News

Thank You, Roslyn!

2010-08-24T07:25:42Z

I like small towns. I like the clarity in people’s eyes and the direct kindness in their conversation. I like the sense of community that an outsider can perceive. I like the slower pace, more suited to enjoying life. I like the fact that small towns allow the chance for my cliché-ridden self to shine.

Just played the Brick with Judd Wasserman and company (Jason Gray, Colt Valenti). This band is still in the process of finding what exactly it is, but that process is good. We’re kicking more and more ass every time we play out. If I manage to get a hold of the footage (hi, Jenna!) I’ll post video of Judd coming out from backstage during my solo with a sheet over his head, looking like a ghost. My solo quickly became an accompaniment.

Also, do try and make it to Sullivan’s (7th and Union) some Wednesday. The Mack Grout Trio plays there from 5-10 every week, and we’re starting to dial in the sound, playing more and more original compositions.

Thanks for listening,

An Eternal Playlist

2010-07-27T07:51:17Z

Recently, I spent a few days at a Buddhist meditation retreat. This is a regular occurrence for me. During zazen, as well as throughout the day, thoughts, images, sounds, etc, come to one. These are fleeting apparitions. Sometimes they have meaning to one’s life, such as when an emotion is triggered by a particular thought. Sometimes, as I said, they are merely apparitions. Scenery that shouldn’t be given too much attention. . . .

It’s not usual for me to keep a journal during these times, as one tries to focus on the present as much as possible, not getting too caught up in the mental processing of events, however I thought it would be a nice, brief pastime to notate the songs that came to mind while in retreat. All but one of these songs came as an actual song and not a thought of the structure—I heard them, noted, and then turned off. (Thank god I’ve acquired the ability to turn these things off, not letting them loop endlessly.) Here they are, in order of appearance (I will try and update this post in the next couple of days with samples):

September Song
Sunshower (Kenny Barron)
Everything Happens To Me (ver: Chet Baker)
No Such Thing (John Mayer)
Mood Indigo (ver: Mingus / Ellington & Armstrong - this was thought of first)
Lost Magic (Gilfema)

Kristin Chambers

2010-06-07T09:02:46Z

I’m pleased to announce the arrival of Kristin Chambers’ new CD of original material, which will be released on July 29th. This album was a blast to workshop and record. Featured on the CD is Jamie Dieveney, Glenn Allen, John Morton and Garey Shelton. More info to come. . . .

Deep Thoughts

2010-05-24T10:59:40Z

In music, the question of how one marks their progress seems to be crucial to how one continues down the path. For example, there are things like financial success/security and technical know-how, both of which are fine and generally aid one’s continued development. Money is needed in order to have the time to devote to the practice; technique aids one in the pursuit of realization of ideas. However, while money is relatively stable (in the sense of, “this pile of money pays my rent”), technique is so completely relative to our musical situation. We record our shows and listen back years later, perhaps hearing that we have a better definition of pulse or that our notes are cleaner, but were we awake and aware of what we were doing then? More importantly, are we now? What is driving our music playing? Do we ceaselessly chase after social gratification, money, more and better gigs, or do we try to figure out just what it is we’re doing and why we’ve chosen to do this?

Lo-Fi Beats are not square.

2010-05-23T19:20:05Z

More beats from the practice room that were captured via cellphone.

Friends and Such

2010-04-23T01:58:45Z

I’m truly lucky to have so many great friends and teachers in my life. You won’t find a traditional “links” page on this website, so I’ve gone and compiled a list of some people that I think you should know about.

Michiko Swiggs designed this rad website. Thanks, Michiko!

Seattle Drum School owner, Steve Smith has the most unique conception of rhythm that I’ve encountered to date. Of course you should take lessons from me, but part of my sh*t was gleaned from Steve’s imagination.

John Wicks forced me to step up my game by having me sub for him at the Seattle Drum School when he went on tour. You rule, J.

Mack Grout—my buddy from Cornish. Mack’s a great piano teacher and player (book him for your wedding!).

Jason Parker and I play together from time to time, both in Water Babies and on casuals. Jason is a true improvising musician. (Book him for your wedding!)

