Category: General

Two new classic Ronnie Cuber solos added

Thanks to Martin Schaefer for sending in not one, but two Ronnie Cuber solo transcriptions! They are both classic Cuber solos. The first is “I’ll Remember April” from the album Love For Sale that Ronnie did with the Metropole Orchestra. The second is “Star Eyes” from his album Cuber LIbre. Both albums were a big part of my early listening and feature some peak cuber.

So head on over to the Transcription Repository and download copies for yourself!

Mister Music BariFlex Standing Baritone Sax Stand

We have a number of saxophone harnesses and stands listed on the accessories page, but a new one was just added. This is a free-standing baritone saxophone stand that is intended for use standing up! Though I think the stand could be adjusted for use sitting as well. Its based on very sturdy drum hardware and is made in Germany. I have not had a chance to see the stand in action, so if you’d like a full review, checkout SaxophoneCentral’s full review on it.

The stand currently can only be purchased directly through their website here.

Let us know in the comments if you’ve had a chance to try it!

2021 GERRY’S JAZZ CHALLENGE

The following information comes from GerryMulligan.com:

The annual “Gerry’s Jazz Challenge has been announced for 2021 by The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation. The foundation will provide free lead sheets and big band charts of Gerry’s “Out Back of the Barn.” There is also an educational video available on the website. The contest is held each year to honor Gerry’s birthday (April 6) and Jazz Appreciation Month.

ELIGIBILITY: Students in grades 9 – 12 in the United States.

HOW TO ENTER: Students are asked to download the lead sheets and upload a video of their performance on YouTube.  The Contest Entry form can be found here: Gerry’s Challenge 2021.  Students must fill out the form completely and include the YouTube link to their performance.

PRIZES: Top Saxophone Player will receive a new Conn-Selmer Saxophone.

Two Musicians will receive $500 prizes
Three Musicians will receive $250
Five Musicians will receive $100

The Contest Rules can be found here: Gerry’s Challenge 2021 Contest Rules

For Educators: Download Big Band Charts and Educational Video

See all details on GerryMulligan.com

 

A new Gerry Mulligan tribute album

On March 5th baritonist, David Larsen will be releasing an album of Gerry Mulligan music entitled “The Mulligan Chronicles.” This album features 4 musicians who all worked with Gerry Mulligan; Dave Glenn on trombone, Bill Mays on piano, Ron Vincent on drums, and Dean Johnson on bass.

In addition to musicians that played with Mulligan it features 13 of his songs. Some very well known ones (Walkin’ Shoes, Festive Minor), and a number of lesser known ones. David has done quite a bit of study on mulligan, looking at handwritten scores and speaking with Mulligan’s widow, Franca. Fans of Mulligan should check out this album.

If you’d like to hear more, or purchase a copy (digital, CD or Vinyl!) head over to BandCamp:
https://larsenjazz.bandcamp.com/album/the-mulligan-chronicles

Rik van den Bergh Releases Tribute to Duke Pearson

Dutch baritonist, Rik van den Bergh has released a new album, available digitally as well as on LP. Its titled “Is That So?” It is a tribute to pianist and composer Duke Pearson. Pearson was a great composer that is known amongst jazz musicians but perhaps not as widely as he could be.

I don’t have a lot of information about the album past that, as European record labels seem to never list any information about albums on their sites where they are for sale. Rik is an accomplished baritone player, and sounds great on the album. The recording quality and mix etc are all very well done. The tunes are all great – they sound and feel like classic hardbop jazz, though they are all fairly obscure songs that only a more-than-casual jazz listener is likely to have heard. Duke Pearson’s most well known song is probably Jeannine (often associated with Cannonball Adderley), and while its not on this album, the songs have the same great swinging feel and very cool harmonic feel.

If you’d like to pick up an LP or digital copy of the album head to the record labels site here:
https://www.zennezrecords.com/shop/rik-van-den-bergh-is-that-so-vinyl

3 new transcriptions from Anthony Pellegrini!

Transcription contributor, Anthony Pellegrini

Veteran transcription contributor, Anthony Pellegrini, has just delivered 3 more transcriptions. And they are fine choices. Gary Smulyan, Ronnie Cuber, and Harry Carney are all included here.

Ronnie’s solo is on “Hardbop Grandpop” from a amazing Horace Silver album of the same name. Gary Smulyan’s transcription is from a less known album by Michael Benedict called Bopitude and is over a Kenny Dorham song called “An Oscar for Oscar”. And finally the father of the jazz baritone saxophone is represented here with his solo on “Festival Junction” from the famous Duke Ellington album recorded Live at Newport.

Head on over to the Transcriptions page to download copies of all 3 for yourself!