Free For All

I saw him as a guest on some TV show recently (looking older and bespectacled but acting pretty much the same as always), but I can't think of what it was. Maybe someone else will remember. His act was usually pretty funny and frequently more than a little creepy. That Philip Glass comment is funny. He plays trombone, doesn't he? Figures.

Yes, it's been going for a long time. Every now and then the insensitivity of the editing just gets me riled up all over again. Speaking of the UK, I'm always shocked at the lousy American TV shows that find their way to TV over there. I'm totally embarrassed that ANYONE has to see the Jerry Springer show. Really presents an accurate cross-section of America. I guess people want to watch that stuff. Yuck.

The additional editing that takes place when a show becomes syndicated is really infuriating IMHO. They edit additionally to add yet more commercials and frequently cut off lines, scenes etc. Anytime there is a last segment after the credits (like on Seinfeld) they reduce the image and shove it into a corner and start showing ads. For example, I was watching the Seinfeld episode where Mel Torme is singing "When You're Smiling" to a "mentally-challenged" Kramer, and the final word "YOU!" that Kramer sings, the punchline of the whole bit, was cut off! Ruined the whole show. And why do they even bother running credits on movies? They distort, reduce and speed up the crawl so it provides NO information whatsoever. I'm sure it's because of legal obligations, but what's the point?

I want to use this today before it expires. Is this for one item only, or is the discount for 20% off the entire purchase?

A trip down memory lane.......Kenny G Plays Monk

Hey, if it works for you, go for it. My feeling is that when I don't have to read a chart, I can then close my eyes while I play which eliminates the visual distraction. My goal is to be more dependent on my ears as the primary source of input, which to me promotes more interaction among the members of the group. Just my two cents.

The changes are too hard. B-)

Beatrice is currently in heavy rotation. I haven't gotten tired of it at all. Just played it last Sunday at the Fairmount with Joe's trio. Black Narcissus I don't have down yet. Still have to read that one. Probably not much. "Feelings". "Theme from Ice Castles". "Macarena". "Hot Buttered Popcorn".

Not that Jim wouldn't have figured it out in 4 bars, of course.

Wait a minute......b3-er is Jazz Kat, isn't he?

I believe the appropriate term is "wussie". I believe the specific member you refer to is Jazz Kat. "Jazz Kat"- poor kid can't even spell, god bless 'im. Oh well, if you can't beat 'em...... Phree Phour Aughl

Just finished listening to it. It does have an interesting form, doesn't it? The beginning of the A section (specifically the use of the parallel minor-major 7th chords) is IMHO reminiscent of Nica's Dream. The way I hear it the form is: A (24 bars) A (24 bars) B (8 bars) A (24 bars) ....making it an 80 bar tune.

You're right. Sorry I blew up. B-)

And in response to your original query- I know quite a few tunes, and I keep a list in a little spiral notebook which I keep in my case. Once I have a new tune memorized it is added to the list. Part of my practice routine is to regularly review the tunes on my list because it often happens I'll learn a tune and then not play it again for a long time. I have to play through tunes to assure that I remember bridges, form, changes etc. Plus the book is handy to remind me of tunes (that I might have forgotten about) to call at a gig or session. This is something I have my students do to gauge their progress in the process of learning tunes- they also separate the list into categories like Ballads, Blues, Rhythm Changes, Latin etc. That way they might notice, for instance, that they know 10 blues heads but only 1 ballad, and then make an effort to even up the totals a bit. I feel this is good preparation for when they move to a new city and attempt to integrate into the local jazz community, which usually happens by attending jam sessions. Players who know tunes (w/o dragging out the fake books)often make a favorable impression right away.

Jazz Kat, isn't "knowing the tune in your head" what memorization is? Just trying to figure out what you're saying. My original point was that if it is a tune you don't know, how can you "figure it out during the first four bars", when you haven't heard the whole form yet? If it's a tune you do know, what's left to figure out? Or are you talking about remembering the tune by hearing the first four (or so)bars? I think when one develops one's ears it is possible and common to play well on unfamiliar tunes by just listening to the changes once or twice. Ever hear that recording of Bird sitting in w/Woody's band? He plays on Four Brothers (which is not your run-of-the-mill chord progression) and you can tell he's feeling out the tune, and on each subsequent chorus he nails it even more.

Impressive. I usually have to hear at least an entire chorus.

"Wrong answer......now you die!!"

True, but we have.....

This a harder than I thought it would be. I'm choosing based on overall history and not necessarily who is at their "peak" right now. I'd have to go with (in alphabetical order): Kenny Barron Herbie Hancock Ahmad Jamal Hank Jones Harold Mabern And I'm not happy about those who were left out.

I saw THIS over at AAJ and thought it might be appreciated here. A very impressive typo!

Pepper also played his ass off on Lee Morgan's The Cooker.

As played by George Barnosaurous? :rsmile:

This is the LP version I have.