Brother Jack McDuff

I have to say my favorite B3 organist of all time is Brother Jack McDuff. When I was in the record store the other day, I ran across this:

And, for 2 reasons it had to be mine: oh yes, my namesake Shakey Jake is on the cover, but Jack McDuff is in the liner notes. This music is amazing. Organ, Guitar, Harmonica, and Vocals. No Bass, No Drums!

Schoenberg's Theory of Harmony

I am revisiting Arnold Schoenberg's theory of Harmony. This book, from around 1911, was published before he made his most important changes in style. One may expect to find Schoenberg writing some out there theories of 12-tone atonal composition, but this book is actually as square as it gets. He lays out the rules before he allows you to break them.

I am approaching it as an arranger, composer and bassist. I find that if I go through the exercises, write them all out, and then practice them on the bass, the most simple things become even more solidified in my mind, my ears, and my fingers. Concepts such as the "law of the nearest way," help me discover new ways of voice leading through chords with minimal movement.

In a way I feel like I am starting over. Back to square one! But it is fresh fresh fresh and exciting. Let me know if you would like to use the book after I am finished with it...

Band Apart at L'Escalier

My last show in Montreal, August 18th at L'Escalier with Band Apart, that's John Paton's music, with Jake Henry and Ivan Bamford.

Photo from 2640 August 7

It looks like we are tuning up:

Nuevo Tango trio with Susan Alcorn and Melissa Hullman. Photo from David Smooke.

Film Scoring for Conseil Quebecois de la Musique

Sight reading music for 12 francophone composers, scoring to film is a good time. Studio La Planete provided beautiful facilities (Neve!). The arrangements were for String Bass, Cello, Viola, Clarinet, 1st, and 2nd violins. This was all recorded to time code and a click track. Tempos would change to match the picture. The composers had a range of songs and effects, few open to improvisation, but many encouraging interpretation.

The production size of a film scoring operation can range from a single person, to a team of composer, orchestra, recording engineer, music producer, and director. I was happy to be on the side of the glass I was on, trying to make sense and something musical out of the situation. It was rather intense, and I would like to do this more.

Otherwise, I am saying goodbye to Montreal this week. My friends Eli and Ashley from Providence RI came up to play at L'Envers. Check them out at REL records. I made sure they had a St. Viator Bagel and some 2am putine. I am blessed to be hanging with Kalmunity on Sunday night at Dieze Onze. On Monday, Recorder experimentalist extraordinaire, Terri Hron, will be here via Amsterdam via Banff. Then, Band Apart will perform on Tuesday at my old stompin' grounds, L'Escalier. Wednesday night I will play piano bass duo with Julie Themens at Le Cafe Les Entretiens. All of this while I finish up the Frank Feutre record, and then I am OUT.

Italian Festival in Little Italy, Montreal, is loud and sleek. One went east, one went west, one flew over the cuckoo's nest. jkl

Friday August 7th at 2640

I am headed back to Baltimore for some fun fun fun.

Franck Feutré

My good friend and flat-mate Ben and I are currently producing the new Franck Feutré record.  Franck Feutre is Ben's brain child imaginary character who recounts his adventures in an invented language made up of neologisms, pseudo-English, French, Swahili, and Bantou.  The record will have flute, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, electric bass drums, synthesizers, casio keyboards, and other fun noise-makers.  We are recording it in our home in Montreal with flautist Hannah Rahimi.  See the picture of the mess and confusion below.