Jazz News

Timothy Brock Keeps the Score in Frame for 'The Cameraman'

Source: Michael Ricci
May 23, 2010

The composer will conduct the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in playing his new music for the Buster Keaton silent film.

Silence has been golden for conductor and composer Timothy Brock. For nearly 25 years, he has made a name for himself as one of the few composers and conductors who specialize in silent film. He has composed new scores for and conducted orchestras around the world at screenings of such silent classics as “Nosferatu," “Sherlock Jr.," “The General," “Steamboat Bill ...

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Eight Hellacious Background Vocal Mistakes

Source: All About Jazz
May 23, 2010

Stacked harmony vocals and extensive background voices are being heard and dug on again! Some of the best examples are on tracks by redhot indie bands such as the Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear. These bold bands are not merely pulling the nostalgic card, but rather making cutting- edge music by blending tried-and-true techniques with elements unique to themselves.

So when it comes to vocals, be as creative and adventurous as the music will allow. However, you need to know ...

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Sheet Music Apps for Your Phone

Source: Michael Ricci
May 23, 2010

Thursday's Phone Smart column, on music-related apps, does not touch on sheet-music software for mobile devices, but here are two new services worth mentioning.

The “Ultimate Guitar Tabs" app ($3 for iPhone and iPad), gives you free tablature for tens of thousands of songs from Ultimate-Guitar.com, in a player-friendly scrolling format. The big drawback is that the tabs are submitted by users, and they are often inaccurate. Ultimate- Guitar has licensing deals with several major publishers but some music publishers ...

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Shaw Sounds Final: Artie Shaw, 1949-1954

Source: Michael Ricci
May 23, 2010

In 1949 bandleader Artie Shaw, the so-called “King of the Clarinet" who had rocketed to fame at the end of the 1930s on the strength of hits like “Begin the Beguine," had been off the jazz scene for a couple of years, for any number of reasons--he was more interested in playing classical music, there was a recording ban on by the musicians' union, and the economic climate for big bands was turning frosty. But, as was the case several ...

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Three Miking Options for Grand Pianos

Source: All About Jazz
May 23, 2010

Grand pianos may seem like formidable beasts to record, but they're actually as tame as any other instrument.

Depending on the sound you're going after--in your face, bright, ambient, warm, and so on--success is typically measured by critical listening, mic selection, mic placement, and the artistry and dynamic sensitivity of the performer. Here are some starting points for devising your own approach to miking a grand.

Open the Hood A pretty basic option is opening the lid of ...

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A Tour Through Motown, Disco

Source: Michael Ricci
May 23, 2010

Diana Ross was all smiles, glitter and efficiency at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday night, a part of a nationwide tour straightforwardly devoted to her hits. “Tonight is truly, truly about memories," she announced. Segments of her career, from the 1960s into the 1990s, were each marked with a shiny dress (and some feathered capes), a video montage and a selection of hits. She'd scamper off stage, letting the band take over, and return in a few minutes newly ...

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Viva the Band from Sydney Northern Beaches Jazzin Around Europe

Source: Michael Ricci
May 23, 2010

VIVA THE DUO - French music performance

Viva the duo will be performing at a presentation of French music and movies at the Avoca Beach Theatre, NSW Australia on the 18th June. Viva the duo is reputed as Sydney's premier duo that plays International music, in particular French music

Viva the duo regularly perform concerts at International, Interstate and Sydney festivals,Council events, community events and corporate functions. Some of these events are displayed on Viva the band youtube videos

This ...

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Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian Explore Bill Evans at the Blue Note

Source: All About Jazz @ Spinner
May 22, 2010

It's not often that you see a two-week engagement at New York City's Blue Note jazz club. But when Chick Corea assembles a new project called Further Explorations of Bill Evans, which would explore the more obscure side of the piano legend's work as well as new Corea compositions inspired by Evans, two weeks are certainly merited. Also featuring former Evans sidemen Eddie Gomez (bass) and Paul Motian (drums), the lineup was as legit as they come.

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