Eido Frances Carney. My teacher and a wonderful artist to boot.

Gregg Skloff, fellow Olympian. We were in the trenches at the Red Lion in Oly, as well as other places. Now he bakes. And continues to make truly singular, inspired music.

Themba Lewis—another buddy from Oly town. Great design and photography.

Not originally from my hometown, Owen Freeman steadfastly remains a comrade in arms. Inspirational to me for many reasons, Owen should be consulted for all of your design/illustration needs. Seriously.

Jessie Smith and I met through training Kung Fu. She teaches great fitness classes. Rock on.

I consider Judd Wasserman to be anudda brudda in music.

Jose Martinez is a warrior, running the Owl ‘n Thistle session for ten years plus. Without that sesh, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be that asshole who thinks he can play. Come to think of it, I haven’t gotten over that yet! Gratitude, gratitude.

Dhamma Gita

2010-04-11T03:17:53Z

One of my compositions, Bedtime Waltz, was recently selected for the Dhamma Gita compilation. The main criteria for this compilation of music was that the (young) composer’s music be influenced by their Buddhist practice. I am honored to have been selected for this project. Of course, it’s hard to go wrong with such bandmates as Dawn Clement and Chris Symer.

The Funky Cosmic Rescue

2010-04-05T04:28:07Z

Had a blast playing with Afro Cop this past Saturday. AC, consisting of Noel, Quintin, Jason and Andy (who I was filling in for) is strictly a live band. They/we get together and just play. No tunes, nothing pre-planned, etc. I was able to record the early part of our first set before the batteries ran out. Too bad I was unable to capture the later half, when, as Noel noted, the funky cosmos came to our rescue, injecting us with some energy. The whole night was one long upward trajectory, with the band gelling towards the later half.

Approaching Recording

2010-03-09T07:09:06Z

Set to go into the studio with Kristin Chambers this Thurs and Fri. Rehearsals last week and this week to prepare, fine tune, etc. The songs are shaping up, the band is gelling, everyone’s energy is great. If we match the vibe of the group with what actually comes out, this will be a great record.

Rehearsal for Water Street

2010-02-07T07:55:37Z

Judd Wasserman, Ty Bailie and myself will be playing the wonderful Water Street Pub tomorrow. We got together today and spent a couple hours running tunes down. Windjammer is one that Ty brought to the table, and though it’s a little raw, it was a good first-run. (with apologies to you, good sir!)

Food for Thought

2010-02-04T07:54:13Z

Stuff has been bubbling to the surface lately. That is, stuff referring to musical/emotional/psychological/spiritual states. It’s taking a while to formulate these musings into a coherent statement, so I thought I’d offer this tidbit gleaned from one Mr. Leon Parker (courtesy of a ripped-out page of Drum magazine, that’s stapled to the wall of one of the rooms I teach in at the Seattle Drum School). Enjoy.

When I graduated high school in 1983 there was Dave Weckl, Wynton Marsalis, and Ronald Regan [sp]. And I was very unhappy. Oh, and the drum machine and the threat of nuclear war. What kind of outlook is that? Well, I don’t care what anybody says, Dave Weckl has not turned out to be the next Steve Gadd. Nobody’s hiring Dave Weckl for his groove. Wynton Marsalis is not the next anybody. Ronald Regan [sp] was an actor. The drum machine has basically taken over the heartbeat which is why people are disconnected today, if you think about it.

There used to be a time when a person had a sound, a desire, a purpose and they wanted to express it and it wasn’t about how much money you could make.

Haiti Benefit Wed. Night

2010-01-19T19:44:28Z

Seattle-ites! Lucid, in the U district, is having a benefit for Haiti tomorrow. Please visit Jason Parker’s site for further info

Lo-Fi Beats

2010-01-16T02:45:15Z

Been having fun messing around with the recorder on my cell phone. Note: The grittiness of low fidelity adds realism to these etudes. Enjoy with your favourite absinthe.

Beat3b is what happens when you try to remember what you previously recorded and thought was lost. A nice variation.