Hey everyone, I just wanted to draw your attention to an exciting gig that I have coming up in January with a new band of mine. We'll be doing all original music, and it should really swing. If anyone will be in the NYC area come January, please drop by and say hello!

Dan McCarthy, vibes
Mark Shim, sax
George Garzone, sax
Michael Bates, bass
Nasheet Waits, drums

Real quick, I never have time to write in depth reviews. But I'm listening to Tom Beckham's CD and thought I'd mention it here. It's a great CD with really great playing! You guys should check it out.

Maybe Tom will post a track here and lead sheet!

I think we might go overboard sometimes by suggesting that there is only one legitimate improvisational language in music and it comes from Bebop/blues/jazz. We tend to require some historical quote from the "jazz language" or it is ignored or labeled that it doesn't speak and isn't legit music. Sometimes we can be a bit closed minded to the point of prejudice with the idea that everyone has to play "jazz/bebop/blues" to be worth anything as an improviser.

Steve Yeager Edited this interview from NPR. If you haven't heard this yet, it's great and you'll learn alot about Milt!

At last, I found a video clip of Victor Feldman playing vibes! This is from an old TV program called Frankly Jazz. The first tune I don't know the name of, but it features Feldman on vibes, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Kenny Dennis on drums and Bob Whitlock on bass.

What's with the m-48. I hung with vibist Tom Beckham last night and I couldn't believe he had the same experience as me. When I play my m-48 I have to move it around my floor to get it into a spot where the dampening will work. He does the same thing. I love the sound of the instrument. The bars are beautiful, but it's such a drag to play.

Any ways anyone know of to fix it?

I just thought I'd pass this on. A quick story.

I gave finals today. Each student had to perform Donna Lee in 3 keys and solo.

Anyway let's make it short. All but one student is left in the room. He plays Donna Lee in 3 keys. It was the best performance of the whole class.

When he got done he looked up at me and he was shaking. He said, 'I'm sorry, I tried'. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe the demons that were just in his head while playing this. If his head would have been cleared he would have got done and said, "wow". Instead he thought he failed.

I went through the lessons and books last night and I was floored. There's so much knowledge here I can't believe it. I was blown away.

I just hope you guys are combing through all the lessons and pulling stuff out and working through things one at a time. That's important ONE AT A TIME. (ok maybe 2)

And finally a standard/ballad. Thank you very much for listening!

Another one of my original tunes. Same gig. It was towards the end of the night so things got a bit freer.