Posts tagged 2006

Getting Some Fun Out of Life and Music: Back in St. Paul With David Frishberg

Mar20
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Peter Blasevick

A few cool interviews I found on the JazzPolice website this week.

Today’s interview is with American jazz pianist, vocalist and composer David Frishberg. He’s likely best known for writing funny tunes (and of course the Schoolhouse Rock classic “I’m Just a Bill”), but he is quite the pianist and singer as well. In the piece, Frishberg discusses his early years, leaving Minnesota for New York, songwriting in L.A., and some of his influences. From the piece:

Looking back, David identifies three individuals who most influenced him personally and musically—Al Cohn, Jimmy Rowles, and Dave Karr. He also cites pianists whose style made the biggest impression—Teddy Wilson, Mel Powell, and Nat Cole. “Also I was a big fan of Tatum and others—Errol Garner and the boppers, Al Haig, and Bud Powell.” But it was particularly Jimmy Rowles whom he admired. “I was already in the Twin Cities Big League, but then I heard a Jimmy Rowles record. Something about the way he played and touched the piano changed me. I wanted to play with and learn from him. I listened to him play on the Woody Herman Small Band sides, and on Peggy Lee’s “Black Coffee” on a 10-inch LP from Decca. It showed me how brilliant and elegant an accompanist could be. Rowles had everything.” Of old bandmate Dave Karr, Frishberg says, “Dave Karr is one of the most profound influences on my music—his excellence and musicality. I’ve learned a lot and was inspired by him. He was the most proficient musician I had met at the time.”

Click here to read Getting Some Fun Out of Life and Music: Back in St. Paul With David Frishberg

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Dave Weckl: Rhythm Talk

Mar01
2013 Leave a Comment Written by Peter Blasevick

Today wraps up our week of interviews for the great website AllAboutJazz.com!

When any jazz enthusiasts start talking about drummers, one of the first names that comes to mind is sure to be Dave Weckl. This major innovator of modern jazz drumming has grooved with more players since he started playing in the New York club scene in the early ’80s. His most notable stint started in 1985 when he was asked to be a part of the then-forming Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, which he revived in 2004 after a break of over ten years.

In this 2006 with Stefanee Freedman at a show in Los Angeles, CA with guitarist Mike Stern and bassist Victor Wooten, Weckl discusses his groups, his technique, his recordings, his drums, and plenty else. An interesting bit from the interview:

AAJ: Do you find having more knowledge of the piano helps you with arrangements and writing?

DW: Well, it is necessary or you may sound pretty silly. You have to have some sort of harmonic knowledge to piece all the instruments together. Like anything else, the more influence you have from different things, the more knowledge you have to work with. With drums, it helps to know different cultures of rhythm, so I try to use my background or knowledge of different rhythms to input little things here and there in the music. If you have a better harmonic knowledge from all types of music like classical to rock to blues or whatever, the music will be deeper and fuller.

Click here to read Dave Weckl: Rhythm Talk  

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Pat Metheny On Piano Jazz

Jul26
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Peter Blasevick

More Piano Jazz interviews for this week!

Guitarist Pat Metheny is one of the most critically acclaimed jazz musicians of the past 35 years. A tireless sonic explorer whose style incorporates elements of progressive jazz, fusion, Latin, post-bop and New Age music, Metheny has an astonishing 17 Grammy awards and three gold albums. This year, Metheny released Orchestrion, a “solo” album on which Metheny uses his guitar to control an entire mechanical ensemble of orchestral instruments. Metheny has also worked alongside jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock,Charlie Haden, Ornette Coleman, Roy Haynesand Joshua Redman.

On this 2006 Piano Jazz session with Marian McPartland, the Pat Metheny Trio, which includes star bassist Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez, drops by for a set of Metheny originals and a few Ornette Coleman tunes.

The set list:

  • “Bright Size Life” (Metheny)
  • “So May It Secretly Begin” (Metheny)
  • “Ambiance” (McPartland)
  • “Go Get It” (Metheny)
  • “Question-Answer” (Metheny)
  • “Police People” (Coleman)
  • “Turn Around” (Coleman)

Click here to listen to Pat Metheny on Piano Jazz

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Keith Jarrett On Piano Jazz

Jul23
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Peter Blasevick

This week at TNYDP I’ll be listing some of the great episodes from NPR’s Piano Jazz.

Host Marian McPartland tried for years to line-up elusive pianist Keith Jarrett for a Piano Jazz session. Following his stellar performance at Carnegie Hall in 2005, McPartland confronted the elusive performer and convinced him to put in an appearance on her show. The Allentown, Pa., native graciously invited McPartland and a small crew to his home studio, a converted barn next to his 18th-century farmhouse. The intimate setting and the chemistry between the two made for an exhilarating session.

Jarrett plays totally in the moment — he sits down at the piano with no musical pre-conceptions.

“Usually if I have an idea it locks me in its little room and keeps me there unless I get rid of it before I put my hands on a keyboard,” Jarrett says.

Appropriately, he begins the session with a lyrical, improvised piece reminiscent of jazz great Bill Evans and classical composer Aaron Copland. It’s a complete musical idea of which McPartland says, “Lovely chords!”

Click here to listen to Keith Jarrett on Piano Jazz

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George Benson 2006

Jul03
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Peter Blasevick

The legendary guitarist sits down with Smitty Smith at JazzMonthly.com to discuss ‘Givin’ it Up’, his collaboration with Al Jarreau and other topics.

Click here to read George Benson 2006

 

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Nine interviews with Carli Muñoz

May19
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Peter Blasevick

The legendary jazz pianist and long time Beach Boys sideman Carli Muñoz plays almost every night at his restaurant Carli’s Bistro in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Eating there last night and listening to him play so beautifully inspired me to post a link to his interviews page on his personal website.

Click here to read Nine interviews with Carli Muñoz

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Ornette Coleman at Berklee College of Music

Apr26
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Peter Blasevick

In this 2006 interview, Berklee professor Bill Banfield talks with Coleman about knowledge and intelligence, evil and human condition, and his Pulitzer winning Sound Grammar, among other topics. This video clip is from Coleman’s official website, which is a flash site, so there is no direct link. When you click through to the main page, navigate to the “videos” tab; the interview will be listed on the right hand side.

Click here to watch Ornette Coleman at Berklee College of Music

 

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