I can be really flighty. Sometimes I convince myself that the breaks I take from my work are for legitimate reasons, but at the end of the day I know I have wasted a good deal of time. Ego has… Continue Reading
I have a theory about what coffee and wine have in common: With either, when you first try it, you don’t care what you’re getting. Once you get into it, you care what you get. Then, once you’ve gotten quite… Continue Reading
I was once asked why, as a jazz musician, I am also a metal fan. The simplest answer is, “Why would I like anything, metal or otherwise? It just sounds good to me.” But that would make for a brief… Continue Reading
I first heard Richie Kotzen on one of those flexible records that used to come with each issue of Guitar Player magazine. Even though he was a latecomer to the 80’s shred party, he brought a truly original style to… Continue Reading
In the wake of the passing of one visionary, we commemorate the passing of another: John Lennon, who would have turned 71 today. I consider John Lennon to be one of Rock’s two most important figures, along with Frank Zappa.… Continue Reading
Holy moley, this man never ceased to amaze me. Great melodies, stunning arrangements. Every tune of his is something I want to perform. Being somewhat of a techno-geek, Scott transitioned into electronic music around the 50’s, often using instruments of… Continue Reading
This man is outstanding. Whereas most of us play at the creation of music by putting sound events together to see what happens, Crumb’s music seems an effortless expression of original ideas. When music makes such a genuine, personal statement,… Continue Reading
Today we mourn the passing of a vital yet under-appreciated member of the jazz elite: pianist George Shearing. Witness his brilliance in this performance of “Conception,” the head of which I regard as one of my all-time favorite melodies: Miles… Continue Reading
My roommate’s friend Travis, who is as musically unsophisticated as anyone you’d be likely to know (“Miles Davis? Never heard of him”) came into the apartment inebriated while my mp3 player was on, with my entire music collection on shuffle.… Continue Reading