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.
We went to Sticks’ first college big band concert tonight and it was awesome. Of course we videotaped and have some nice audio and video to share when I have the time to polish it up for the web, but I just want to say that the encore was The Flintstones Theme, played waaaaaaaay fast and waaaaaaay fun. I’m sure I’ve never heard a better rendition. Congrats to the CSUN Lab Band!
Posted by Karoli in Music, News September 29th, 2007
I should go to bed but I just got my second wind, and there have been all sorts of little random things this week that made me stop and say to myself, “You should be blogging this!”…but something else got in the way. Let’s see how many I can remember…
James Spader really DOES look like one of the Lennon Sisters when he’s in full drag. It’s why he wins the Emmy — he’s just unafraid to do anything, no matter how bizarre or believable, which he was…in spades.
Our house is not big enough for 2 drumsets, 2 kids, 3 adults and 1 pug. We’re a bit cramped with the eldest moving home…hopefully his situation will improve soon.
Too much work and absolutely no play makes Karoli a dull, tired girl. Every October it goes the same way, no matter how hard I try to prevent it.
I love our Prius more now than I did when we got it. It’s just a fun, quirky, cool car.
There are some absolutely terrific bloggers out there. I’ve found some really fun and interesting blogs by clicking on the links underneath the Blogher ad over on the right. It’s humbling to read the funny, touching, gripping and beautiful blogs I’ve seen this week. Try it — click any of those links right under the ad over there, and enjoy.
I wish I could write funny posts instead of bitchy, critical ones.
I’ve come to really, really like the Foo Fighters. Sticks’ influence, I’m sure.
The new Herbie Hancock and Joni Mitchell albums are awesome. Vinnie Colliauta is especially cool on Herbie’s album. Both mellow, jazzy, and full of nuance.
Teachers really have a tough job. More on this later, but should a graphic novel that’s a bit on the adult side be grounds for ending a career that by all accounts, was successful up to that point? Teaching in Connecticut seems to be fraught with peril.
Fables of Faubus, performed by the Moorpark College Jazz Band - Spring, 2006
Oh, Lord, don’t let ‘em shoot us!
Oh, Lord, don’t let ‘em stab us!
Oh, Lord, don’t let ‘em tar and feather us!
Oh, Lord, no more swastikas!
Oh, Lord, no more Ku Klux Klan!
Name me someone who’s ridiculous, Dannie. Governor Faubus!
Why is he so sick and ridiculous?
He won’t permit integrated schools.
Then he’s a fool!
Boo! Nazi Fascist supremists!
Boo! Ku Klux Klan
(with your Jim Crow plan)
Name me a handful that’s ridiculous, Dannie Richmond.
-Faubus-Rockefeller-Eisenhower
Why are they so sick and ridiculous?
Two, four, six, eight: They brainwash and teach you hate. H-E-L-L-O–Hello.
Fables of Faubus First recorded on May 5, 1959 for Columbia Records, on Mingus Ah-Um. Orval E. Faubus was a governor of Arkansas who, in 1957, sent out the National Guard to prevent a few black children from entering Little Rock’s Central High School. Mingus’ condemnation of this action was apparently too strong for those in charge at Columbia Records, who prohibited Mingus and his drummer Dannie Richmond from singing the lyrics above…
(From Charles Mingus: More Than a Fake Book.)
Opera is a difficult listen for most, and I’m no exception. But Luciano Pavarotti not only riveted me, he changed all of my perceptions about opera and its place in the larger landscape of musical performance. His talent was unrivaled and he will be missed.
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.
Congrats to the CSUN Lab Band!
…living life in 19/7 time 