s mission is to promote jazz education and performance.
The band with tim on this workshop is; Nathan Bellott, saxophone, Charlie Sigler, guitar, Bruce Ketterer bass, Aaron Seeber, drums
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT...Another set of fun things to play and enjoy. Hope to see some of you there. If your not,hear Ryan and me at the GARAGE in NYC April 15. In any case, like I said, I feel good about it. Now dear reader you know why!
Till next week-I see ya'll on this RICO REEDS blog. Thanks.
As the sweat pours out your body... Like the music that you play.....*
~ Tim Price
* Lyric references- With great respect to Bob Seger .
He sure knows from where he speaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe7yOccqdxI&NR=1
* On a personal note- I would like to thank a few people for being who they are. They helped me,made stuff happen and understood. Thanks to my wife Marcia, the entire Soulful Tenor Madness band- I love ya'll , David Cross, Claire Daly, Chris Langelotti, Junior Mance, Andrew Hadro, Rob Polan & Kupkake, Mac Rebennack, Kristin McKeon, everyone at Rico Reeds, Theo Wanne, Tom Wanne, Kenny Brooks, Bobby Weir, Larry Geiger, Patrick Selmer, Nathan Bellott, Jim Wardrop, Steven Tyler, John Ernesto, Gary Spencer, Dr . Fischer @ Wills Eye, Dr. Carim, Dr. Frank Tellez, Mj Jones, and Sue Moll. Lastly my mom and aunt for stopping at a E.J Korvette store in Jersey in the 60's where I bought my first Gene Ammons-Sonny Stitt- Jack McDuff record for 2.99. Soulful Tenor Madness is doing 3 tunes from that record! Dig it! Thanks all of you.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tim Price Bloggin' For Rico- March 2011 in the TP Lane.
Happy March to you all!
Hope it is filled with nice notes and some new musical activity. The winter in my area, has been beautiful this year. Also I've been checking out some red bananas,which are a variety of bananas with a reddish-purple skin. They are smaller and plumper than the traditional Cavendish banana! My favorite breakfast is granola with blueberrys, bananas , and milk.
I’ve been home writing and listening to music for some inspiration.Teaching a lot too, on Skype and in the studio.
Two musical works I have heard that are worth mentioning are the Chu Berry Mosaic box set.This is a comprehensive collection . It features 203 separate recordings on seven CDs . Every saxophonist must study his remarkable surefootedness as a soloist; Chu was in an era where evolution in the music was running rampant and Chu Berry's tenor saxophone was one of the things making it run.
Also a double DVD of Keith Jarrett playing live.Beautiful! Two different ends of the spectrum, but, never the less, both moving and creative. Really inspiring music!
For the shed; I have some very interesting concepts here, and things that are fun and provoke some fresh ideas on II-V. II-V-I Patterns: Starting on the Tonic of the II Minor 7 Chord.
This lesson in seven parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 , August 2002 This is a very clear and useful lesson using II-V. Lots to play/study. http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/II-V-I-Patterns1.html I've taken a basic study and then moved it through six steps. Then I included one of my own based on a variation of some of the first six. I think it's always good for all of us to go back to a basic pattern study to clear our ears and refresh our chops. Look at all six shapes. As you start to hear the line, go back and write something of your own based on mine. Minor 7b5 to Dominant 7b9 August 2001 http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/Aug01.html 2 Bar II-V Phrases - via Entire Range of the Sax.http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/Sept01.html This is designed to assist you in using your saxophone fully! Full range! HAVE FUN.
This might help add some new ideas to your playing and keep your shed time fun. Enjoy~
On You Tube- There is so much great music out there. I recently heard Henry Grimes, Andrew Cyrille and Paul Dunmall taking it all the way out. Saxophonists NEED to listen to Paul Dunmall- he is fantastic and just a joy to hear.Wonderful!Till next week, Keep an open mind.
BE VIGILANT! Think about others more than yourself!
Enjoy- Tim Price
Hope it is filled with nice notes and some new musical activity. The winter in my area, has been beautiful this year. Also I've been checking out some red bananas,which are a variety of bananas with a reddish-purple skin. They are smaller and plumper than the traditional Cavendish banana! My favorite breakfast is granola with blueberrys, bananas , and milk.
I’ve been home writing and listening to music for some inspiration.Teaching a lot too, on Skype and in the studio.
Two musical works I have heard that are worth mentioning are the Chu Berry Mosaic box set.This is a comprehensive collection . It features 203 separate recordings on seven CDs . Every saxophonist must study his remarkable surefootedness as a soloist; Chu was in an era where evolution in the music was running rampant and Chu Berry's tenor saxophone was one of the things making it run.
