Bromberg part 2

You may remember me mentioning before about the acoustic bassist Brian Bromberg; now, I thought he was a genius before, but I may have found an album by him that tops Downright Upright. I was looking through some articles and web sites and I found an album called 'Jaco', which had a front cover with Bromberg's face in the style of Jaco's self-titled album. Bromberg said himself on his website, "I wanted to have a CD cover that from the first time you saw it you instantly knew what this recording was about ... If you remember Jaco's first solo record cover, you would know just by looking at my CD cover that this project is all about Jaco and his music. I knew that most musicians and bass players throughout the world would instantly recognize what I feel is one of the most visual and identifiable record cover's of all time. I wanted the CD cover to take you back to that time in your life when you heard Jaco's record for the first time -- what that meant to you -- what that meant to all of us!", and this is exactly what I've felt after listening to this album.

I've been able to get a hold of this album, and I'm blown away. I've listened to a lot of Jaco tributes, and they've all been pretty awesome, but this is something else. Bromberg's mix of electric and acoustic bass, fused with fresh arrangements of the Jaco classics, makes this album is just something else. Whether the track is in the similar vein to the original, like "Continuum" or "The Chicken", or whether it's a totally differ ant animal altogether, like the fusion-orientated "Three Views of a Secret" or the orchestrated "Portrait of Tracy", all of the music on this album is just breath-taking. And it's because of Jaco. Brian has done a phenomenal job of taking the Pastorius' masterpieces and giving them a lick of paint and giving a fresh approach. You'll hear some really interesting arrangements, all of them original in their own way. One of my favourite tracks, surprisingly, is what I believe is a Bromberg original in the style of Jaco, with some beautiful moments featuring the acoustic guitar and electric bass intertwining some beautiful melodic passages.

All in all, the album is glorious. The luscious accompaniments to the tracks, despite some being synthesized, are fitting and creative. I would definitely recommend sourcing out this album. Unfortunately, it's not on Spotify, or else I would screaming about it at the top of my voice on Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else I could!

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

In this crazy time of Christmas number 1s...

I found a fantastic album tonight, and it's a good 'un. It's by Massimo Faraó, and it's a great collection of cartoon tunes played in the jazz idiom; "Cartoons In Jazz". I really love the Batman Theme, but the whole album is very funky. Also check out "Someday My Prince Will Come", one of my favourite standards.

Just one track to check out here; "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" by U2. I just love this tune so much! I only found out what this song was tonight, I've spent years with this song stuck in my head! And yes, I do realise the Batman theme popping up here...

If you want another amazing Batman song... "Kiss From A Rose". Listened to this tonight after watching this amazing video of Jack Black -> YouTube.

My next choice for tonight's blog was brought about watching one of my favourite videos on YouTube -> Phil Driscoll's God Rest Ye. If you've never heard of this guy, he's an American preacher/singer/trumpet player. In my opinion, he's up there in the jazz trumpet greats. I will admit though, he has got some dodgy videos on YouTube, but yet again, everyone does. I find it so hard to believe that it's a Christian band turning this stuff out, considering the amount of bias out there that Christian musicians aren't as good. Just check it out. Then listen to just how freakin tight this guy is on this track -> Capital J.

That should keep you occupied for the next few minutes anyway :p

But ladies and gents,

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Corea, Mackrosoft and some others

I've become a big fan of Chick Corea of the past few months even though I've known about him for years. I discovered him at a gig I was playing in a few years ago with the UYJO. It was a special year for the UYJO, an anniversary I think. There was a band put together of all the former members of the band to make a scratch super band, and I must say, it was amazing. The drum teacher from my old school, Pete Comfort, was on kit, and he was just savage! They played a tune called Spain, and I loved it from start to finish. Just really tight tutti stuff, with awesome solos and just really funky and rhythmical. I went home and immediately typed this into Youtube, and found hundreds of versions of the song.

The thing I love about jazz is with guys like Corea, Hancock, Pastorius, whoever, they've played with anyone and everyone worth knowing. Hancock has, and still is, playing with the remaining legends of jazz. Chick Corea has performed Spain countless times, and every single performance is like gold dust! Acoustic, electric, it all just really grooves! I would regularly listen to Corea on Spotify, and I came across a fantastic album by the group he led 'Return to Forever'. The album in question in their anthology, and I love anthologies. And Best-of discs. Here it is -> Return To Forever – Hymn Of The 7th Galaxy - Remixed/Remastered.

