Flute News - September 2014 - Bill McBirnie

Hi, Everyone:

Following are several recent items, each of which is set out in more detail below my signature:

(1)  APPEARING IN CONCERT WITH SIR JAMES GALWAY

(2)  EXTREME FLUTE (A BILL MCBIRNIE/BRUCE JONES COLLABORATION) - NOMINATED FOR A TIMA

(3)  FORTHCOMING ALBUM - GRAIN OF SAND - BILL MCBIRNIE & BRUCE JONES

(4)  ERROL GARNER - “MAMBO ERROL”

(5)  UPCOMING GIG LISTING

Thanks very much…(both for reading and listening!)… 

 

Bill McBirnie - Extreme Flute

Phone:  (416) 652-1541

Web Site:  www.extremeflute.com

CDs & MP3s:  http://www.cdbaby.com/all/extremeflute

 

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.  In practice, there is."  (Yogi Berra)

(1)  APPEARING IN CONCERT WITH SIR JAMES GALWAY:

Four months ago, I ordered a couple of tickets for my wife and I to attend the Royal Conservatory’s Season Gala Concert featuring Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway (which is going to take place at Koerner Hall on Saturday, October 25th).  Then, about a month ago, Sir James himself phoned to invite me to perform with him!…So I said, “Yes”!  (…Because I happened to be going anyway… :-)  Anyway, (…Didn’t I just say that?…I’m clearly excited…), I made it known to Sir James that I would really like to have Bernie Senensky on the gig because he will make it very easy, for BOTH of us.  I also suggested that we might resurrect a duet Sir James performed with Moe Koffman when they were touring together in Australia in the 1980s…So I am looking forward to acknowledging Moe at this event as well!…

(2)  EXTREME FLUTE (A BILL MCBIRNIE/BRUCE JONES COLLABORATION) - NOMINATED FOR A TIMA:

Bruce Jones and I enjoyed the good fortune to be nominated for a 2014 Toronto Independent Music Award (TIMA) in the “Best Jazz/Instrumental” category.  Here is one of the tracks we submitted.  It is entitled, “Away From Home”, and it is about two minutes in length.  (However, as I said to Bruce, "This is too slow to win!” :-)  https://soundcloud.com/extremeflute/03-away-from-home

By the way, you can see the full roster of 2014 TIMA nominees at the following link:  http://torontoima.com/awards/tima-2014-nominees-applicants-2013-14/

(3)  FORTHCOMING ALBUM - GRAIN OF SAND - BILL MCBIRNIE & BRUCE JONES:

The previous item segues nicely into this one because Bruce Jones and I have been working on a brand new recording project entitled, GRAIN OF SAND, and it is turning out REALLY well…but we’re only at the mixing stage, so I’m not sure when we’ll be able to release it…In any event, as a bit of a teaser, here is an unmixed track which we plan to include on the album.  It is entitled, “Remembering Paul Horn” and it was recorded shortly before Paul passed away in June.  This track is also about two minutes in length…and it just so happens to be too slow to win anything as well!… :-)  But I am pleased to say that it is “very Paul Horn” because Paul has been my most major influence on the instrument, ever since childhood!  https://soundcloud.com/extremeflute/remembering-paul-horn

(4)  ERROL GARNER - “MAMBO ERROL”:

Finally, if you get a chance, listen to - and watch - this clip because it is five minutes of unbridled JOY!  Here is the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvunbSpWNeQ

(5)  UPCOMING GIG LISTING:

[ NOTE:  You can always find a current/updated gig listing at the following link:  http://www.extremeflute.com/contact.html ]

Wed., Nov. 19, 2014 at 9:00 p.m.

Mezzetta Cafe Restaurant

681 St. Clair Ave. W. (at Christie)

Toronto, Ontario

With REG SCHWAGER - Brazilian!

Sat., Oct. 25, 2014 at 8:00 PM

Koerner Hall - Season Gala Concert

273 Bloor Street West

Toronto, Ontario

In concert as a SPECIAL GUEST of SIR JAMES GALWAY

Tickets online at: performance.rcmusic.ca/event/season_gala2014

Thurs., Oct. 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

Bloom Restaurant

2315 Bloor Street West (Bloor West Village)

Toronto, Ontario

With LOUIS SIMAO (guitar & vocals) & LUIS ORBEGOSO (cajon)

For reservations, please call (416) 767-1315.

