One of the things that music nerds like me like to do is to try and turn people onto music we love (that’s really what this blog is about). So over the years I have tried to get my friends,…
One of the things that music nerds like me like to do is to try and turn people onto music we love (that’s really what this blog is about). So over the years I have tried to get my friends,…
I think the title pretty much sums it up. Let’s first go with something classy, Duke Ellington. who in 1960 recorded a jazz interpretation of “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky. The video below is of the Overture, opening with a descending…
Something Different For The Holidays This Year Music Is A Gift The New Jazz Spasms – Tradition (Fiddler On The Roof)
As I’m doing my own deep dive into jazz bass playing, I’ve been working on my bass soloing. As the material has a much faster harmonic rhythm than the rock/blues/funk tunes that I usually play, I’ve noticed that many of…
I have written about my returning to playing bass after a prolonged period of playing the Chapman Stick Guitar. One of my immediate challenges in actually find people to play with. I hate going to jam sessions. You wait for…
This is my tune, Bodega Cats, played on the Chapman Stick Guitar (SG12). I’m using the double guitar tuning so it’s like two standard guitar necks joined together. This was the first tune I wrote on the Chapman Stick guitar.…
I’m continuing my series of Chapman Stick Guitar videos with my cover of the classic Beatles tune Norwegian Wood. Their is a long history of jazz versions of Beatles songs. That’s the subject for a future post. I’m just adding…
When you ask someone to imagine a jazz tune in their head, I bet that the imaginary tune has a walking bass line. It’s that steady, pulse keeping, melodic thump that will make you tap your feet, nod your head…
I am pleased to announce the release of the New York Movie, the fourth album from my virtual band, The New Jazz Spasms on SoundCloud. The album continues the explore the nexus of where The Allman Brothers meets Grant Green…
Something to listen to besides the usual Christmas Crap Stevie Wonder – What Christmas Means To Me (Tamla Records 1967) Electric Jungle – Funky Funky Christmas Albert King – Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin Clarence Carter – Back Door Santa…