Corea has led some of the tightest bands and ensembles out there, especially his trios, like this album -> Chick Corea – On Green Dolphin Street - Live. If you've ever seen this set-up on youtube, you'll know what I'm talking about! Vinnie Colaiuta on kit and John Pattitucci on bass just rip up for 15-20 minute just on the one track, it's unreal!

Chick has always just been a pure improviser. I remember listening to Radio 3 and hearing an interview with him where he said about a group he played with, a trio I think, where nothing was prepared, they just went on stage and played something, and they all communicated and were able to make something of it. I'm hoping while here in Manchester I'll get to hear him at some point.

Whilst trying to find more versions of Three Views of a Secret, I came across just a funky artist with no relevance to the Pastorius classic whatsoever; The Mackrosoft have some really groovy tracks out. I started at the top of their Spotify list, and went all the way through, just having it as background music! It's described as some sort of fusion between funk, soul, disco, jazz, everything, and it really works. I would check it out, if you just wanna chill out -> The Mackrosoft – April Showers.

Another gem I found a few months back was an album I stumbled across when trying to find a definitive version of Someday My Prince Will Come; I found an absolute gold mine album by Oscar Peterson, the legendary jazz pianist who needs no introduction, and Nelson Riddle, the extremely accomplished arranger and band leader. They collaborate on this album to take some slightly less known standards, and really making something of them. The album is here -> Oscar Peterson – My Foolish Heart. It's a good old-fashioned feel-good jazz album.

Lastly, I thought I'd share one of my favourite tracks of all time; Chuck Mangione – Feels So Good. My brother showed me this track about a year ago, and it still brings a tear to my eye! It's also what's started my obsession with flugelhorns as well... but I'll not go into that.

So, there's a good few things for you to enjoy, keep you occupied over Christmas, as well as A Jazzbone Christmas!

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Spotify Christmas Playlist

I've created a Spotify playlist for the festive season, aptly named, "A Jazzbone Christmas". You can find it here -> A Jazzbone Christmas . I will be updating it quite regularly as I find some more funky Christmas tunes! They won't all be jazz, I might have some King Singers and some other more serious things in there!

I may not write another entry until after Christmas, as the season is quite busy for me, with Salvation Army work and other personal and family events, but I do have some reviews planned, as well as some nice announcements for after the New Year

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Some interesting albums... and some philosophy... and a Christmas treat.

Came across a great gem in Spotify today! I was talking to someone on MSN and wanted to let them hear Roy Hargrove – Strasbourg / St. Denis, my favourite album of 2009 by the way, and I came across this: Roy Hargrove – The Sorcerer - Live At Massey Hall. It’s a fantastic album, with a great line-up. Roy Hargrove never ceases to raise the hairs on my neck. The album was made to celebrate the joined 75th birthdays of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and to enjoy both of the master’s work. Hancock was asked in an interview “Can you go home yet again?” and Hancock replied that they weren’t creating nostalgia by revisiting old standards that Hancock played with Miles way back when, but they were taking the standards and putting them into the 21st century context, and seeing what they could do with them.

The first album I made reference to was Roy Hargrove’s Earfood, which was a phenomenal find for me. I came across Hargrove when I was on Youtube looking for versions of “I Remember Clifford”, which I was playing in a big-band earlier in the year. Hargrove's version on flugel blew me away, and to this day it almost brings me to tears whenever I hear it. Roy has a real passion for jazz music, and you’ll know exactly what I mean when you watch it. So I typed the name into Spotify and came across this album, and ever since I’ve not heard anything like it. It’s a fairly straightforward album, just a collection of original standards in the regular format. But this is what amazes me the most; it’s hard to find this anymore. Most new jazz albums released now, and most jazz artists are playing a form of jazz I just don’t want to listen to, and that I just don’t understand. This album is straight back to basics, and it incorporates what makes jazz so powerful; simple melodies, fantastic improvisation, and originality.


Which brings me back to why I made this blog; I want to bring back tonal jazz. I think jazz has become a totally different animal than it was 20, 30, or 50 years ago. Yes, I'm all for progression and progressive jazz, but has it progressed in the right direction? I'm not so sure. I do love Jaco, and he was one of the most progressive dudes out there. Herbie Hancock too. I would love to hear your thoughts!

