Since Gary has been posting about Red, I thought I'd add this podcast. It was done by National Public Radio and they have about fifty other similar podcasts about jazz artists available for free download from their website (www.npr.org). Just search for the program called Jazz Profiles. They're very informative and are a fun listen.

Hope you enjoy.

James

A wonderful article by Gary Burton all about Red Norvo - Tony Miceli

RED NORVO 1908-1999

This is just so good, I had to share it. And with Larry Bunker on drums, who of course was also a great vibist.

I continue to find wonderful historic jazz performances on YouTube. It's an amazing resource in that regard. If you want more, there are a lot of great clips linked as favorites on my page: http://www.youtube.com/VibraphonicMusic

SS

The Tom Beckham Trio will be performing at NYC's The Bar Next Door
Saturday April 4th, 2009 7pm-10pm
with:
Matt Pavolka - bass, Tommy Crane - drums

129 MacDougal St New York, NY 10012
Tel: (212) 529-5945
http://lalanternacaffe.com/

If any mallet players are around the nyc area tomorrow night, please stop by and have a glass of vino and check the music out. I'll give a free CD to any vibe player that shows up. If you stay long enough you can check out Lage Lund's trio afterward.

Sy is a Philadelphia trumpet player. He also ran a music program at a local college and has player all around for years. For some strange reason he, like Marie fell in love with the vibes and he bought a set and takes lessons with me.

I put him on the Mallet Kat today and I played vibes. His musicianship is great he's only held back by his chops which are getting better and better.

We were talking about moving the vibes around and I showed him the Mallet Kat. The new model is extremely light!

Here's our version of Black Orpheus

Here's another etude based on the chords from the tune 'All the Things You Are'. First chorus are chords with alterations, 2nd and 3rd are single line improv.

I have the pdf, and a track with only bass and drums. The drums are just a loop I threw in. If people don't dig the drums, I'll make a track with just bass.

An older record of Gary's called "Country Roads and Other Places" included a beautiful piece titled "Ravel Prelude". It is actually an excerpt from a larger work by Ravel. Gary recorded the piece as a piano/vibes duet. After hearing it, and a gorgeous version of "My Foolish Heart" (also on the record), I was hooked. I recorded this version about 10 years ago. I worked up an acceptable piano part and then overdubbed the melody on marimba. See if you can find Gary's original recording. It is the definitive performance!

I just saw this on YouTube and it reminded me of my interest in learning and hearing other classical tunes for the vibes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmGgSUBldAs
(As a side note, notice he picks up a 5th mallet at 4:18).

I totally dug Gustavo's Partita video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMfiNbqrzYE

Gustavo, was that a literal transcription or did you have to modify the original to fit the vibes?

I'm glad this site isn't called JazzVibesWorkshop and maybe other folks would also like to work on classical pieces with me.