New Deal Gig, Claude Gordon, New Orleans
9/4/2006
New Deal
On July 30th Lorenzo Toppin and I had an opportunity to sit in with the Mike
Montgomery Jazz Quartet at the New
Deal Cafe in Greenbelt Maryland. I had a great time and hope to get an
opportunity to do it again. I was impressed with the number of different tunes
the group was able to play. The number of songs that I'm able to play now would
barely fill a two set gig. I realize that I need to make more of an effort to
learn new tunes. Special thanks to Mike Montgomery, Mike
Fore and Bette Stallman for inviting us join them. If you want to
catch them live visit Mike Fore's website for a schedule
of events.
Claude Gordon Method
After the gig at New Deal I've made an effort to spend more time addressing
the items in my last post. Part of that process has involved working with
the Claude
Gordon method. While there are many methods out there for learning to play
the trumpet I was drawn to the Gordon method because it stresses the
fundamentals (especially breathing properly). I also appreciated the fact that
it includes practice assignments that keep me focused. I go through the Gordon
routine, take a nice long break and then hit some jazz studies (scales,
arpeggios, patterns and transcription). I'm only in my 3rd week so study
but so far - so good. I plan to stay patient and work hard at it.
New Orleans
The one year anniversary of the hurricane Katrina has come and there is still
much work to be done. There has been tons of media coverage about it but I had
to ask myself -- why haven't we heard anything before now? Will the plight of
New Orleans once again be forgotten after CNN, MSNBC and other programs stop
talking about it?
I refuse to forget. I watched Spike Lee's documentary When the Levee
Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (music by Terence
Blanchard) as it documented Katrina's approach, it's terrible strike and the
aftermath. It sickens and deeply angers me to read some online BBS where people
feel it is waste to make the effort to restore the city or that the people
"got what they deserved" for staying. IT REALLY ANGERS ME. I
can't understand the mind that would believe or even verbalize that sort of
statement.
I have a friend who lives in New Orleans. She attended a remembrance service
and shared a quote with me that was on the cover of the program. To me -
it speaks volumes about what the city and it's people are made of:
'Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience
of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and
success achieved.' - Helen Keller
RE-NEW ORLEANS!!!
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