May 16 will mark the 63rd anniversary of Django’s death. He died at the very early age of 43. Django has long been a major influence on my music. It is quite remarkable just how popular his music remains throughout the world. I first discovered Django’s music when I was about 18 years old. While listening to the CBC (Canadian […]
Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) Read More »
Since I had already played guitar since the age of ten it was only natural to form a rock band in my early teens. To my mind (and that of about ten thousand other adolescent males with screaming hormones) a guitar was like a fishing pole for catching girls. One of the first songs I wrote (I have since written
My history as a musician (first installment) Read More »
Ambrose Bierce is one of my favorite writers. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” totally freaked me when I was a sophomore in high school when we read it in class. And I have been a fan ever since. The title of his biography is “Alone in Bad Company” which is a title I covet and can absolutely relate to
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) Read More »
I listen to music every day quite intently. On my iPod during my one hour daily jog and on CD in my car. My recent favorites come from very different sources and styles. 1) “Prokofiev Piano Concertos One, Two and Three.”All great and full of invention. My favorite recording of these Concertos is the one by pianist Michael Beroff and
Recent listening (Prokofiev, Martino, XTC and Ravel) Read More »
This is the central question I have pondered my entire life. It is (in my opinion) the central theme behind all theology, science and physics as well. Brevity and concision (my main two rules of musical construction) also derive from my drilling down on this essential and existential question. I am certain that my life’s vocation as a musician and
I have stated previously that Maurice Ravel is my favorite composer. On March 7 of this year it will be 151 years since his birth. Ravel was born in 1875 and passed in 1937. In my opinion Ravel was the “Mozart” of the early 20th century. For those who have not sampled Ravel’s music I would suggest “Valses nobles et
Maurice Ravel (151 years) Read More »