Beyond the here and now…

Blog, Gypsy Jazz, Jazz / By

“Astoria (vocal version)”(Composed and arranged by Reynold D. Philipsek’s 2020 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)Guitars, vocal- ReynoldHarmonica-Clint HooverBass- Jeff BrueskePercussion-Michael BissonnetteRecorded by Stymie Seamans Personally, I really like this song, recording, and production. I’m sorry if that seems immodest. There are several recorded versions of this song. The other versions are instrumental only. It was at the suggestion of a radio […]

Beyond the here and now… Read More »

To better express life’s mysterious thrill…

Blog, Gypsy Jazz, Jazz / By

“Morning Star” (Composed, arranged and orchestrated by Reynold D. Philipsek copyright 2023 Zino-Rephi Music BMI)All instruments played by Reynold exceptBass clarinet and alto flute by Allen L. AsmusRecorded by Stymie Seamans Video production by Rene Erickson(Recorded September 20, 2023) I’ve used that Maurice Ravel quote before (the one in the heading). Ravel said that one of music’s primary purposes was to

To better express life’s mysterious thrill… Read More »

The winter wheat will rise and fall…

Blog, Gypsy Jazz, Jazz / By

“Long Ago, Far Away”  (Composed and arranged by Reynold D. Philipsek 1994 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)All voices and instruments by Reynold exceptCello parts by Dianne TremaineRecording engineer-Stymie Seamans The last verse of this song states;“The winter wheat will rise and fall,East or West Old Sol sees all” The basic gist of that stanza is that although time will bring great

The winter wheat will rise and fall… Read More »

Chance or a heavenly sign…

A Life Well Played, Gypsy Jazz / By

“Simplicity”  (Composed and arranged by Reynold D. Philipsek 2013 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)Guitar, bass, keyboard and vocals- ReynoldBongos- Jim SillowayEngineer- Stymie Seamans  (If the subject heading for this blog seems cryptic, please check out the lyrics at the bottom of this page.) The subject matter is a common one for me: the proverbial “is life random or design” question. I tried

Chance or a heavenly sign… Read More »

Alban’s Bolero

Blog, Gypsy Jazz / By

“Alban’s Bolero”(Composed and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek 2011 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)Guitar-ReynoldViolin-Gary SchulteBass-Jeff Brueske  This is a real rarity, although there are many pieces I’ve written and recorded that can be put under that category. The basis for the melodic line in this piece is the original 12 tone row (G, Bflat, D, Fsharp, A, C, E, G sharp,

Alban’s Bolero Read More »

Last Summer

Blog, Gypsy Jazz / By

“Last Summer” (Written and arranged by Reynold D. Philipsek 2012 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)Guitar-ReynoldBass-Matt SenjemPercussion-Michael BissonnetteSaxophone-Doug HainingRecorded by Stymie Seamans I engaged Lisa Reedy, a jazz record promoter, to hype this album to radio and press. Consequently, it is and is most likely to remain my highest charting record. “Last Summer” reached #8 in Cashbox during the summer of 2012. It

Last Summer Read More »