Tim Price Bloggin' For Rico- Phil Woods Live In NYC at Birdland ( My Man Phil )

~Friday night October 21 was time to catch my man Phil Woods in New York City at Birdland. He was making his New York gig with his world class famous quintet.This band is just the best in the business today, Brian Lynch- trumpet, Bill Goodwin- Drums, Bill Mays-piano- Steve Gilmore-bass. What a beautiful friendship this unit has become too, you can hear the empathy and commitment they play with from note one, on the bandstand.

From the first tune of the first set to the last tune of the second set, I had the overwhelming impression of a lasting rare beauty they made on me. That beauty has not diminished with time either! I've been a fan of this band from day one, with Phil's sidemen like Mike Melillo and Harry Leahey back in the day, and every one of Phil's bands has the Woods thumbprint. The music is bright, fresh, melodic, soul cleansing, soothing, brialliant, beautiful and swinging hard.The jazz I heard Friday in New York City is some of the best jazz of all time. To me, Phil Wood's has it all. The sound, and the technique, true jazz roots, and style behind it, never falters. That style is what it's all about. he's got the moan in the tone, beauty and grace, but it's the style that sais Phil Woods. That's a lesson there, dear Rico Blog readers! His tone is huge and his melodic phrasing is an inspiration but also he can take you to the moon to once you get inside his solos, this guy travels the outer limits. There's times Friday where I just shook my head, because he knows how to start a phrase so damn well, and if you listen to his story well, and take the trip with him, you'll find out what I mean. Phil is one bad hombre', and modern cat, but he always was! Why would he ever change! I love hearing him play the Benny Carter tune, "Souvenir"...Every time he plays it, I hear something new. That's a tune, every serious jazz saxophonist should be playing as well.

Phil's band , always intelligent and inventive, driven by plenty of emotion and sensitivity. They are the greatest instrumentalists, on the scene today.The coherence achieved was extraordinary - never surpassed, and rarely if ever equalled. Brian Lynch knocks me out! Without a doubt, he is one of the greatest trumpet players ever. Bill Goodwin, was born to play the drums. I always find Bill inventive and intense as well as wonderfully melodious and profound. Bill Mays is one of the most most fulfilling pianists in jazz. His comping fuels the band, I loved his voicings and the way he comped! Amazing! I'll be blunt- this is one of the greatest pianists playing today.Unhesitatingly recommended - only great respect and gratitude to Bill Mays. Steve Gilmore is a rock solid player I always enjoyed, his sound is right there decade after decade.Warm, vital and inspiring, uplifting contributions.

Everything this band has recorded I recommend, not just one CD. But everything. Why? Because it's totally distinctive: there is no replacement, and you will not regret owning and playing them frequently. It's history and a saxophone lesson as well, and for those of you, a jazz history lesson is you step far enough in.

SPECIAL NOTE; Frank Wess was in the house digging Phil Woods too! Phil announced his great respects to Frank and noted that when he grows up he wants to be just like Frank Wess. Don't we all Phil, don't we all ! Support from within' the ranks is inspiring, and what it's about. Take note!

What a great night Friday was, and a fantastic inspiration. A great joy to hear Phil, see some friends and get inspired.Mission accomplished.


This is, I feel confident, the kind of music people will still enjoy centuries hence among the best music of the twentieth century.Thank you Phil Woods!


Till next week, Keep listening, keep practicing, support live music always- Tim Price



Pictured below- Is Drummer Bill Goodwin; One of the greatest drummers in jazz and original member of Phil Woods quintet, and a beautiful human being to boot!



www.timpricejazz.com

Tim Price Bloggin' For Rico- " The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena "..

~ So many times people musically are concerned about harsh reviews that serve no purpose and just thrash the artist. The common sense of communication, respect and review are lost forever in this kind of situation.

The great teacher Charlie Banacos once shared the below quote with me of Theodore Roosevelt which sums it all up nicely.