Sat., Oct. 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

The Old Mill - Home Smith Bar

21 Old Mill Rd.

Toronto, Ontario

With BERNIE SENENSKY (piano) & PAUL NOVOTNY (bass)

Bill McBirnie - Extreme Flute
Phone:  416-652-1541
Website:  http://www.extremeflute.com
CDs & MP3s:  http://www.cdbaby.com/all/extremeflute

The Music of Kenn Smith

Fusion, Rock, Ambient. A gifted and versatile composer, guitarist and bassist who's music and impeccable technique are consistently
described as a soulful, organic experience." "If I Remember" is a cool mixture of Contemporary Jazz and Ambient music. Gentle, soothing sounds that any true music lover will enjoy and appreciate.

Kenneth LaMont Smith, born and raised in Chicago, he honed his musical skills as a freelance guitarist and bassist on Chicago's music scene and abroad. From theater and nightclubs to studio sessions and tours he quickly earned the reputation as one of the best in his field performing various styles of music. Sharing the stage with such artist as: R. Kelly, Tower of Power, Wynton Marsalis and members of the Miles
Davis Band. As a solo artist, composer, instrumentalist, his music and impeccable technique are consistently described as a "soulful, organic experience". His style crosses all musical boundaries.

Brilliant, passionate compositions with amazing instrumentation. Jazz,

http://www.kennsmith.com

Debra Mann performs Joni Mitchell Tribute

Jazz Night featuring Debra Mann Quintet - Debra Mann, jazz pianist and
vocalist, has performed throughout the northeast corner of the US for
3 decades. She was deeply influenced by the music of Joni Mitchell,
from her folk roots to her exploration into jazz. Debra's band
features the mega talents of Dino Govoni (saxophone), Steve DeConti
(guitar), Dave Zinno (bass), & Marty Richards (drums). Together, they
interpret the iconic songs of Joni Mitchell through a jazz lens. Come
join us for a very special night of world-class music celebrating Joni
Mitchell’s 70th birthday with the Debra Mann Quintet.

Joni Mitchell Tribute
Saturday, October 4, 2014
7:30 PM

SPIRE CENTER
For Performing Arts
25 1/2 Court Street
Plymouth, MA
(508) 746-4488

Tickets: $25
http://www.spirecenter.org/

For more information: http://mixedmediapromo.com/debra-mann/

The Boys Are Back!

Gerry Gibbs reunites Thrasher Dream Trio
With Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, and a few very special guests

Sometimes good ideas just materialize. Sometimes they come simply out
of urgency. Gerry Gibbs had just recorded and released Thrasher Dream
Trio—with Kenny Barron and Ron Carter—for Whaling City Sound. That
record was so successful so quickly that all parties involved wanted
to hop back in the studio faster than a teenager driving his first
car. But with what material? What kind of record?

Gibbs had been working with Neal Weiss, label head of WCS, for four of
his eight solo recordings. They worked together well. Gibbs’ mind is
a massive scratchpad of possible ideas: recordings, songs, harmonies,
hooks, collaborators … “Neal never tells me what to do,”
explains Gibbs, “but he threw out an idea for a concept record.”

Gibbs has a lot of concepts up his sleeve, but chose a handful of
classic R&B and soul tunes from the 60s and 70s to see how the band
would handle them. “I thought I will not try and re-harmonize any of
the original chord changes because these songs are already so
beautiful,” says Gibbs. “We’lI only change the rhythms to make
them swing.”

They all agreed: a cool idea indeed. Gibbs cleared it with his
bandmates, and while that sounds manageable, it took months to find a
recording date in which all parties were available. “Kenny and Ron
loved the idea,” says Gibbs. “With these guys, I can go in 50
different directions, so it’s frustrating to choose just one.” Not
to mention that they are so in demand, it’s tough to find the time.

And so they set out to record. The songs are ambitious; the choices
are predictable, but also great canvasses for the band. Choices
include material by the greats: Stevie Wonder (“Too High,” “My
Cherie Amour”), Marvin Gaye (“What’s Going On?”), Earth, Wind
and Fire (“Reasons,” “Fantasy,” “Runnin’”), Nascimento
(“Brazilian Rhyme”), and many others.