Also a double DVD of Keith Jarrett playing live.Beautiful! Two different ends of the spectrum, but, never the less, both moving and creative. Really inspiring music!
For the shed; I have some very interesting concepts here, and things that are fun and provoke some fresh ideas on II-V. II-V-I Patterns: Starting on the Tonic of the II Minor 7 Chord.
This lesson in seven parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 , August 2002 This is a very clear and useful lesson using II-V. Lots to play/study. http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/II-V-I-Patterns1.html I've taken a basic study and then moved it through six steps. Then I included one of my own based on a variation of some of the first six. I think it's always good for all of us to go back to a basic pattern study to clear our ears and refresh our chops. Look at all six shapes. As you start to hear the line, go back and write something of your own based on mine. Minor 7b5 to Dominant 7b9 August 2001 http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/Aug01.html 2 Bar II-V Phrases - via Entire Range of the Sax.http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/Sept01.html This is designed to assist you in using your saxophone fully! Full range! HAVE FUN.
This might help add some new ideas to your playing and keep your shed time fun. Enjoy~
On You Tube- There is so much great music out there. I recently heard Henry Grimes, Andrew Cyrille and Paul Dunmall taking it all the way out. Saxophonists NEED to listen to Paul Dunmall- he is fantastic and just a joy to hear.Wonderful!Till next week, Keep an open mind.
BE VIGILANT! Think about others more than yourself!
Enjoy- Tim Price
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tim Price Bloggin' For Rico Reeds-The supreme musical spectrum of Marty Krystall. One of the most creative musicians today!
~ Hey Rico Blog peeps, here tis' this weeks blog, a tad late, and chock full of Krystall visions. I currently live in Reading, Pa.< I travel a lot- so this is what I do. It's that easy. > I get up on Friday's and drive to the bus station, then take a bus to NYC to work. I take my horns with me, so I can go from teaching to the gig/rehearsals I'm doing while in town.This kind of schedule sometimes can leave me tired. Not always, but sometimes! Yesterday was one of those days.Hence the late blog here. I was more bleary eyed than usual having played a few road gigs the week before with guitarist Gary Rossington from Lynyrd Skynyrd. I was on the verge of falling asleep last week but went through the weekend kinda tired.Obviously not cool. There's times with all the stuff eg-instruments, music I'm usually cool. A state of mind? No a way of life! But here I am.
This weeks Rico Blog is about Los Angeles jazz player, studio woodwind legend Marty Krystall.
I've known Marty since 1980. I contacted him after hearing a record he did with the great Buell Neidlinger. I had actually heard Buell before he moved to Los Angeles with a Boston band he had called " Looney Tunes". But that is another story!
I am from the world of tone, I live in a world of sound. Marty got a sound , he's got depth and roots. After hearing him play on that recording I knew he was playing the impossible! What the Hell !! He was ALL over the horn, reaching above and below, playing the jazz language and reaching ,preaching and saying something deeply personal while doing it. I've known Marty for decades and feel that it's time someone said this about him. My blind love of music is behind it all.
Marty Krystall is one of the most important tenor saxophonists in today's world of jazz.
But he goes beyond that, he plays beautiful clarinet and bass clarinet. He knows the history of the music, and loves it. His music has a special quality, capturing something that is missing in much of today's musics. When he solos he tells a story, you hear a personal huge sound from the tenor saxophone and he is not a cliche player.
Some of my prized possessions are tapes he made me of his projects, or older records from "the day" when I first heard him. Incredible.
Just how and why does anybody dedicate their lives to to the music like this and not be a household name? His presence on other artists records is over the top from my perspective. Dig this- Krystall was involved with the Peter Ivers Band, Van Dyke Parks, Jaco Pastorius,Charlie Haden's Liberation Orchestra, as well as appearing on recordings of Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Leo Kottke, Keith Moon, Little Jimmy Scott and Terrence Blanchard. Marty has also performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and TASHI (led by pianist Peter Serkin). He has also been active in the LA studio scene as a clarinetist and doubler since 1972, and has been featured on the orchestral underscores of motion pictures on clarinet in "X-Men,""As Good As It Gets," "101 Dalmations," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Minority Report," "Multiplicity," "Hero," "Jack," "The Three Jakes,""Forrest Gump," "Soylent Green," "Bewitched," "Fantastic 4 II,"and on saxophone in "Flubber, "The Flintstones," "When Harry Met Sally," "Other Peoples Money," "The Kid" and"The Mummy Returns," among hundreds of others.
Taking a closer look at his recorded work I have realized that one of his gifts was to bring out the best in other musicians by truly understanding them. In each environment you get to hear just how his gifts manifested.
