JazzBariSax.com

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!

I’ve recently come across several interviews with baritone great, Gary Smulyan, on YouTube. They are not professionally produced, but they are interesting to watch and give a great feel of what Gary is like and how he approaches music. Check them out below!

Thanks to Aidan Sears, we have a new Pepper Adams transcription up. This is on the tune ‘Tis’ from the album, ‘Julian’.

Head on over to the Transcriptions page to take a look!

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

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

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

Paul Nedzela, baritone saxophonist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra will be giving three different online classes discussing different baritone heroes.

Harry Carney on Feb 2 at 7pm
Gerry Mulligan on Feb 9 at 7pm
And Leo Parker on Feb 16 at 7pm

Each class is $10, you can register for them at the site here!