Tag: jazz

Hitting The Shed (Studying Jazz, Studying Life)

When you’re learning to play jazz, you take a recording and break down everything - especially the improvisations, note for note. It takes patience and focus. There’s a reason jazz musicians call working this stuff out “woodshedding” (or “shedding,” or “hitting the shed,” etc.). It’s all about whittling the block down into tiny parts.  After … Continue reading Hitting The Shed (Studying Jazz, Studying Life) →

I Sing The Body Electric Relaxation

Walt Whitman first published Leaves of Grass in 1855 with 12 poems in it. He wrote, rewrote, and expanded it. Edition by edition. In the 1892 “deathbed” version, there are 400 entries.  Four. Hundred. Entries.  And Whitman evolved alongside his work, as evidenced by the updates. Each new edition came with new perspectives and reflections. … Continue reading I Sing The Body Electric Relaxation →

Sunday Music: Oscar Peterson’s Night Train

Sometimes you’re just in that mood. Oscar Peterson was practically the King Kazu of jazz for a few decades there. Never really retiring, evolving with the times and styles of play just enough to always be respected and relevant.  One of my favorite albums to cook to, Night Train by The Oscar Peterson Trio. Here’s … Continue reading Sunday Music: Oscar Peterson’s Night Train →

Sunday Music: This Is Rap, This Is Gospel (Revisiting Killer Mike’s “Rap Music”)

Killer Mike’s latest solo album (MICHAEL) is out, and it’s good. But I’m looking back this week at 2012’s R.A.P. Music.  I hear the chorus from the album's closing title cut in my head all of the time.  He’s explaining the ingredients that went into making him. The genres, and artists, and flavors.  But he’s … Continue reading Sunday Music: This Is Rap, This Is Gospel (Revisiting Killer Mike’s “Rap Music”) →

Sunday Music: “Over My Shoulder” By Charlie Hunter

I was talking to a guitar teacher of mine about Charlie Hunter when I was in college. I was gushing about the technique to play his 7 and 8-string bass/guitar monstrosities and my teacher looked at me quizzically.  “Hmm. I guess that explains it. I thought he was just a really sloppy player and couldn’t … Continue reading Sunday Music: “Over My Shoulder” By Charlie Hunter →

Sunday Music: Wynton Kelly’s “I Want A Little Girl”

It breaks my heart this isn’t broadly streaming, but at least it’s on YouTube. After being all fired up the past few months, I needed to relax a bit and Kelly’s trio work consistently puts me in one of my happiest places.  “I Want A Little Girl” is standard, laid-back, bluesy-piano-pop at its finest. Recorded … Continue reading Sunday Music: Wynton Kelly’s “I Want A Little Girl” →

Sunday Music: Dream A Little Dream Of Me

First I heard a version of it while watching the new season of The Boys. Then, it came back again watching the latest season of Stranger Things.  Apparently, I’m not the only person obsessed with this song.  My favorite cut - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (which was featured in Stranger Things). https://youtu.be/gxrws7omOHQ Ps. you … Continue reading Sunday Music: Dream A Little Dream Of Me →