Ornette Coleman once said, “The Tenor’s got that thing, that honk, that you can get to people with. Sometimes you can be playing tenor, and I’m telling you, the people want to jump across the rail.” In 2005, I purchased…
I was nine, almost ten years old when I took up learning the saxophone. A college student taught group lessons in a cramped practice room at the local music store in my metro Philly town. How we learn in group…
Self Care through Music Listening to live music is self care. On Thursday, May 4 (“May the fourth be with you!”), I received wonderful Rx at the concert performance by Anat Cohen; clarinet, and Trio Brasileiro; pandera, bandolim, and seven-string guitar. From…
[Post edited and re-posted to reflect use of Pandora over Spotify.] One night, before I went to sleep, I asked my dream self to help me write today’s music appreciation article. I woke up with this headline on the tip of…
My students put so much energy and practice into their recital performances. I like to honor their efforts by recording the show and uploading the individual videos to my YouTube channel () Our most recent recital was November 1, 2016. Oops!…
Just a short post today. John Coltrane, jazz saxophonist and composer, was born Sept. 23, 1926. To celebrate his contribution to jazz, here are two of my favorite tunes by him: Naima. A soulful, tender ballad. My Favorite Things. Up-tempo…
For several days last week, one song played over and over in my head. It’s called an ear worm, right? Anita and I had watched the 1967 movie version of the musical, Camelot. We watched about 40 minutes at a time.…
Concert Checklist Buy your tickets! Make plans with friends. Listen! Attend the show. Buy Your Tickets Of course you’ve got to get your tickets to the show. And the bigger the act, the earlier you have to get them it…
I’ve been collecting music quotes for a few years. I come across something I like and I stash it in my Notes app. Awesome. Today’s post is dedicated to the je ne sais quoi of music and creativity. Here are 21…
Last week’s topic of having a life song triggered some great discussions with friends and family. Betcha Can’t Pick Just One One point that came up repeatedly was how difficult it is to pick a life song. As Jenn put…
What would it sound like? Name that life song. I posed this question to family members at a recent party. Spouse Anita had the great idea to put up a poster-sized piece of paper. She wrote everyone’s name across the…
My friend and fellow clarinetist, Craig Bunch, sent me a link to an inspiring jazz concert – The Legacy of the Benny Goodman Quartet, Jazz Night In America on NPR. The concert was narrated by author and activist, Wendell Pierce…