I LOVE SINGERS

Last night exemplifies everything that playing music SHOULD be.  I had so much fun playing with 2 of my favorite musicians, Jodi Proznick on bass and Julian MacDonough no drums AND a NEW favorite in pianist Champian Fulton on piano and voice.  I knew the ‘Cellar’ crowd would really dig her and dig her they did!

I knew it was gonna be fun from the moment I picked up Champ at the airport. Good vibes, lots of fun.  We did a quick rehearsal and then went for dinner. Dinner ending was a huge disappointment as we were telling great stories and in general just having a good time. The only thing that could better our dinner as playing music.  It swing, it was fun, it was humorous and it was tight…in a loose way if you know what I mean!

Looking forward to tonight and hopefully we sell our condo today!  Check out the video! Wanna buy it?

I DON’T LIKE SINGERS

Well, I haven’t posted anything controversial in a while so my hits have gone down significantly. Actually I haven’t posted much of anything lately so perhaps thats the reason there hasn’t been much activity on the old blog lately. I have a reputation as someone who doesn’t like singers which is very very far from the truth. Take for instance CHAMPIAN FULTON. This is one singer I dig and dig a lot! I had seen Champian on Facebook a bunch and heard her name here and there but it wasn’t until (very cleverly, I might add) that my friend Marc Edelman at Sharp Nine Records included her CD in the same package as the David Hazeltine Trio recording that I requested. I have to admit, upon seeing the CD I reacted generally the same way I do whenever I get a CD from a vocalist. It seems these days I get a CD everyday from someone claiming to be a singer. What caught my eye about this CD was the appearance of one of my favorite saxophonists Eric Alexander . I can’t remember if he is on the first track or not but what I do remember is when I put the CD on I had totally forgot that he was even on it. Champian is fantastic. Her voice is amazing, she doesn’t over sing anything ever and her piano playing is very Red Garland-ish. I was so impressed I immediately got in touch with her and booked a date at The Cellar. That date is upon us. She is here on Friday and Saturday, May 24/25 and she is appearing with me on tenor saxophone, Jodi Proznick on bass and Julian MacDonough on drums. It’s gonna be a lot of fun!

And for the record there are a TON of singers out there I like and we are lucky here in Vancouver to be blessed with many great vocalists!

 

POLL WINNERS

Here is a wee taste from the Poll Winners gig a few weeks ago!  Nice playing by everyone.  We’re trying out these new GOPRO HERO 3 cameras.

PAUL RUSHKA

This weekend bassist Paul Rushka brings his quintet to The Cellar.Paul has become a very fine composer in addition to being a great bassist.  Don’t miss a rare chance to see him. Paul has been living in Montreal where he is completing his doctorate at McGill University.

Don’t miss what is going to be a fabulous weekend!

TARDO!

Things are coming along very nicely on the Tardo Hammer – Simple Pleasure recording featuring Lee Hudson on bass and Jimmy Wormworth.  Mixing is almost complete and the cover art is ready to rip. Check out

OFFICIAL BUY A KEY CAMPAIGN

Here is the official page for our BUY A KEY CAMPAIGN.  Let’s sell all 88 of these bad boys!

MOVIN ON UP!

Cory Weeds / Bill Coon – With Benefits #5 on next weeks JAZZWEEK CHARTS!  Yahoo!