“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

And...to take it a step even further...some words from Rico artist Jerry Bergonzi ;

"It's none of your business what other people think of your playing" - Jerry Bergonzi

Here's a helpful hint to gain new dimension ;

Replace the same old videos you watch on youtube with classic jazz recordings.Start listening more to masters and study the real history of what your playing! Youtube can be a great starting point- but keep on searching. Listen to more String Quartets, more Woodwind Quintets, read more about composers. Open a book, listen to Bill Evans, Bartok, read Boulez.Study scores, and get past the same stuff. The world is out there go find it.Live music needs your support! I continue to explore and learn all I can about all music in the quest to develop a voice.The more I know about what’s behind the music the more profound the effect is on my musical psyche. Being a complete musician goes well beyond the notes- much more than that. I’m grateful for the era that I came up in, and the teachers, musicians that made me aware of these values. Balance! I hope my words on this issue, in the process inspire people to do the right thing.Go hear some live music, support the people playing NOW, be part of it.

Till next week be in the moment and make every moment the best it can be.
~ Tim Price

PS- The cat is my Maine Coon Cat Milo..he's 12 weeks old. A beautiful Cameo color.
He's on the case already!

Musician + Entrepreneurship = Career You Want

Hi - I'm Rico Artist and saxophonist Connie Frigo, and I'm flattered to start contributing to Rico's blog page. D'Addario & Co. (parent company to Rico) and the Road of Creativity (my consulting business, ROC for short) are partnering to launch ROC's Inaugural Music Entrepreneurship Retreat from June 3-9, 2012, hosted by the University of South Carolina. If you are a young professional or college-aged musician who desires to gain essential career skills and attitudes for success in today's music world, you need this retreat.

Click here to go to my blog for a free download of my first published article on entrepreneurship for musicians. It first appeared in the Saxophone Journal magazine in early 2011. More to come!

Tim Price Bloggin' ForRico Reeds- Peer Or Clone

Tim Price Jazz Workshop- Peer or Clone?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG_J4_3m0O0




To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.
e. e. cummings

Tim Price Bloggin' For Rico Reeds- Happy Birthday Von Freeman- Saxophone Legend.

Happy Birthday Von Freeman!

Von Freeman is a saxophonist and Chicago jazz legend in a town that is known for producing a lot of both.Von Freeman is the namesake of a street Von Freeman Way and the recepient of an honorary doctorate from Northwestern University. That's very cool, and a bright moment in jazz.

Von Freeman is an iconoclastic jazzman, a tenor sax player and a life long fixture on the Chicago jazz Scene. Long regarded as among the top players in the world, he still gigs regularly in a weekly jam session he heads on the south side of town.

Von's style is all his own. Clearly having learned the lessons of Bebop, he chooses instead to play inside changes when he wishes with an outside tone, again when he wishes, playing lines with incredible speed and dexterity.I always loved his taste as to when to use this and when not to.So many other tenor players, play solos that have nothing to do with the song. Not Von, but this is an asset of a master, and he is also a great pianist too.

I consider Von Freeman possibly the most compelling instrumentalist I have experienced,I used to hear him live when I'd travel through Chicago. At a point, I got to talk to him and found him to be a very sweet and open guy. Really a walking history book and fun to talk with. I heard him at the Jazz Showcase on Rush St many times and also at the other spots around town.

That first record he did " Doin' it right now" I still listen to, when I got it, it messed me up because of his great sense of time and harmony. I couldn't stop listening to it! His playing was bold, visceral, and striking. Also one of the hippest versions of " Lost In A Fog" ever. Or let me say one of my favorites! The late John Stubblefield and I used to hang and try to cop Von's articulation, or try to. That Chicago time feel, and the driving attack. I just love it.

There's another Von record, that you got to check out- with our man Frank Catalino on it. It's called " You Talkin' To Me"...and it is amazing. It was the first time I heard Frank, and knew I would be a fan. One of the best records in the Delmark catalog, and damn Frank holds his own with Von. That is a great tenor record!

But- everything Von records you should hear! He's that guy! Check him out, you'll hear something new and fresh always. This man is one of the real ones.

But here's to Mr. Von Freenman on his birthday!
Born on this day in 1923 and one of the assets in jazz and saxophone!

Earle Lavon Freeman Sr. is 89. Happy Birthday Von!! Thank you for all of your inspiration. You've touched all of us deeply sir.


~ Tim Price

Tim Price Bloggin' For Rico Reeds- The Blues In Jazz, the connection and conviction.

My Blog this week is dedicated to John Coltrane. A positive force in this music, a person who never stopped learning,a player and a benchmark for all.Thank you sir for your life long inspiration and guidance.

