As I get older, and hopefully wiser, it has become apparent to me how the best solution to any given problem is simplicity. As a musician and writer of songs it has become self evident that the key to any memorable piece is the “tune.” Simplicity is a primary ingredient in this case but because the public has heard nearly […]
It’s about the “tune” Read More »
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 »
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 »
Antonio Carlos Jobim is one of my favorite composers. I am often surprised at how many people don’t recognize the name because I am certain almost anyone over the age of 35 knows at least some of his tunes whether they realize it or not. Jobim’s most well known compositions are The Girl from Ipanema, Desafinado, How Insensitive, One Note
Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) Read More »
September marked the 50th anniversary of the recording of jazz pianist Erroll Garner‘s classic album Concert By the Sea. Sony Records celebrates the anniversary of this classic record with the two-CD set called The Complete Concert By the Sea. The entire concert is now available which includes many previously unreleased tracks plus a rare interview with Garner. A recent documentary
Erroll Garner (1921-1977) Read More »
I was busy whispering a detailed explanation of Schopenhauer’s Philosophy of the “Will” into the eager ear of a young lady in the backseat of my 56′ Ford when it happened. Believe me, it took quite a jolt to disengage my attention at that exact moment. After all, I was only 18 years old and my red corpuscles were pounding
Django Reinhardt (first encounter) Read More »