Like most people, in December and January I sent some greetings cards, to family or friends, by post or internet, in France or all over the world...

I got replies from nearly all of them, but the most unexpected one must have been this one: London based vibist Roger Beaujolais, got back to my email with some very nice and very cool short vibes pieces, never released on any label!

He kindly agreed that I put them on the site.

Here attached, I chose this tune named "Transparent"...

Vibist Tom Beckham will be touring with drummer George Schuller's Circle Wide this month. This is a band which has been playing together for over 10 years heare in NYC /Northeast and released 2 CD' on Playscape Recordings.

This special edition features Brad Shepik, Peter Apfelbaum, Tom Beckham, Dave Ambrosio, and George Schuller. We look forward to playing for you, see post for more tour info. /tb

At the end of my last lesson with Tony, he gave me two Bill Evans CD's to check out. One of them is Bill Evans' "Alone". Tony said that he learned to play solo vibes from this record.

As soon as a got home I checked it out. First of all, I'm a big fan of Bill Evans. (is hard not to be, right?)so I knew that whatever I was going to listen it was going to be beautiful, emotional and magical.

Jeez, those dutch.

Hi all!

Yesterday I've been at Porgy&Bess (www.porgy.at) - the most important jazzclub here in Vienna where Bosko Petrovic Trio (vib, git , bass)played. These guys blew me away! Maybe someone of you have seen Bosko - he is 74 years old and from Croatia. He plays with two mallets - the huge ones like Milt Jackson and uses a timpani gip. Bosko has also composed many jazz tunes. The last few tunes of the gig he featured a boy of about 12 years named Vid Jamnik from Slowenia who studied with Bosko for several years and now plays like a killer.

The most obvious Valentines Day tune is "My Funny Valentine". Are there others?

I put the changes into Band-in-a-Box and had fun with "My Funny Valentine". I'll probably do another take though.

How about posting your version or another Valentines Day tune? I know you want to!

Barry

If you're coming to my house Sunday, you should probably try and be here by noon. I'll have pizza and soda. That will give us an hour to get settled.

IF YOU'RE BROADCASTING FROM YOUR OWN HOME. You have to sign up at mogulus.com and send me your username.

Do you have skype, then send me your skype name also.

Here's a 2 part lesson on rhythm changes. The lesson plan contains the break down.

Here is a two part etude on rhythm changes. The first is a solo with a pdf of the transcription.

Part 2 is a chorus of comping with the transcribed music in a pdf from.

Also are audio files with all the parts and then without the play along parts.

You should memorize both solos and play them in different keys to study them.

The function of music is to release us from the tyranny of conscious thought.

Isn't that an incredible quote. I found online with no source. That's what music is to me. To me that's what we're all trying to do through improv. That's why I don't like a lot of terms, or steps to getting somewhere in playing music. The fewer steps and the fewer terms will free you from the tyranny of conscious thought!

Do you like that quote?