Lemme 'Splain Somethin' to Ya

Bernard Purdie is the coolest. And he'll teach you how to shuffle real "purdie like." He just might have the greatest personality of any drummer ever. I love this guy.

Ahora Si!

Just got back from Nicaragua... very tired... miss it already...





Ometepe.

Brain Food

Jump over to Casa Valdez to read an enlightening article on how a jazz musician's brain works while improvising. This is scholarly stuff - straight from halls of Johns Hopkins University - so be prepared...

In other news...

Nothing makes me feel both smarter and dumb(er) -simultainiously- then a good helping of Tim DuRoche. Recently, in the wake of this year's Cecil Taylor performance at the Portland Jazz Festival, Tim posted this gem.

"If you stopped and measured the 20th century’s considerable residue, the left-over facts and froth of modernity, the loam of cultural revolution and the flicker of the avant-garde’s ember (to wring the life out of simile and metaphor), you’d probably find that Cecil Taylor is an inevitability. "

Read the whole thing. Then go listen to Cecil Taylor. Then read it again. Repeat... I found the Winston Churchill quote at the end surprising. Never knew the old boy was that hip.

And finally...

A big thank you to Mr. Durkin for turning me on to Andrew Drubber and NewMusicStrategies.
I started reading his free book and I now feel like I am truly a part of the 21st century. A must read for any musician trying connect with the world.

Breaking News!!!! Mike Watt Dissed By Madonna!!!

From MTV (Yes, really. Does it surprise you?)

"...Anyway, backstage, when Iggy & “The Stooges” made their way to say hey to Madonna in person, Iggy introduced her to his band. He saved his best-for-last intro for his bassist, Mike Watt (ex-Minutemen, fIREHOSE), who is a complete Madonna obsessive. And she totally blew him off like he was just some random session musician dude!"

WTF!!! If you can stomach any more, MTV News is there for you.

Filling the Seats

One thing that concerns me, and apparently many others, is the growing disparity between artist and audience. I’m talking pure numbers here. Ever been to a show with less people in the audience then on stage? Shouldn’t there be more performers than viewers? And no, family members, significant others, venue employees and opening acts to not count. If no one is around to appreciate how talented and creative you are, what’s the point? Our ego’s are fragile enough as it is...

Maybe it’s because my town (Portland, OR) just happens to be inundated with artistes, talented or not, and there are only so many patrons who are willing to experience culture in person. Movies are as popular as ever. Dance clubs still have long lines every weekend. But more and more, the live arts – music, theatre, dance… the bastions of civilized (yuck, I hate that word) culture seemingly need grants and endowments to stay afloat.

With most music, I don’t believe we are quite in that crisis mode, but that really depends on what you happen to be performing. Everybody loves music, right? It’s everywhere – recorded music anyway… But like movies, recorded music is the safe, dependable choice. It’s probably why DJs get paid more than musicians these days - you know what you’re getting. There is no element of chance, or if there is, it’s minimal.

But that’s what makes live music so great, right?

Hell yes, I say – but I may be in the minority. And I’m a musician, so I’m biased. What about the music lover (listener) who just spent all week busting their corporate tail and just wants to go out and have some fun - without having to think, or be challenged, or blow $ on a show with a bunch of bands he’s never heard of? It’s the plight of the innovator I guess… You may make heartfelt groundbreaking music, but that doesn’t mean that it will be appreciated, or pay your bills.

How does one gain an audience… from scratch? Having an incredibly large social network certainly helps. But if you are not virtuoso-tic-ly talented and actually have to hone your skills – something that really can’t be done while networking or partying – you may find that while you were holed up in the woodshed, your audience left to go see the new Adam Sandler movie or is busy gettin’ down at ‘80s night, or (!!!) KARAOKE.

Of course, I have no answers. But one thing that I have always held to be true is this simple statement: If you are good, they will come. By “good” I mean - talented, creative, passionate, interesting and engaging. By “they” I mean an audience. Of course, the specifics and particulars of the audience – i.e. how many, for how much ($), how often – will depend on many factors that I can’t begin to cover. But I truly believe, with hard work, a quality project that consistently delivers can be appreciated enough to give the creator enough sense of accomplishment to keep going.

At least I damn well hope so.

"The Best Music Video EVER "

This blog is turning into a bunch of video links, I know. But I don't care. The title says it all.



Thank you Casa Valdez.

You Tube Hero

I’m surprised that more people don’t know about Kevin Sawka, AKA KJ Sawka. He’s been a You Tube favorite for a long time now. Based out of Seattle, Kevin is a one man tidal wave of breakbeat/electronic awesome-ness. Drummer, programmer and producer, he does it all – at the same time.

Although a self described player of “jungle and drum ‘n bass” beats, I think his music covers a broader spectrum, not just the up-tempo stuff. I imagine that he is getting his due recognition in the electronica camp, but I’m sure his influence will be felt across a wider audience as more drummers hear the gospel - as played by KJ.