Saturday, November 29, 2014

CANADA: Flute Bits - November 2014 - Bill McBirnie

(1) “IMITATING BILL MCBIRNIE” - SLAVA FIKS

This is REMARKABLE! I don’t know how Slava Fiks (who is from New York City) managed to capture my solo with such absolute precision (because I could never have done this again myself).  This is a duo track (with Robi Botos on piano) from the album, Mercy, and I dedicated this particular track to Jeremy Steig.  It is about 2.5 minutes in length.  (Of course, as well as being impressed,…I’m flattered!… :-)



(2)  AN UPDATE & SAMPLE FROM THE FORTHCOMING ALBUM, GRAIN OF SAND (WITH BILL MCBIRNIE & BRUCE JONES)

Bruce and I are in the final strokes of this recording project and we really hope to release it soon (…once the mastering and manufacturing are completed…) In any case, I am very pleased with the results so far.  Here is an (unfinalized) teaser which is a vocal track entitled,  “Izabel” (“Isabel”).  It is unmastered so it still needs some trimming, but here is a rush of the track.  (It is about 4 minutes in length.)



(3)  TWO ARTICLES IN THE FALL EDITION OF “THE FLUTIST QUARTERLY”

Two (…yes, TWO!…) articles that I contributed are currently appearing in the fall edition of the “The Flutist Quarterly”, published by National Flute Association in the USA.  Both articles pertain to subjects that are of considerable interest to me personally (…and hopefully to others as well…)  The articles are as follows:

(i)  “Reflections of a Canadian on Paul Horn” which is a essentially a tribute to the flutist who has been - and remains - my strongest and most longstanding influence on the instrument.  (This item appears on page 49 of the journal.) 

(ii)  A book review of Cary Ginell’s biography, “The Evolution of Mann: Herbie Mann and the Flute in Jazz”.  (This item appears on page 64 of the journal.)
(4)  GIG LISTING

[NOTE:  The following gig listing is in DESCENDING order and that you can obtain a current/updated gig listing at the following link:  http://www.extremeflute.com/contact.html ]

Tues., Dec. 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
The Salty Dog
1980 Queen St. E. (in the Beach)
Toronto, Ontario
With the GREG PILO Quartet

Sun., Nov. 30, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
Musideum
401 Richmond St. W., Suite 133
Toronto, Ontario
With DON NADURIAK'S Jambanda - "Party Music"