RIP Frank Foster

Frank Foster died this week, there is a lot being written about him and his fantastic playing and writing with Count Basie and his own groups. I always loved his tune Simone and enjoyed a few records he did with Frank Wess (try two for the blues) I hope you enjoy this clip.

More on Hank!

Hank Mobley is so heavy I thought I'd post another great clip-this time its from the fantastic album Soul Station ~ enjoy

The Thirty day challenge

I have been reading an interesting blog called good disruptive change (Click here) and it has definitely started the thought process rolling. The idea is that you do something for thirty days that is a challenge for you. On the website it breaks activities down into two types of challenges: the thinking challenge and the creative challenge. I am starting to put together a list of ideas for a thirty day challenge, I am going to focus on music...any ideas??

Funk in deep Freeze

I had the good fortune of going for lunch with Bob Mintzer a few years back and took the time to ask him a lot of questions about his main influences and how he became such a fantastic musician. A lot of fantastic stories were told (and a lot of sushi was devoured) One thing that stuck with me was his immense love of Hank Mobley. I was first exposed to Hank through the tune "funk in deep freeze" (or maybe "this I dig of you") my good friend Earl MacDonald really loved that tune and we played it a lot one year. Inspired by Bob I really got into Hank, and can now be counted as one of his fans! I hope you enjoy this track

Frankly Speaking!

The other day I was hanging with my brother listening to some of his music. (of course we had to listen to a lot of trombone!!) At any rate this great track came on and I was completely stumped as to who the alto player was. A little digging around and we discovered it was Charlie Mariano-Man, have I been missing out, what a great sound! It reminds me a bit of great Canadian saxophonist P.J. Perry

Down Beat Critics Poll

My good friend Earl MacDonald asked to hear my opinions about the Down Beat critics poll. I started going through the artists and cross referencing their most recent projects and listening to as much music as I could through websites and video, I decided to write a capsule review of the Jazz Album Of The Year: Jason Moran, 10 (Blue Note). After listening to the whole record I can definitely say I enjoyed parts of it. The gospel tinged groove writing, the Monk flavoured playing and ensemble interaction are all exceptional. If you like a little bit of free jazz mixed in with some nice writing, and an exceptional drummer/bass combination you will really enjoy this record

Michael Brecker: OLEO

Oleo. The first tune I really learned in twelve keys, and a true Jazz staple. Its a simple tune, and if the story is true that Sonny Rollins wrote this in the studio at the session, then it is also a testament to his (Sonny's) creative genius.  In keeping with my theme of favourite saxophone players I thought it might be nice to share this video of Michael Brecker in 1983. This solo also happens to be transcribed online at Michaelbreckerliverecordings.com (Click here) it ends a bit abruptly during the bass solo but it is still a thrill to hear Brecker light it up!