Check out all his CDs on his label - everyone is a masterpiece in it's own way. http://www.k2b2.com/martyfeatured.html
I can say this because I have listened to his music deeply. He wasn't somebody I can dream about knowing, he is a real person,and a treasured friend.
The recent CD he sent me has Steve Lacy on it as a guest on soprano saxophone."Buell Neidlinger Quartet Live at Ravenna Jazz '87 with Steve Lacy".This is amazing music! http://www.k2b2.com/ravenna.html
Also recently he gave me a DVD copy of Marty Krystall Quartet Plus One. The quartet plays the music of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols, and gives a one of a kind jazz interpretation of Georges Bizet's Prelude and Aragonaise from the Bizet opera, "Carmen."
http://www.amazon.com/Marty-Krystall-Quartet-Plus-One/dp/B000WGNLK8
Tenor playing on that DVD is of the highest order. But also let's get this clear,Krystall has one of the best sounds in tenor, a real bold full of life jazz tenor saxophone sound. Vivid! He is a great example of that your sound is one of the most powerful tools of expression that you have, and one of the first things that a listener will take away from your performance. Think of Ben Webster,Dexter, Bird or Trane; for masters like these sound was an integral part of their musical identity. Just hearing that sound was enough to get their message across to the audience. Marty's sound encompasses all the aspects of his musicianship, and is a direct result of what he is about. His has become ingrained into his personal concept, becoming an essential part of the overall message that he is communicating when he creates. That is why you need to hear him.
http://www.k2b2.com/martyfeatured.html
http://www.k2b2.com/martydiscos.html
One of my biggest memorys via Marty is from about eight years ago, I was in Los Angeles for some college workshops, concerts and gigs. I went to Martys home one afternoon to hang. We listened to music, tried some of Martys great clarinet barrels (which I have been playing on my Selmer Signature clarinet almost a decade by now! If you play clarinet- you need this. Buy it now, it's exceptional. http://convertabore.com/ ), smoked some great cigars outside while enjoying the Krystall gardens and met his fantastic son Ben, and had a great time. It was about the music- and an affirmation for myself that I've been blessed throughout my life to have a direct connection to the music/musicians/friends like this-this was one of those times. More recently we hooked up at the NAMM show 2011. Had a great sushi hang with Marty, and one of my greatest friends in this musical life Rob Polan from Rico Reeds. It was amazing energy and we had some great sushi. These kind of hangs are memories to, things that keep my fire going and are really something else.
One of my dreams is- that someday Marty Krystall will get to play the Village Vanguard in New York City. With a band of his. I'd love to watch peoples faces when they hear him play, solo and expand the music right in front of them. He's playing the REAL thing. NOW. That would be a groove to hear and watch in New York City! They would love him madly.
Find him at Amazon here;
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=marty+krystall&x=20&y=18
Dig him at his website here;
http://www.k2b2.com/krystall.html
Listen to him play here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L68nh7lrWw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz_77QfAlg4&feature=related
Then check this out ;
Marty Krystall - clarinet; arranged and conducted by John Neufeld. Capitol Records and Westlake Studios for the CD "Silver Screen in Blue (for Clarinet and Strings)". Available at http://www.k2b2.com/ and iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=320266147&s=143441 Also at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Screen-Blue-Clarinet-
LISTEN- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cacXPCytwKc&feature=channel_video_title
I hope this Rico Blog gets a wider audience for one of the most creative artists in our era-Marty Krystall. Check him out!
~ Till next week- Tim Price
This weeks Rico Blog is about Los Angeles jazz player, studio woodwind legend Marty Krystall.
I've known Marty since 1980. I contacted him after hearing a record he did with the great Buell Neidlinger. I had actually heard Buell before he moved to Los Angeles with a Boston band he had called " Looney Tunes". But that is another story!
I am from the world of tone, I live in a world of sound. Marty got a sound , he's got depth and roots. After hearing him play on that recording I knew he was playing the impossible! What the Hell !! He was ALL over the horn, reaching above and below, playing the jazz language and reaching ,preaching and saying something deeply personal while doing it. I've known Marty for decades and feel that it's time someone said this about him. My blind love of music is behind it all.
Marty Krystall is one of the most important tenor saxophonists in today's world of jazz.
But he goes beyond that, he plays beautiful clarinet and bass clarinet. He knows the history of the music, and loves it. His music has a special quality, capturing something that is missing in much of today's musics. When he solos he tells a story, you hear a personal huge sound from the tenor saxophone and he is not a cliche player.
Some of my prized possessions are tapes he made me of his projects, or older records from "the day" when I first heard him. Incredible.
