Last night I had the opportunity to fill the guitar chair in Ohio University’s Jazz Ensemble I and play behind saxophonist Jeff Coffin. Jeff is probably best known for his work with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. During the afternoon, we had a rhythm section sectional with Jeff and then a full dress rehearsal. Jeff quickly put everyone at ease with his relaxed, funny, and down-to-earth vibe and was particularly skillful at quickly and precisely communicating the details that he wanted to hear from the the group, often using some great analogies to illustrate his ideas. Do yourself a favor and check out Jeff’s latest release “Bloom” on iTunes, it’s fun and funky as hell.
The black and white photos from the gig were taken by photographer William McFadden.
In my Metronome Techniques series I discussed using the metronome for accenting beats 2 and 4. Recently I ran across the following two YouTube videos of Pat Metheny demonstrating the technique in a clinic and swinging like a fiend. The video quality isn’t great, but the sound is just fine. Enjoy!
Continue reading 'Clicking on 2 & 4'...
Since Pat Metheny’s new trio CD “Day Trip” was released last week, quite a few interviews and bonus materials have come to my attention. Here are the best of them:
Day Trip
Listen to samples, read reviews, look at Pats crazy hairdo, and buy the CD or MP3’s at Amazon.
“Whatnot”
For hardcore fans like me, an additional track is available on iTunes.
The Day Trip Commentary Podcast
Pat, Christian McBride, and Antionio Sanchez reflect on the making of Day Trip.
Pat on Bob Edwards Weekend
This interview may also be downloaded from iTunes for free.
Reflections From Metheny
Pat talks about everything from creativity to America’s cultural decline on Jambase.
The Guitar Skeptic
Pat talks about the limits of his instrument of choice in The Japan Times.
Pat on Kenny G
This is several years old now but in case you haven’t read it, here it is in it’s entirety.
Here’s a lick that works well over both the I VI ii V section of rhythm changes and the ii V leading to the IV chord in bars five and six of the progression. Theres are a lot of reasons why this works but it’s more fun to play it than it is to dissect and analyze it. I was kind of surprised to see the relationships between the two sections. I sure hadn’t thought about it before! Maybe this will open up some new approaches to playing over rhythm changes in the future. Enjoy and let me know if you have any thoughts about it.
The Jazztet performs at The Front Room on the second Tuesday of every month and welcomes special musical guests at each performance. Joining us on Tuesday February 12 will be bassist Doug Richeson and saxophonist Jay Miglia.
Bassist Doug Richeson has toured and performed with such well known artists as: Tony Bennett, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Phil Collins Big Band with Quincy Jones, Gene Bertoncini, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Jimmy Heath, Jack Jones, Sammy Nestico and many more. In addition, he has appeared on three GRAMMY- winning recordings by Tony Bennett, has recorded for movie and television soundtracks, and has performed several times at the White House for the President of the United States. Also a respected teacher, Richeson was the bass Instructor at Capital University Conservatory of Music from 1987 through 1993 and was a guest clinician at the American School of Double Bass in the Summers of 1999 and 2006. He is currently teaching string and electric bass at Denison University School of Music.
Saxophonist Jay Miglia has backed-up numerous jazz and popular music celebrities including the Four Tops, the Temptations, Mel Torme, Clark Terry, Henry Butler and Dianne Reeves, and continues to perform regularly around the Midwest in jazz settings from small groups to big bands. In addition to his performing schedule, Miglia has achieved success as a jazz composer and arranger. His works for big band have been requested, commissioned, and programmed by many colleges around the United States. As a teacher of music, he has held teaching positions in saxophone and jazz studies at the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, and the Toledo School for the Arts, and he is currently on the faculties of Ohio Northern University and Capital University.
