- Thanks to Joel Gray and everyone involved with the Jazzworks Jazz festival in Edmonton, Alberta last week. Saxophonist Jim Brenan and I spent three action-packed days adjudicating and working with a dozen high school big bands from across Western Canada. I also performed with the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra during the noon-hours and a good time was had by all.
Here's a few nice videos that have inspired and motivated me lately that come from a few friends and acquaintances of mine:
- Courtesy of my good friend Jerome Jennings, here is his recent and informative masterclass from Ohio State University:
As you can see, Jerome plays really great. I first met Jerome while he was passing through with Mark DeJong's "Outer Voices" Project and recently he's been playing with Sonny Rollins as well (!)
- Here's a nice clip of my good friend and Toronto percussionist Mark Duggan performing a solo vibraphone rendition of "On The Sunny Side of The Street":
- An inspiring lesson and reminder from my occasional teacher over the past three years, the great John Riley talks about "The Gift":
- What am I listening to these days?
Aretha Franklin - "Live at The Fillmore" w/Bernard Purdie - drums
James Brown - "Foundations of Funk - A Brand New Bag: 1964 - 1969" w/Clyde Stubblefield & James "Jabo" Starks - drums
Bob Brookmeyer & The New Art Orchestra - "Waltzing with Zoe" w/John Hollenbeck - drums
Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - "Basle, 1969" w/Mel Lewis - drums
Philly Joe Jones - "Showcase" w/Philly Joe Jones - drums
Bobby Hutcherson & McCoy Tyner - "Manhattan Moods" w/Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone
- And finally, don't forget to come on out to the inaugural concert of the Calgary Creative Arts Ensemble this coming Saturday evening. I'm very excited about this new big band project in town that I'm co-leading with saxophonist Mark DeJong and pianist/composer Michelle Gregoire. There is lots of great music to be made with this group so please come on out to support our new endeavor.
The Summit Jazz Series presents:
The Calgary Creative Arts Ensemble
Inaugural Concert
Featuring contemporary jazz orchestra works by Dean McNeill, Michelle Grégoire, Jon McCaslin and Bob Brookmeyer
Special guests include: Dean McNeill (trumpet), Craig Brenan (trombone)
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Cantos Music Foundation/
134 11th Ave SE
Calgary, AB
Tickets available at the door or by calling (403) 949-6414
Adults $20 (advance) $25 (door)
Students/Seniors $10 (advance) $15 (door)
