Caught in the act

Occasionally I get called to play in the backup band when touring acts come through town. Last month I played in the horn section for the Chicago-based Under the Streetlamp, an excellent 50s-70s musical review, in nearby Williamsport, PA. 

Here's a quickie phone video from our gig. The audio is, well, it was shot with a phone. But, the video is clear enough for my family to know that I really *was* at a gig that day... :-)

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Hakuna Matata - 67 Trumpets strong!

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Megasax video

Here's Miles Osland's U of Kentucky student sax quintet Megasax playing my tune Mancini digs that mambo.  I believe this was from a warm-up concert as they prepare for a 1-hour set at the upcoming JEN conference in Atlanta.

I can't wait to hear it live -- these guys and gals can play.  Dig the drive of the bari player.

WATCH THE VIDEO...

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Bird-Diz-Monk - they still got it!

When I was first really getting into playing jazz as a teenager, I become obsessed with the Charlie Parker Omnibook. Consequently, I spent a lot of time listening to Charlie Parker.

But, as time passed I got into other musicians, and my Bird-listening went on the back-burner. Until recently.

On a whim, I picked up one of those "Essential Charlie Parker" CDs -- I had previewed it on Amazon and it sounded like a good one, both in track selection and...

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4 Hirsches Video - Wade in the Water

Here's a spicy, juicy, and slightly pumped-up rendition of that fave Negro Spritual.

Download the parts and check out the score HERE.