Just how and why does anybody dedicate their lives to to the music like this and not be a household name? His presence on other artists records is over the top from my perspective. Dig this- Krystall was involved with the Peter Ivers Band, Van Dyke Parks, Jaco Pastorius,Charlie Haden's Liberation Orchestra, as well as appearing on recordings of Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Leo Kottke, Keith Moon, Little Jimmy Scott and Terrence Blanchard. Marty has also performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and TASHI (led by pianist Peter Serkin). He has also been active in the LA studio scene as a clarinetist and doubler since 1972, and has been featured on the orchestral underscores of motion pictures on clarinet in "X-Men,""As Good As It Gets," "101 Dalmations," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Minority Report," "Multiplicity," "Hero," "Jack," "The Three Jakes,""Forrest Gump," "Soylent Green," "Bewitched," "Fantastic 4 II,"and on saxophone in "Flubber, "The Flintstones," "When Harry Met Sally," "Other Peoples Money," "The Kid" and"The Mummy Returns," among hundreds of others.
Taking a closer look at his recorded work I have realized that one of his gifts was to bring out the best in other musicians by truly understanding them. In each environment you get to hear just how his gifts manifested.
Check out all his CDs on his label - everyone is a masterpiece in it's own way. http://www.k2b2.com/martyfeatured.html
I can say this because I have listened to his music deeply. He wasn't somebody I can dream about knowing, he is a real person,and a treasured friend.
The recent CD he sent me has Steve Lacy on it as a guest on soprano saxophone."Buell Neidlinger Quartet Live at Ravenna Jazz '87 with Steve Lacy".This is amazing music! http://www.k2b2.com/ravenna.html
Also recently he gave me a DVD copy of Marty Krystall Quartet Plus One. The quartet plays the music of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols, and gives a one of a kind jazz interpretation of Georges Bizet's Prelude and Aragonaise from the Bizet opera, "Carmen."
http://www.amazon.com/Marty-Krystall-Quartet-Plus-One/dp/B000WGNLK8
Tenor playing on that DVD is of the highest order. But also let's get this clear,Krystall has one of the best sounds in tenor, a real bold full of life jazz tenor saxophone sound. Vivid! He is a great example of that your sound is one of the most powerful tools of expression that you have, and one of the first things that a listener will take away from your performance. Think of Ben Webster,Dexter, Bird or Trane; for masters like these sound was an integral part of their musical identity. Just hearing that sound was enough to get their message across to the audience. Marty's sound encompasses all the aspects of his musicianship, and is a direct result of what he is about. His has become ingrained into his personal concept, becoming an essential part of the overall message that he is communicating when he creates. That is why you need to hear him.
http://www.k2b2.com/martyfeatured.html
http://www.k2b2.com/martydiscos.html
One of my biggest memorys via Marty is from about eight years ago, I was in Los Angeles for some college workshops, concerts and gigs. I went to Martys home one afternoon to hang. We listened to music, tried some of Martys great clarinet barrels (which I have been playing on my Selmer Signature clarinet almost a decade by now! If you play clarinet- you need this. Buy it now, it's exceptional. http://convertabore.com/ ), smoked some great cigars outside while enjoying the Krystall gardens and met his fantastic son Ben, and had a great time. It was about the music- and an affirmation for myself that I've been blessed throughout my life to have a direct connection to the music/musicians/friends like this-this was one of those times. More recently we hooked up at the NAMM show 2011. Had a great sushi hang with Marty, and one of my greatest friends in this musical life Rob Polan from Rico Reeds. It was amazing energy and we had some great sushi. These kind of hangs are memories to, things that keep my fire going and are really something else.
One of my dreams is- that someday Marty Krystall will get to play the Village Vanguard in New York City. With a band of his. I'd love to watch peoples faces when they hear him play, solo and expand the music right in front of them. He's playing the REAL thing. NOW. That would be a groove to hear and watch in New York City! They would love him madly.
Find him at Amazon here;
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=marty+krystall&x=20&y=18
Dig him at his website here;
http://www.k2b2.com/krystall.html
Listen to him play here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L68nh7lrWw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz_77QfAlg4&feature=related
Then check this out ;
Marty Krystall - clarinet; arranged and conducted by John Neufeld. Capitol Records and Westlake Studios for the CD "Silver Screen in Blue (for Clarinet and Strings)". Available at http://www.k2b2.com/ and iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=320266147&s=143441 Also at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Screen-Blue-Clarinet-
LISTEN- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cacXPCytwKc&feature=channel_video_title
I hope this Rico Blog gets a wider audience for one of the most creative artists in our era-Marty Krystall. Check him out!
~ Till next week- Tim Price
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