And since it’s Christmas, here’s a treat! Jens Lindemann – Good King Wenceslas This is quite possibly the best Christmas album ever made! I’m not going to say anything about it, just listen to it, and if you love big bands, you’re gonna be all over this bad boy!

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Quickie...

Just a quick one today...

I was in a masterclass with Hakan Hardenberger, famous trumpet player (supposedly the greatest trumpet player on the planet), and he brought up a VERY interesting point; he said that we should all have our heroes on our own instrument, e.g. mine would be Urbie Green, but we mustn't just narrow it down, we should have a broad repertoire for listening, e.g. for me it would be Bill Watrous, Wycliffe Gordon, Joe Alessi, Brett Baker etc. I'd like to think most musicians do this already, except for 14 year old trumpet players who only listen to Maynard and turn out to be the most annoying trumpet players on the planet... but that's beside the point. The really interesting point he made was this; don't narrow down your listening to just your own instrument. Have your trombone heroes, your sax heroes, whatever your principal study is, BUT listen to other instruments, and have heroes in them. For me, this would definitely be Jaco Pastorius, but it could be anyone, Natalie Klein, Yo-Yo Ma, you name them.

So, in the spirit of diversity, I decided to listen to some Jaco :)

...

and some more Jaco (but this time a differant track :) )

I'm hoping to post up a review of an album or 2 quite soon, an album which might have meant a lot to me or something along those lines! It won't be Jaco though, I won't just go mad on you... hopefully I'll talk about trombones at some point!

But alas, I ramble.

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Abstract Truth, and Colligan

Just 2 albums for you guys to check out:

First is - Bill Stewart – Sophisticated Lady ; I found this album just by doing a search for Three Views of a Secret, undoubtedly my favourite jazz tune of all time. I've never heard of any of the guys on this album, but it's a tight album. If you're into your more contemporary takes on classics, definitely check it out! The drummer is jam hot, especially on 'This Nearly Was Mine', nothing too fancy, but it's just soo neat and tight, I LOVE IT!

Secondly, a classic for me - Oliver Nelson – Stolen Moments ; the opening track is probably my second favourite jazz tune of all time. I performed it with a big band last year, and it never fails to raise the hairs on my neck! This is a bit more experimental, but come on, it's Freddie Hubbard on the 'pet, gotta love this!

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Jiggs, Bromberg and Smokey Fingers

I was fortunate enough this week to get a lesson from jazz trombone legend Jiggs Whigham. For those who don't know who it is, this guy is the daddy -> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiggs_Whigham). He's played with the Count, Kenton, Miller, you name them he's played with them. Now, I'm a huge jazz enthusiast, and I've done a lot of big-band playing, but as far as my improvising goes, I'm not really that great... if I'm honest. Which is a shame, considering how much of a dream it is for me!

My attitude was always that you had to be born with it. Take Miles Davis for example, I'm not entirely sure that he had to work hard at his scales and changes. But, after discussing at length with Jiggs, very few are born with the natural improvising ability. The rest of us mere mortals have to work at it, and develop the skills ourselves in the practise room. I've ordered a book or 2, including Jiggs' own book and a Jamey Aebersold book! I'll keep you posted on how I'm getting on, but at the minute I'm snailing it along with my ii-V-Is and my Dorian scales...

Discovered 2 phenomenal albums the past few days, check them out:

Firstly, here is Brian Bromberg with "Downright Upright" -> Brian Bromberg – Cantaloupe Island. This is an amazing album, just kickass standards with some jean-melting solos. Bromberg is on fire in his solos, check out the first track! Like I might have said before, I don't get 'contemporary' jazz, with crazy keys and changes and time signatures. Most of all I hate the lack of structure. Okay, yes, you can say, "But DUUUDE, without keys and structure, you can TRULY improvise WHATEVER YOU WANT!" Yeah, but is it nice to listen to? Does it make you tap your toe? Narp, it's guff. Nothing wrong with structure, keys or melody. This album is classic improv jazz, the best kind in my opinion.

The second is Jiggs Whigham with the Herbolzheimer Orchestra, which I assume is German, in "Toots Suite" -> (Bart van Lier – After You've Gone). This is a kickass album, I'm not gonna say anything about it, just listen!