Coltrane's playing had the blues in it- just listen to " COLTRANE PLAY'S THE BLUES"...On Atlantic records or "Blue Trane". If you play jazz, and your playing is void of the blues feel, and sound you are lacking in something very basic, and a vital element to this art form.From Louie Armstrong to Ornette, it's heard and felt.

This weeks Rico Blog is highlighting improvistaion using blues and pentatonic ;


In Pentatonic scale use you can use a C Pentatonic scale over these
chords;

C maj 7
C7
Dminor7
D7sus 4
Emi7b5
Fmaj7
G7sus4
Ami 7
B7b9sus4
Bbmaj7
F# dom7
F#mi7b5

A player like "Thin man Watts" is a very strong blues&pentatonic
player. He know's what he's doing.
To take it a step further....

On a D minor7th....chord you can use C pent. over it & its gonna be
funky. On a C maj 7....chord you can also use a D pent and is going to be
singing and funky.

This one by the way...is a fav of Pharoah Sanders on Maj 7th
chords...it sounds beautiful.

BUT. Also on a C dom 7th chord you can build a pent scale off the SHARP
4th..and it will be hip to. EG~ C7...use F # pent.

Check out this blues lesson I have on Sax On The Web about Thin man
Watts;
http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/Blues1.html#Watts
Its a lick from his CD-" Return Of The Thin man".

The tune- " SLOP BUCKET."
IT GOES THRU EVERY KEY OF THE BLUES...within Thin mans rhythmic bag.
You can't beat his-TIME-feel of' being funky.

Thin man played things that you could FEEL.
Thin man was a running buddy of the Adderly brothers...was in school
in Florida with them as a young dude.

More folks NEED to get hip to Noble Thin man Watts...as his playing
carried a message. He told a story!! That aspect today is becoming a
lost art.

NOT ONLY..could he funk the club down but he was a strong jazz player
as well. As a kid,, I heard a 60s organ band at this club in my home town.
The club was a semi-famous joint called the "Grand Hotel".
It was aside of a railroad station, and had organ groups on
weekends. I played Wednesday nights...and could slide in for free, and under
age on weekends to catch stuff. SO,,one weekend there's this wild band from
NYC there. The sax player was as skinny as a telephone poll !!!
Later I found out it was a guy named -NOBLE THINMAN WATTS.
As I got in the club and stood at the side door....near the band...I
Ya could hear him on 2 blocks down the street...PREACHING TENOR .
I NEVER FORGOT THIS GUYS PLAYING...it was like a tattoo on my soul.People for
months in that joint " the Grand Hotel" were still talkin' about the THIN MAN on sax
playing there.

Check out these Sax On The Web lessons of mine for ideas and phrases on the
blues. Each lesson is very different but still deals with some aspect of blues playing via jazz.

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/Blues2.html

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Price/RootlessMajorChord.html
Look further down in this one...I have a lick on Birds "Now's The Time" thru 12
keys.

ALSO CHECK OUT FOR YOUR EAR ;
http://www.geocities.com/saxontheweb/Price/Sept01.html

This lesson , also has some ear training
via a nice line to play thru the keys by ear.
Then, as usual, a line thru all keys thru some important progressions.
Also , for those interested , start to take
the past lessons and memorize them. Then take
the lines and re-write them for yourself.

Try to use some different intervalic connections
and even the use of rests and rhythm.

Keep in mind- I teach in NYC and Pa. and
do clinics.I'm interested in
ALL aspects of education.I teach all levels
also. Just ask me- I travel worldwide.


I hope this brings some light to your shed time and also let me add,
my feeling is that if you've absorbed a lot of the known vocabulary of the
greats , then you'll naturally gravitate to looking for other things ,
or even begin to hear things of a different nature, that the basis of this is an individual wanting to create something that is personal.Personal isn't always something new and different,but sometimes it is,it's personal.Coltrane ,when he was interviewed in Downbeat in 1961 said something to the effect of : " The artist tries to convey to the listener a sense of all of the things he knows of in the universe ... " Knowledge, there is the factor as far as I'm concerned, you know! Depth and conviction should be your motivation no matter what.Conviction ,,, there's the real prize .