The performances are spontaneous, fiery and inventive. They take
warmly familiar tunes and turn them into sizzling, classic jazz
standards that stretch the skills of these consummate musicians and
draw the listener into an epic jazz adventure. “I thought,” says
Gibbs, “these are all recognizable melodies that people love, so I
will treat them like old jazz standards to sing to and only make up
the forms for the solos.”

The recording also features playing from red hot, world-class guests
Warren Wolf (vibraphone), Larry Goldings (B-3), and Steve Wilson
(woodwinds). Says Gibbs: “Ron and Kenny use Steve a lot, too, so the
camaraderie was a blast with the four of us.” Goldings, besides
being one of everybody’s favorite piano players, is also one of the
music world’s most accomplished organists. “I can brag a lot about
Larry,” says Gibbs, “but when Kenny expressed his love for
Larry’s playing and told me after listening to the tracks how great
he thought Larry sounded, well, that’s about as great of a
compliment as one can get coming from one of the masters of the
piano!”

Recorded by Alex Venguer at MSR Studios in New York, mixed and
mastered by Mike Marciano at Systems 2 Studios, produced by Gibbs, and
overseen by Weiss at WCS, the stage was set for a handful of truly
grand performances. Combine that collective effort with a great
concept for a recording, and you’ve got “We’re Back,” the
Thrasher Dream Trio’s inspired new project.

KoSA China: Celebrating a five year successful collaboration!

Contact: Dr. Jolán Kovács

Local: 514.482.5554 • Toll Free: 1-800-541-8401

info@kosamusic.com •  www.kosamusic.com

For Immediate Release

KoSA China:

Celebrating a five year successful collaboration!

Montreal, August 31, 2014 – Internationally regarded drum and percussion artist Aldo Mazza, just returned from a very successful trip to Tianjin, China where he had the exceptional opportunity to teach and perform in front of several hundred eager drum enthusiasts joining in an international faculty.

Aldo Mazza is the Artistic Director of KoSA Music, a successful music he co-founded with Dr. Jolán Kovács,  spouse and life partner.  This is Mazza's fifth annual trip to KoSA China for this event.  KoSA China is produced in close collaboration with 9 Beats Music Education Schools, directed and founded by Mr. Li Hongyu.  9 Beats has 200 school locations throughout China.

The 2014 event kicked off with the band competition for kids of all ages studying at  9 Beats.  Mazza was a member of the judging panel alongside fellow percussion and drum set artists including:  Lucas Van Merwijk (Holland) Alexandre Cunha (Brazil), Chris Trzcinski (China), Rick Latham (USA), Nicholas McBride (Australia) and Dom Famularo (USA). The panel had the difficult task of selecting the best band from an array of talented and energetic performers!

Following the competition, The week kicked-off with an electric performance by the highly energetic percussion group from Holland, Drums United. A jam packed schedule of classes and back-to-back teacher training seminars were given by the stellar faculty.  Aldo Mazza gave an engaging seminar to 9 Beats teachers, focusing on traditional Cuban rhythms and their application on the drum set.   Other classes concentrated on teaching 9 Beats students from all over China (a total of 400 participants this year) to study drum set and percussion.  Additional classes were given by Greg Irwin (USA) who wowed the students with his incredible finger exercise techniques.  Rick Latham (USA) offered an in-depth presentation to the teachers on funk drumming. Rock drummer Mike Terrana gave some highly musical and technical concerts and masterclasses. Conga legend, Raul Rekow (Santana) gave classes and a performances on Latin music, rhythms and techniques. Other classes and performances were given by equally extraordinary artists such as: Simone Sou, Alexandre Cunha, Mousse Mbaye, Sam Debell, Isumi, Chris Trzinski, Dom Famularo and many well known Chinese artists.

The week ended for all with the Grand Finale Faculty Concert, lead by Aldo Mazza. The concert featured Drums United, motivational drummer Dom Famularo, Wilson Zhand, Drums United, Alexandre Cunha

Plans are already underway for next year’s event in China to take place in August 2015.  Please visit kosamusic.com to keep current with ongoing program development world wide.

