New Ronnie Cuber Transcription
Luke Miller has been kind enough to send us another transcription. This time from Ronnie Cuber on the tune ‘Groovin’ High’ from the 2012 album, Boplicity. Head on over to the transcriptions page to check it out!
Category: General
Count Basie band to pay tribute to longtime baritonist
The Count Basie Orchestra will play a concert at SCSU in tribute to John Williams, a baritone saxophonist (and SCSU alum) who held the chair in that iconic band for 38 years.
Charles Evans on MOPDTK’s remake of “Kind of Blue”
If you follow the jazz world you may have noticed some controversy stirring recently about an upcoming release. Mostly Other People Do The Killing or MOPDtK are a group of modern jazz veterans known for producing music that is just beyond comfortable to most jazz fans but makes important points, has great humor, and is flawlessly executed.
They have re-recorded Kind of Blue, the iconic Miles Davis album. The album Blue will be released, recreating note for note, quite literally, every bass line, every solo, every chord. This has riled up some folks for sure.
Baritone saxophonist Charles Evans has written an excellent post on the subject. (no relation to Peter Evans who plays in MOPDtK, although they are frequent collaborators as well). Charles has known these musicians for quite some time and articulates his points very well.
Head on over to his site and give it a read.
Let us know what you think in the comments if you are so inclined.
Attention Saxophonists between ages 18-23!
Vandoren’s Emerging Artist competition has just announced that their online application portal is now open:
“The Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition is open to any highly proficient saxophonist or clarinetist in Jazz or Classical between the age of 18 and 23.”
The deadline is December 15th, 2014, you can see all of the details, including prizes and repertoire requirements at VEACompetition.com
New Lars Gullin Transcription
We’ve just added a new Lars Gullin transcription to the transcription collection. Thanks goes out to Francesco Badaloni for sending this in to us.
Head over to the transcription page and check it out!
Frank Basile all week Sept 16-20 at Dizzy’s in NYC!
Catch baritone phenom Frank Basile all of this week at the late night series at Dizzy’s club in New York City!
Tuesday, September 16th – Saturday September 20th
Frank Basile/Steve Fishwick Sextet featuring Osian Roberts
11:30 pm
Dizzy’s Late Night Session
An assembly of baritone saxophones
On August 21st 2014 8 baritone saxophonists assembled to take part in an performance art project in Peekskill, NY.
Truly a unique sound! More footage to come later. Part of Fit the Battle – A commemoration of the life and legacy of Paul Robeson. More info at www.fitthebattle.com
Calling all baritone saxophonists!
Calling all Baritone Saxophones to Fit the Battle from justin randolph thompson on Vimeo.
“Performance_August 21st at the Hudson Vally Center for Contemporary Art, Peekskill, NY. For more information or to participate write to fitthebattlepeekskill@gmail.com with ‘Fit the Battle’ in the subject line.
Fit the Battle is a performance and commemoration created for Peekskill, NY that honors singer, Civil Rights activist, actor and athlete Paul Robeson and his celebrated baritone voice. The piece uses monumental sculpture and the largest ever gathering of Baritone Saxophones to immortalize the fervor and spirit of this critical figure of American history and his global reaching vision of unity. The industrial past of Peekskill and the cultural diversity of its population echo the cry for solidarity of working people that Robeson voiced with eloquence and determination. This project seeks the power of community to become a temporary monument. The project is directed by Justin Randolph Thompson in collaboration with Bradly Dever Treadaway and Jason Thompson.The work is supported and coordinated by Salem Art Works. Spread the word.”
New release from Adam Schroeder!
We are extremely pleased to let everyone know that one of our favorite baritone saxophonists, Adam Schroeder will be releasing his second album as a leader on Capri Records June 17th! Take this opportunity to learn a little bit more about Adam with his recent Interview for JazzBariSax.com.
Click here to check out an early review, and be sure to grab a copy of his album!
JazzBariSax.com Interview Series: Adam Schroeder
The next installment in our interview series feature Adam Schroeder. Adam holds down many of the baritone chairs on the West coast and has put out several albums as a leader. He is a tremendous guy and an accomplished saxophonist, we’re glad to feature him here.
Why the baritone? I found my voice on the baritone saxophone during my senior year of high school. I had been playing the lead alto chair in our jazz band for three years however was trumped in the audition by a great friend. We had both been studying with David Glasser from NYC at the time and had both learned that the two most important chairs in the saxophone section were the lead alto and the baritone…support! Since my friend and I each knew one another’s playing, it was an easy switch for me to hopefully offer a stronger support in the section instead of playing the second alto chair. Needless to say, I loved it and never looked back.- Favorite recordings of and/or with baritone saxophone? 10 to 4 at the 5 spot, Encounter & Julian by Pepper Adams; The Concert Jazz Band stuff by Gerry Mulligan; Stop and Listen by Cecil Payne & anything by Leo Parker
- What’s your equipment/set up? Right now I’m floating between two set ups: 1. Berg Larson Hard Rubber 110/2 SMS chamber with a Rovner Lig and Rico Jazz Select 3M reeds 2. Vandoren B9 with their M/O Brass Lig and Vandoren ZZ #2 reeds. I find each suitable for many different occasions but if there is an extra punch needed, then I throw on my Berg
- Low A, Low Bb, or “My favorite horn is the one in front of me” ? I currently play a low “A” horn; Yamaha 62 with some custom work done after an extensive repair from an airline incident. I’ve owned a 1920 Silver Conn low Bb however did not play it that often so I sold it to someone who is playing it full-time. I’d love to find another low Bb horn as I believe they speak better all around the horn…and as a soloist, I find that the horns themselves resonate with more colors than a low A horn
- Anything specific to the baritone you recommend practicing? Just think of it as another saxophone, not a baritone…that’s a common stereotype, that this horn we love is SO different than the other saxophones. Don’t be scared, put some air into it and your back into it and have some fun! LONGTONES!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Favorite venue/place to play? Anyplace where the audience is involved/engaged. They want to feel the energy as well…not just the musicians playing for themselves (or each other). I love live clubs where there is conversation going on music related…not just obscene talking or chatter. In Los Angeles, I really enjoy the Blue Whale, Jazz at the CAP, Alvas, The Lighthouse, Vitello’s and then anything that In-House Music represents.
- When travelling, does the horn go under or in the plane? IN THE PLANE – but be nice! Everyone is just trying to do their jobs and being an ass gets you nowhere! Be accommodating as well. Most of us traveling with the new “Manning” custom cases also take pics on our cell phones of the horn in the overhead/closet on the different aircraft models that we are flying on. But overall, JUST BE NICE and they are usually pretty understanding. If not, stand your ground in a polite and reassuring way and continue to ask for their supervisor.
- Favorite quotes about music? Keep On, Keepin’ On (Clark Terry); Take care of the MUSIC, and the MUSIC will take care of you (John Clayton); the 5 “T’s” of playing (Oscar Peterson) and Dizzy’s list (can’t remember what its called at the moment)
- What do you do when not playing music? Enjoy the outdoors…mother natures natural symphony. Compose and sing; work in another field which I feel allows me to focus in on music at a much more heightened state when I get the chance. Read and spend time with my family. All of which I’ve mentioned above leads right back to my passion, our passion, which is music.
- Bonus Question: “A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?” Humor Me, you look just as lost as I do…but lets enjoy today for what today brings and hopefully make a few smiles and memories along the way