HERE'S A LESSON ALSO- Replace the vapid youtube videos you watch on youtube with classic jazz recordings- why not check out some Coltrane records...such as ;Complete Savoy Sessions John Coltrane, Wilbur Harden. Check THAT out!

Till next week- enjoy the fall weather and see you next week.

~ Tim Price

Tim Price Bloggin For Rico- My man Andy McGhee

~ In this life..respect from a peer that is a friend and an influence and a teacher is worth it's weight. This is my story on Andy McGhee.

Today,I made a beet salad,for dinner and had gone to finish shedding some things I was working on....The phone rang, and my wife spotted caller ID which said- Andy McGhee.
'
She told Andy I was practicing. After a few laughs, a two hour conversation continued about everything from books of mine he used in his lessons with current students, which I am still totally humbled by, to just things about the life inthis world as a saxophone player.

Years ago in 1969, I had my first lesson with Andy at Berklee. It was a great day, I'll never forgot it! He set me straight. At age 17.I had yet to register for the draft and had no idea of the life long friendship that would develop, as it happened.Ditto Mariano and LaPorta and Viola. Every lesson Andy set the bar, and never let me coast.Andy never let a student become a lamb to a slaughter...he was street smart and educated. Everyone from Cecil Taylor to Percy Marion can attest to his dedication as an educator.

In ensembles, he'd school me and help me on the most hippest of things. He also taught me how NOT to be a player that gave it up. Someone who just played and never got paid. He made sure I knew not to be let any BS happen on any level. And he'd tell you. Andy mentioned me in a Boston Globe article back in 2/15/2002 by Bob Blumenthal, Globe Correspondent, as one of his students that I made all the lessons and he dug.To me that means more than anything.

As time went on...we became great friends. I never realized his birthday was November 3ed and mine was November 1st...When I told him that as we had Thai dinner with my wife years ago when I turned 50 ( It seemed like it was yesterday!!! ) He said to my wife ( who is NOT a musician ) that's because Tim is to busy trying to get to all my licks!! hahaha...Which has some truth!! LOL. Charlie Mariano was a Scorpio too, which all made sense if you know me. And Andy loved Charlie! Who don't ? Charlie is universal love!!

So today,it's just one of those things.He made my day! I used to dig the Woody Herman record with Andy and Sal and Joe Romano. Little did I ever think I'd know them, or play with them. Andy was also in the " hot seat" with Lionel Hampton. That was the hot seat of hot seats. Stand up and burn every night and not stop!! He had everyone's attention. But also he was smart.He raised a family, and had a life. Another lesson !!

The late Makanda Ken McIntryre told me that when Makanda studied with Andy....ANDY WAS THE CAT. Andy was _the guy_ at the after-hours gigs ALL the recording guys like Trane would come to sit in with Andy was- CUTTING EDGE. Plus- Makanda saw some of those sessions because he was from Boston etc...and told me that a young Andy was playing some stuff that made those guys stop and think. I have no trouble thinking twice about that...because Andy is as good as it gets. Think about it- He sat aside of Sal Nistico and Frank Foster in Woody's band.


I learned a LOT from Andy...in 1969 he got me studying Tranes solo on Oleo.
Andy defined " hip" also in a certain way,he has INNER SOUL...you can feel it.
I can't say enough about him...he is one of my favorite people and musicians.

Andy calls me,and has become a family member. He cares.Ya know I got MORE out of Berklee than my moneys worth due to guys like Andy and Joe Viola,John LaPorta and Charlie Mariano.

He talked today about my Cannonball book- and Lennie Johnson. That took ,e back to 1140 Boylston st. Lenny was the one that told me to transcribe Cannonball to chill out the tenor stuff < eg- get away from all the tenor cliche stuff > in my playing.I mention that in my book- and Nat Adderley knew who Lenny and Andy were in a NY minute.

Andy McGhee has some great books out himself thru Berklee press ; Improvisation for Saxophone and Flute: The Scale/Mode Approach and Modal Strategies for Saxophone.

Jazz...and jazz education is lucky to have someone as REAL as Andy in it's ranks ans also committed to the real thing.

A friend, teacher and world class tenor saxophonist.He's made a difference in my life. Andy McGhee, thank you for being not only real but being the essence of what this music is supposed to be!! I think a trip to Boston for some Thai with Andy is in order!

~ Tim Price