—  30  —

aldo mazza
514-482-5554
www.kosamusic.com
www.facebook.com/kosamusic
www.aldomazza.com

www.facebook.com/aldomazzadrums
阿尔多·马札

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NEXT Events:

1..KoSA Miami -         January 9-11, 2015 ( theSFCPA)

2..KoSA New York -   February 14, 2015

3..KoSA Cuba -          March 1-8, 2015 ( Havana)

4. KoSA International Percussion Workshops, Drum Camp & Festival.. 20th anniversary -July 2015

                                                                                                                                        
KoSA DVD available at www.kosamusic.com -9 lessons with the Masters 
                                 

Avant-Garde Icon Wadada Leo Smith Joins Forces With Jamie Saft, Joe Morris and Balazs Pandi On Startling RareNoise Release Red Hill

For Immediate Release Please      Avant-Garde Icon Wadada Leo Smith Joins Forces With Jamie Saft, Joe Morris and Balazs Pandi On Startling RareNoise Release Red Hill AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 AND THROUGH RARE NOISE RECORDS ON CD, VINYL AND HI-RES DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Wadada Leo Smith Trumpet Jamie Saft Piano, Fender Rhodes Joe Morris Double Bass Balazs Pandi Drums              ABOUT THE LABEL - RareNoiseRecords was founded in late 2008 by two Italians, guitarist/arranger/ producer Eraldo Bernocchi and all-round music nut Giacomo Bruzzo. Located in London, the label was created to present a platform to musicians and listeners alike who think beyond musical boundaries of genre. For further information and to listen please go to www.rarenoiserecords.com. New York, September 2, 2014 - There's a sense of mystery, majesty and daring surrounding this remarkably deep studio session, the first of its kind for the adventurous renegade label RareNoiseRecords. Each piece resounds with such compelling, conversational, in-the-moment playing that it sets a new standard in collective improvisation. "I believe it raises the bar for what improvised music can achieve on record," says pianist Jamie Saft of Red Hill, the group's mesmerizing debut on the RareNoise label. Fueled by the urgent high note blasts and expressive muted trumpet work of avant-garde icon Wadada Leo Smith and underscored by an uncanny group-think of RareNoise stalwarts Saft (Metallic Taste of Blood, Slobber Pup, Plymouth, The New Standard) on keyboards, Joe Morris (Plymouth, Slobber Pup, One) on acoustic bass and Balazs Pandi (Obake, Metallic Taste of Blood, Slobber, Pup, One) on drums, Red Hill is a kind of clarion call for the new avant-garde. "It's rare that four improvisers with such a broad depth of approach are given complete freedom to construct an album such as this," adds Saft. "I think there is nothing like Red Hill. It is a wholly unique and previously unheard shape for an album. The session was totally improvised. No sketches or preconceptions, really no discussion at all before playing." A dynamic, highly intuitive offering, Red Hill is full of tensions and releases and characterized by dramatic use of space juxtaposed with turbulent crescendos by the provocative collective. That this music really breathes and flows organic is due in no small part to the incredibly sensitive, remarkably flexible playing of drummer Balazs, who covers a very wide spectrum on this recording. "Balazs has a sense of freedom that is rare in improvised music," says Saft. "He brings a depth of knowledge of both hardcore and metal music as well as free jazz and noise styles. He is of the moment and always pushing forward. He's a deep listener and a sympathetic thinker, so improvising with Balazs always flows properly." Saft has similarly high praise for Pandi's rhythm tandem mate, bassist Joe Morris. "His approach to the acoustic bass is completely unique and like nothing else in this world. Joe pushes the music into uncharted territory while sustaining the flow brilliantly. The idea of 'Snake Time' is in full effect here, and Joe and Balazs together create truly unique and crucial spaces to frame the improvising." Pandi's sensitive, highly interactive brushwork and coloristic cymbals underscore Smith's lyrical muted trumpet playing on the sparse opener, "Gneiss." And yet, when that piece builds to a turbulent crescendo near the end, the drummer is right there to fuel the frantic proceedings. With mallets, Pandi engages in a conversational duet with Smith at the outset to "Janus Face," a piece that evolves from slow, open rubato statements to dense explosions of tumultuous free jazz sparked by Saft's Cecil Taylor-esque attack on the piano. Saft switches to Fender Rhodes electric piano to attain another color on "Agpaitic," a conversational romp that features some aggressive bowing on the bass by Morris. And Pandi supplies the rolling free pulse beneath Morris' trance-like bass ostinato and Smith's edgy trumpet excursions on "Tragic Wisdom," which also has intrepid improvisor Saft plucking strings inside his piano. Silence is the watchword on "Debts of Honor," a thoughtful improvisation which evolves gradually over the course of nine minutes from zen-like tranquility to intense crescendo paced by Pandi's relentless drumming and Saft's spiky piano comping and is highlighted by some of Smith's most powerful blowing of the session. The trumpeter begins the closing number, "Arfvedsonite," with a high-note blast before Morris enters with some insistent arco work to create an edgy texture. Pandi's rolling pulse with mallets and Morris' resounding bass tones quickly establish a solid launching pad for Wadada's stratospheric improvisations on trumpet, bringing this spell-binding collection to a ferocious conclusion. "I have worked with Wadada in the past both as a pianist and also as an studio engineer," says Saft of the revered elder statesman of this Red Hill session. "I was thrilled to record and mix Wadada's large ensemble album Lake Biwa as well as contribute some piano to it. I've worked closely with Wadada in the studio in the past and witnessed his incredible focus and deeply intuitive way of putting together albums. So it was thrilling for me to get the opportunity to put together this album with a lead voice as strong and important as Wadada's. My approach to this record was to accompany and support him as deeply and as intuitively as possible. All decisions were made in service of the whole." Adds Morris, "I first heard Wadada in my hometown of New Haven in 1973-74. I've always paid attention to him, heard all of his work, read his writings. We've known each other for more than 30 years but this was the first time we've had the chance to work together. I think of Wadada as a master trumpeter/improviser and as the inventor of his own methodology. He has a completely unique sound and way of playing. He uses space and pulse in very sophisticated ways, and he always plays everything from the deepest part of his being. He's a beautiful person, artist and musician. He always brings out the best in everyone around him." With the iconic Smith inspiring the rest of the crew of Saft, Morris and Pandi on this freewheeling session, the four daring improvisers hit a stirring accord on Red Hill, their monumental debut on RareNoise Records. TRACKS Gneiss Janus Face Agpaitic Tragic Wisdom Debts Of Honor Arvedsonite   PRESS CONTACT Antje Hübner hubtone PR | New York phone: +1-212-932-1667     EURO cell: +49-(0)174-584-6063  antje.huebner@hubtonepr.com     www.hubtonepr.com

