Sunday, June 14, 2009

Poets and Jazz Musicians Drink Wine:: the gig

I played the concert last night and it went very well. I was happy, surprised and generally estatic about the turnout. The place was full or Jazz and Poetry lovers. The audience was tops. The group I put together was excellent, if I may say so myself. Joe Mills, the poet, was great. What a nice night. Sometimes you get lucky. I guess if there are talented people around, goods things can happen if you let them. This an interview with Joe Mills and I about the show. It aired on WFDD. David Ford, as always did a great job interviewing and editing.
We played along with the poet on few pieces. This generally went pretty well. I'm always challenged by this and I have done a ton of it over the years.
Jon Metzger was his usual swinging self on the Vibes. I went to NC School of the Arts with Jon for a brief moment in 1977. My friends Albert and Camilla Reeves were there. Always great to see these Jazz lovers.
The show opened with a Poem "A Winemaker Defends His Craft" I had Jon add a little vibes about halfway through. Then a swinging little version of "Pennies From Heaven". Everyone had a go at it. That's how the night went poem, music, poem, music. The audience seemed to love it. So did we.
Here is the line up:

Joe Mills, poet

Jon Metzger, vibes

Matt Kendrick, bass

Jacqui Carrasco, violin

John Wilson, drums

Mark Mazzatenta, guitar


Thanks to all for a great night. Thanks to the Carolina Chamber Symphony Players for putting this show on.



Saturday, June 13, 2009

Poets and Jazz Musicians Drink Wine

Tonight I play a concert I put together with the Carolina Chamber Symphony Players. Jazz, Poetry and Wine is the show. Poet, Joe Mills will read 8 of his poems. Each poem is followed by a tune from the band. I matched the tunes with the poems in an intuitive fashion. This is an interesting process that I never grow tired of. I read the poem and listen for sound in my head. Something happens and I pick a tune. That something is really kind of cool and I think anyone can have fun with it. I have used this with art and literature. I have written a lot of music like this too. When I use art I just stare at the piece and listen. It's all kind of mysterious but creating stuff always has a bit of the mysterious involved. It's fun and nobody gets hurt.