Lastly, I just wanna give a shout-out to my brother Matt Houston, aka Smokey Fingers! He's sent me 2 of his tracks he's been doing in college on his music course, ripping it up on baritone sax to bass guitar and everything in between. I was really moved today when he sent me a track of his solo piano work, purely improvised from a bunch of chords. We were 2 of the only jazz enthusiasts in school, listening to Jaco, Buddy Rich, whatever, just to get our fix of jazz! He's gonna be a kickass musician soon, and I wish him all the best :)

'til next time...

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Update

For those of you who read my last entry, I do apologise for the long gap between my first post and this post. I started music college, and it has been rather eventful, to say the least. I just have a few updates to let you all know about.

I may slightly change the format of the blog to something along the lines of a general musical blog, but based around what I'm doing at college and still thinking about the future of jazz.

Recently I have performed in and attended a variety of concerts, which is fairly normal at music college, but a few in particular have stood out; firstly, I performed with a jazz ensemble here in the Will Todd epic "Mass In Blue". For those who have never heard of the piece, it is a standard mass setting but accompanied by a jazz ensemble and with a jazz feel to it. Before playing it, I wasn't sure that it was going to be all that great, but I can safely say it's one of the most amazing pieces I ever heard, and even moreso that I've now performed it! You can find it on Spotify here: Will Todd, Vasari Singers – Mass In Blue (Jazz Mass) Op. 28: Kyrie (Todd).

I attended a very special concert here at the RNCM; nothing really out of the ordinary or far out, but something quite close to my heart. It was a special celebration of Miles Davis' classic album "Birth Of The Cool", performed by musicians in college. It was a Miles album that I had overlooked somewhat in my jazz journey, but an album that now means a hell of a lot to me. It shows that regardless of advanced music becomes, tonality, structure, melody, and a damn good musician can make all the difference.

I've started some compositions as well, for my own personal collection. I've never done much composing before, and I suppose this is the best time to learn! Nothing really radical, just a few slow melodies and arrangements.

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone

Introduction

My name is Nathan Moore, and I'm a keen jazz enthusiast. I am 19 years old, and I've just finished school to move on to the Royal Northern College of Music in September to study tenor trombone performance. My music influences and interests are deeply rooted in the purity of music, music made for enjoyment and love of music, for the advancement of musical ideas, not for financial gain.

I wanted to create this blog as a place where I can share my views and opinions on the topic of jazz music. I don't have many friends that appreciate jazz music, and I know that there are people with the same views as myself, I would be glad of feedback, anonymously or not.

I was inspired to write this after listening to just one track on Mysterious Voyages: A Tribute to Weather Report (http://open.spotify.com/album/1JG4UtwPgK1bni2ztoe1gh). You will quickly realise that Jaco Pastorius is my main influence from jazz music, and he has given me an even greater love for music.

I would regularly listen to music whilst I'm doing something else, like talking on MSN to someone, or doing schoolwork, and the first time I listened to Jaco Pastorius properly was one of those times. It was his self titled album, which I had asked to borrow from a friend. Our school big-band was performing Pee Wee Ellis' The Chicken, and I wanted to hear an original recording. So I typed The Chicken into Limewire, and found Jaco Pastorius as one of the top artists. I had never heard of him before, and I really enjoyed listening to the track (http://open.spotify.com/track/5mUwcFTA1LNLn39b8noWJv). I didn't think any more of it until I mentioned it to my friend and he said about having an album. So I got home, put the CD on, and started on some work. From the first second of the first track, I stopped what I was doing and just listened. For 55.3 minutes, I just sat in my room and listened to this amazing music. Every track was something new and mind-blowing, and my idea of music changed from that day.

There was 1 track in particular that took my breath away, and that was track 5; Portrait of Tracy (http://open.spotify.com/track/3BmlWjFycxYSDCUnjdxe8B). For any of you who have heard this, you know what I'm talking about. I listened to that one track on repeat for days, and it by far stands out as the most amazing piece of music I've ever heard.

From there my jazz interest grew and grew, stemming from Jaco, leading me to Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Roy Hargrove etc etc.

I intend to talk about albums I've listened to and comment on them, to talk about artists and their contributions to jazz, to talk about where jazz is going, and what I intend to do about it. Even if no-one reads this, I want this to be a standing testament to a new generation of jazz enthusiasts who still know what jazz is all about.

Thanks ~ The Jazzbone