JazzWorldQuest WEB PLAYER and Free MP3 List Update: Kenn Smith, C’nky Siwela and Suigenerys

	Musician: Suigenerys Track: neco-ecos Album Name: Suigenerys Composer: Neco
	Musician: Kenn Smith Track: If I Remember “Brilliant, passionate compositions with amazing instrumentation. Jazz, Fusion, Rock, Ambient. A gifted and versatile composer, guitarist and bassist who’s music and impeccable technique are consistently described as a soulful, organic experience.” “If I Remember” is a cool mixture of Contemporary Jazz and Ambient music. Gentle, soothing sounds that any true music lover will enjoy and appreciate.” Album Name: If I Remember/Kenn Smith Music Year of release: 2012 Composer: Kenn Smith Musician/Label Website: http://www.kennsmith.com Link to CD Store
	Musician: C’nky Siwela Track: Afrika “This song is a plea for peace in Afrika. Most of African children suffer from widespread form of psychological slavery, during conflicts in their communities. Violence prevents children around Afrika to live in dignity and impedes them from achieving their goals. Much suffering in Afrika is caused by the acts of cruel criminals. I want to highlight that there is a psychological battle raging for souls of African children and I challenge the world to come together against any form of violence in Afrika. We need God’s help or otherwise Afrika will end up losing the battle against the blood that is flooding our communities. Peace in Afrika!” Album Name: Reminiscent of the Sounds Year of release: 2014 Composer: C’nky Siwela/Label: Down 2 Earth Musik Musician/Label Website: http://down2earthmusik.com Link to CD Store More downloads: http://jazzworldquest.com/the-free-mp3-list  To submit music http://jazzworldquest.com/submit-free-mp3