ARTICLES
Education
Practice concepts, ensemble playing, music theory, learn something you can put into use today.
Chord Analysis – Thundercat – “I Love Louis Cole”
In 2014, Thundercat retweeted my analysis of Never Catch Me, a moment I wish I could highlight on my CV. In 2018, I played with Louis Cole played in Boston with a local band I put together, and it will always be one of my favorite hits of all time. ...
An Exercise for Practicing Lead Trumpet at Home
The biggest difference between practicing lead trumpet material at home and actually performing lead trumpet material when it matters - on a gig - is the live element. Here is an exercise for practicing lead trumpet at home to simulate this live experience, build your chops, and work on your ...
Anatomy of an Arrangement: Bill Holman’s “Kissin’ Bug”
Around ten years ago I sat down to transcribe the first track off Bill Holman's first major self-led big band album "In a Jazz Orbit," and before I knew it I had written out all 9 tracks. I had been listening to that record over and over for years and ...
Music Industry
What’s going on in the world of music today and why it should matter to you.
Why Custom Fitted Arrangements Are Necessary
As someone who is a working instrumentalist and a working arranger, one of the biggest problems I see with nearly every band today is a book full of ill-fitting orchestrations. A band playing a chart that doesn't fit them is like a person wearing a suit that isn't their size. ...
Why Communication Is the Most Important Key to a Big Band’s Success
Communication is a critical component of the success of a big band, and without, a band can easily crash and burn, or at the least, waste a lot of time and goodwill. Difference between "jazz" and a "jazz orchestra" “Jazz” implies improvisation and spontanaeity. This is often true in the ...
The Robin Thicke / Marvin Gaye Case Sets a Dangerous Precedent
Before we get going here, let's get one thing out of the way. If you have an opinion of Robin Thicke, get it out of your system right now, because this case isn't about him. He's creepy. Fine. Are we done smugging it up about how much better we are ...
Life as a Musician
Personal reflections on my life as a musician and the moments that impact and influence me, and how you can learn from other’s experiences.
The Time Two Members of Gene Krupa’s Band Got Beat up by White Supremacists: The Zoot Suit Riots
Remember that song "Zoot Suit Riot"? I recently discovered this footnote in swing era history: After a concert by the celebrated orchestra of drummer Gene Krupa, two of the band members, a pianist and sax player, were assaulted by sailors, apparently inspired by the events in Los Angeles. The band ...
Why Communication Is the Most Important Key to a Big Band’s Success
Communication is a critical component of the success of a big band, and without, a band can easily crash and burn, or at the least, waste a lot of time and goodwill. Difference between "jazz" and a "jazz orchestra" “Jazz” implies improvisation and spontanaeity. This is often true in the ...
Remembering Sol Barzune
Sol Barzune passed away on September 18, 2013. Sol was not a musician. But often in a musician's life there are people who are influential in other ways. Sol was born in 1918 in Dallas, TX, and spent his entire life there. His mother was born in Poland. He fought ...
Music Icons
Profiles of great artists and analysis of their amazing work.
Anatomy of an Arrangement: Bill Holman’s “Kissin’ Bug”
Around ten years ago I sat down to transcribe the first track off Bill Holman's first major self-led big band album "In a Jazz Orbit," and before I knew it I had written out all 9 tracks. I had been listening to that record over and over for years and ...
Anatomy of an Arrangement: Duke Ellington’s “Skunk Hollow Blues”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3pt4p1ZjrI Despite the four-deep horn section, Skunk Hollow Blues has a three-part counterpoint on the head, some solo space with simple riff backgrounds, and one of the gnarliest shout sections of the swing era, all at a tempo perfect for beginner dancers and written with utmost efficiency. Written by ...
Remembering Al Porcino
Al Porcino died two weeks ago at the age of 88. I never met him, but he is still a definitive part of my own lead playing. Al Porcino might be the greatest lead trumpet player the world has known. At least one of the top guys, along with Snooky ...
