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Hi everybody,

So I know it's a bit late, but the new TOTM (Days of Wine and Roses) has really inspired me to build up a wider repertoire of tunes, so I've come up with a new year's resolution.

From today, I'm going to try and learn a new tune every two weeks (by ear), and at the end of the two weeks post a recording on here, to give a sense of finality to the exercise.

John! You're birthday is the same as Gary Burton I think.

Two great people! One GREAT vibe player and one up and coming great vibe player!

You guys are both great friends of mine and great supporters of the site. You both have many friends here!

So I hope you both have a very Happy Birthday!

Let's all wish John and Gary a Happy Birthday!

Mario over at alternate mode has developed a MIDI drum head. Pretty cool huh? I'll get him to tell us more about it ASAP. He's really working up some pretty cool things.

We've talked a lot about sitting and playing. I've done it before. Last night I sat for the whole gig. I was using my old M-55 which is my lowest instrument. This bar stool was a little high but ok. I felt great playing like that. It was very comfortable. No problems at all playing. I just sat because the stool was right behind me. It wasn't planned.

Just thought I'd mention it.

Hey everybody.

First post of 2011, so happy new year!

Just before Christmas, I had a letter to say I'd been offered a place to study Jazz Vibes at the Royal Academy of Music, London, from September 2011. Needless to say I replied accepting the place in seconds!

While I've had an incredible time, I'm now anxious to get home and back into my grind. I definitely miss all the work I put into the site, and especially all of you guys. Although, these days I'm certainly checking things out via an Ipad, Iphone and Macbook. So it's not that bad huh?

This is certainly paradise, hanging out practicing and reading all day. I stay up every night until about 3am just to read and check out the ocean. Add to that a couple of Dutch neighbors who like to swim naked and visually it's incredible here!

I had the great pleasure to see the Christian McBride band a couple of days ago, featuring vibist Warren Wolf. I got to know Warren casually about ten years ago when he was finishing up at Berklee, and I haven't had the chance to hear him play again until now. I knew, just from reading his name here and there that he was doing well and getting a reputation as a strong player, so I was looking forward to the performance.

I'm heading to St. Maarten. I'll check in down there. Marie's in charge so behave!

Behn is going to post some lessons while I'm gone. I'm making this like I won't see you guys for a few days, however, I have two routers with me, an Ipad a computer, an iphone, a synth, a set of vibes, a recorder. so let's see what happens.

I'm not a touristy kind of guy so between gigs I imagine I'll be practicing and hanging on the site, like usual.

Are the TOTM's helpfully? Some of you guys are quiet but I know you're off practicing them.

What's our next tune? Another standard? Modal?

Here are some ideas:

So What - tap into some modal stuff. this tune is deceptively simple.
inner Urge - More advanced difficult head.

Blues - Deceptively deceptively simple
Minor blues - dive into the minor world, it's cool, funny and easily more quickly rewarding then the major blues.

Days of Wine and Roses - pretty song with a lot of 'meat' on it.
I'll remember April - another tune that I think is part modal and part standard.

Here's What you have to do:

You have to be the first to create 15 NEW Amazon Reviews of great vibe cd's not already up on the site. If you worked hard you could do it in 2 hours (once you get the posting routine down). 15 of your favorite cds, must haves for us. Here are the rules.

The post dates must be today or after.
They must have a vibe player on them and he must solo or do something where he really stands out.
You must be a subscriber.