Thanks to all those who came down to Blujazz tonight! I wish more people came at the start because I thought the first two sets were the most solid; nevertheless, I will work to improve the repertoire and to improve my chops over the next 9 months. My goal is to make you all tap your feet or nod your heads to the music but don't do it just because I said so here. Haha. Okay the gig was appropriate closure to the summer holidays. Back to school. Thanks to everyone who came down!

B-Quartet

Shirlyn Tan "[l]oves the spirit and style of the local band Tiramisu! Sees great potential in B-Quartet," according to the little write-up on Stompcast Tag 24. To sidetrack a bit, the Stompcast Tag 24 thing is quite cool. Every week they release a video bio/documentary of local rockers, and it's done quite professionally. Quite inspiring also, although I have my own music problems to deal with (problems really meaning that I have a lot of things I want to practice). Not to be condescending, but jumping straight into playing jazz (or really, just attempting; pretending; trying; bluffing, etc. Long way more to go), the issues deal I have deal more with the technical more than anything. I guess for rock/alternative the "issues" are just different la-chemistry, creativity, philosophy, belief and faith.

Okay okay sidetrack enough already man. Check out these B-Quartet videos. Killer chops la, these guys. The melodies/vocals are strong, the band is tight, the arrangements are unique, the soloing is very creative. I find that shredders are very boring, but these guys employ a lot of chromaticism and altered tones in their solos. In other words, shiok, man. The SADDEST part about the Dry Rain video is the bloody crowd la. It's at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, and everyone in the audience is just sitting there like funeral liddat. Wah piang eh.. of course I wouldn't dare to jump up and down if everyone else in the crowd is just sitting down; but at least move your head or your feet or SOMETHING LA!! Ok anyway check out the music.

The CD cuts are a bit different (I bought it from Straits Records at Haji Lane-very very/uber cool place, but prices a bit high la-last year). Kalai says the recording quality sucks, but its okay for me. The recordings are lacking when compared to the energy they display when performing live, and you get the feeling that they are not pushing the limits/scared to make mistakes. Somewhat controlled, lacking in adventure-resness (sorry man I just spent the last two minutes thinking of a proper word to use but I couldn't think of one). STILL, I LIKE THE CD VERY MUCH. I get the feeling they could have done better recordings but what the hell la. Some people might find it boring at first but the music grows on you and then you get fixated on it. I find the best music that you listen to over and over and over again many years grows on you and when you first listen to it you might actually find it a little sian. Okay let's not get into my favorite topic, which is of course jazzzzzzz zzz.. zzz.. zzz. Snore.

Get the CD! The recorded version of Dry Rain contains hints of Incubus-the harmonized vocals, the Mike Einziger soloing. Solid la. Better yet, if you see me on MSN, you know what to do, hint hint. KIDDING LA, GAHMEN PLEASE DON'T THINK I DISTRIBUTE FREE MUSIC. I mean, better yet, go catch them live, and MOVE SOME PART OF YOUR BODY TO THE SYNCOPATIONS OF THE MUSIC PUH-LEASSSSSSSE!

This post link mania, sia.



Click the above picture to go to the Aging Youth interview.

2006 SCHEDULE:

Sixth Annual BeanTown Jazz Festival


Friday, September 29
The Story of Impulse Records
The McCoy Tyner Septet with Charnett Moffett, Eric Kamau Gravatt, Dave Liebman, Wallace Roney, Steve Turre, and Donald Harrison
8:15 p.m.
Berklee Performance Center


Saturday, September 30
BeanTown Jazz Festival
12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Boston's South End
Columbus Avenue (Massachusetts Avenue to Burke Street)

(Please note: Times are tentative and subject to change.)

Live Music on Three Stages:

Sovereign Stage (Columbus Avenue)

12:15 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Mike Tucker

1:15 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Ellen O’Brien

2:20 p.m.–3:35 p.m.
Kenny Garrett Quartet

4:00 p.m.–5:15 p.m.
A Christian McBride Situation

5:35 p.m.–6:50 p.m.
Carmen Lundy and the New Songbook Artists


Global Stage (Columbus Avenue near Massachusetts Avenue)

12:00 p.m.–1:15 p.m
Omar Sosa Trio

1:30 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Antonio Jackson & Friends

2:35 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
Lionel Loueke's Gilfema

4:10 p.m.–4:55 p.m.
Hot Like Fire

5:15 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Unwrapped All-Stars featuring Dennis Nelson


Marsalis Stage (On Field)

12:20 p.m.–1:05 p.m.
NEC Jazz Composers Ensemble

1:25 p.m.–2:40 p.m.
Jimmy Cobb (Javon Jackson)

2:55 p.m.–3:40 p.m.
Delfeayo Marsalis (Berklee student group with Delfeayo)

4:00 p.m.–5:15 p.m.
Doug Wamble Quartet

5:35 p.m–6:50 p.m.
Mike Carvin Quintet

Sunday, October 1
Berklee Presents
Sunday Gospel Jazz Brunch with Kendrick Oliver's New Life Orchestra, featuring Kevin Mahogany
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Colonnade Hotel

Die la, 4am already still not sleepy.

Thanks for the support!

It was a pleasant surprise for me to be able to play for so many friends yesterday; thanks for all the support! Yesterday's outing at Blujazz satisfied quite a number of musical ambitions, and I'll keep working at it because there's so much more to work on.

Admittedly, the music yesterday might have been a little difficult to appreciate. Without getting into a huge debate, I'd just like to acknowledge the whole issue of musicians playing music they really want to play versus music that they think sounds good. I think I might have had done a little damage in promoting the idea that jazz is music for musicians, an esoteric music that only musicians comprehend.

Of course, that shouldn't be the way. In any case, there are different schools of thought to approaching jazz, but I'm all for the one that says that it should be fun to listen to; that it should swing and make you wanna tap your feet and shake your feet and act like a cool jazz cat. There are also many different kinds of jazz, and yesterday's gig was really an experiment of sorts. I thank you for letting me indulge myself.

Aiya okay I won't talk so much crap la. But the first set yesterday-a bit shy la-thanks to everyone who stayed long enough for me to warm up. By the last set I was exhausted man.