Here’s the audio of last night’s concert — there’s some nice stuff on here. Sticks plays drumset on the 1st, 5th and 6th pieces. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th pieces he’s playing congas and hand percussion.
Since my children consumed my evening with their homework (even the college child), I’m late with the NaBloPoMo post for 11/6, so this will have to substitute.
I’d originally planned to post this tune earlier — it’s part of the set that Sticks did with the Gordon Goodwin/CSUN workshop earlier this month, but I forgot about it. Then tonight I received an email from my mother, letting me know that my stepfather’s mother passed away this morning. She was a wonderful lady, married over 60 years to the same man, full of zing and life and vigor. She was Texas through-and-through, and good people. (No one will ever make peach and cherry cobbler the way she did, either.) She was one of those people that was just happy and down-to-earth and a life-lover.
So, in honor of her, and without sadness (because she wouldn’t like that one bit), here’s a tune to send her off to Heaven….where she will be free of all of the suffering she endured at the end. She’s had a great life; we’re the poorer for her passing.
Edna, rest in peace while Sticks plays you up the 7 Steps to Heaven.
Being the mom of an up and coming jazz drummer means that I get to learn a lot about some of the greats, but in the case of Max Roach I already knew. I’d grown up surrounded by jazz — it was my father’s passion. Max Roach was one of his all-time favorite drummers, alongside Buddy Rich and I was lucky enough (though I didn’t know it at the time) to see him play in person on more than one occasion. At the time, I didn’t realize the greatness and breadth of his talent, but when Sticks started playing and studying the jazz greats, it slowly dawned.
Sticks’ passion for odd time signatures gave me a much deeper appreciation for Max Roach’s talent. Mr. Roach was a genius god of time and meter, painting landscapes with his sticks, brushes, drums and cymbals that were unparalleled by any other drummer. Ever. Sticks’ ability and passion to play melodies inside of drum solos comes from his year-long passionate affair with the Max Roach/Buddy Rich solos on the classic Buddy Rich versus Max Roach recording. Max Roach set a standard that is unique, unparalleled, and will stand forever for all time.
Rest in peace, Mr. Roach. There’s got to be one heck of a concert happening in heaven today.
I recorded this on my Canon S3 (the camera that does everything - audio, video, stills, sliced bread, the whole 9 yards). Sticks is on drumset for this number, recorded at the Saturday Big Band extravaganza.
Some Skunk Funk is the title tune of the last Brecker Brothers album — winner of the 2007 Grammy for best Large Jazz Ensemble.
Doing a week-long workshop with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. This is the band he would like to be the drummer for someday. Can’t wait for the concert Friday.
Since Marie likes long drum solos, I feel better about uploading my latest video brag book entry. The entire piece is quite long — everyone in the band has a chance to solo — so I’ve just uploaded the beginning excerpt which has the guitar and drum solos (the opening solo is just a leadoff — the real solo starts about halfway in). Recording this was frustrating. We pulled the sound in direct from the mixing board, but the guy doing the actual mixing made the mix extraordinarily piano-heavy, so there’s lots of random piano stuff coming through. Still, it’s a kickass drum solo, so I hope you enjoy.
We’re leaving in the morning for Reno — Sticks plays at the Reno Jazz Festival this weekend. We were supposed to fly but couldn’t get flights that were reasonably priced and got us in and out of Reno between Friday and Sunday. That means leaving earlier than we anticipated and returning later than expected because we will be driving.
In addition to a dearth of flights available, hotels have been booked solid for months. It seems that in addition to the Jazz Festival, there’s a big bowling championship this weekend. Yep, it’s a hot time in beautiful downtown Reno. No hotels to be had, just Motel 6 leaving the light on. It could be a pretty weird weekend.
We’re hoping to arrive in time to hear John Scofield play tomorrow night. It’ll be a close run, but we’re aiming for it. Randy Brecker played tonight — I was bummed that we weren’t getting there in time. Sticks’ band is hoping to win first this year. Last year they were fourth. We’ll hope for their best.
…living life in 19/7 time 