Gotta Lotta Lemons/Scat Battle

Gotta Lotta Lemons from Zach Trandum Music on Myspace.

Check it out folks!  This is from a number of years ago.  I was honored to perform alongside my friends in Groove For Thought.  Head on over to grooveforthough.com to dig in to more of their amazingness!
I got to scat battle with my friend, and founding member of GFT, Kelly Kunz.

What You Can Do: Breaking the Creative Box

Being a student of vocal jazz, I was exposed to one of the more creative sides of the genre.  I can't put a label on exactly what drew me to vocal improv (or "scat").  I fell in love with jazz at an early age and have been border line obsessed with it since then.  As I began developing my abilities as a vocalist I started listening to artists like Kurt Elling and Mark Murphy, who are known for their incredible scat skills.

One of the reasons I love vocal improvisation is the fact that it is insanely creative.  What would happen if we included aspects like this in to worship music!?  Awesome is what would happen.  If anything it would be a venture outside the normal box that so much of worship music is stuck in right now.  I'm not dissing on what the current popular sound is, I'm just saying that we weren't created to be creatively limited.  So how can we bust out off the box?

Here is a cover I did of an oldy that I'm sure you'll recognize.  I put my own spin on it.



But Seriously, what are your thoughts on creative worship music?  What aspects and cross genre sounds could you incorporate to usher in a new sound?

The bible tells us that we are created in His image.  This means that God, being the ultimate creative being, made us with the ability to be hugely creative.  But how do we get those creative juices flowing?   How do we take old songs and make them feel new?  Here are a few thoughts I have on this subject:

1. Listen like crazy.  Not just to the stuff you usually stick to.  Venture away from your DC Talk CD's and branch out.  Charge your creative batteries by listening to other creative people.  David Crowder is a great example of a massively creative writer.

2. Play with what you're playing.  Try taking the worship tunes you're used to playing one way and take them in a different direction with a different feel.  Who knows, maybe Mighty To Save would sound awesome as a Ska song. 

3. If you're a songwriter, get together with other songwriters and bounce ideas off each other.  Let creativity inspire creativity!

4. Make time for yourself to sit down and create.  Even if nothing of real substance comes out of the time spent, you're still working those muscles.  Creativity takes practice!

The Northwests Harmony Sweepstakes Champs: Straighter Road

Being a student of Jazz and voice, I am intensely in love with great vocal ensemble music.  I'm admittedly pretty picky when it comes to listening to ensembles.  There are some truly great acapella groups out there right now, and I guess it's pretty cool that they can imitate exactly what today's top 40 pop and dance songs are doing.  But I don't really want to listen to a vocal copy of those songs.  My pallet craves new flavors of those tunes.  The Sing Off is a fantastic show that has showcased some great examples of vocal ensembles taking those songs and actually doing something creative with them.

Ok, all I'm really trying to say is that I know a good vocal group when I hear one.  So, right now, before you do anything else, you NEED to stop EVERYTHING and go listen to Straighter Road.  These guys are this years Harmony Sweepstakes Acapella Festival winners and will be traveling to San Fransisco in May to compete in the national competition.  Straighter Road, has a genuine, buttery sound that's infused with a passion to worship God.  Their songs and arrangements are truly creative and have never failed to make me stop and listen.

I'm honored, and elated, to let you all know that my mom sings in this group!  She's been one of, if not the biggest, influences in my life.  She's introduced me to countless styles of music and always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.  I am SO proud of you madre!

The groups founder, Kevin Kunz, also happens to be a good friend of mine and produced my single, What You Do To My Heart.  The guy's ability to write, arrange, and produce is just ridiculous!  Beyond his skill as a musician Kevin is a man that carries himself with humility and a heart that's hungry for the things of God.  He's said from the beginning that Straighter Road is for God, bent on praising Him, and loving people through the gifts they've all been given.

 

Via the Harmony Sweepstakes Website: Singing is one of the purest art forms. Nothing man made between the artist and the audience. Straighter Road was formed as a Gospel vocal group first, with a band back-up, and recently has ventured down the Acapella Road. The challenge of acapella sing is without edges and joined with the charge of spreading the Good News of the Gospel, keeps Straighter Road striving for excellence.

Stank Face: Snarky Puppy

So these guys deserve one big, giant, scrunchy, stank face.









Now let me clarify.  The "stank face", however unattractive, is not only a compliment given by listeners, but often a reflex that musicians cannot fully control.  Guitarists will sink their fingertips in to the neck, bending those strings, and BAM.  Stank face.  If you're a musician you know exactly what I'm talking about and DON'T even try to deny it.  Like I said, it's a reflex.  Just revel in the stanky goodness. 

There are rare moments throughout my life where I've come across collaborative music that's as truly great as Snarky Puppy.  There sound is one that is rich, and chewy, and will constantly cause you to turn and say "Oh!  Whats that!?"
It's creativity blended with GREAT writing, and musicianship that's ventured far beyond talent.  These folks have sharpened whatever talent they were blessed with in to true skill.  My friends, if you have not yet dipped your ears in to the sounds of Snarky Puppy you simply NEED to take a coffee break and dive on in.

Here's "Free Your Dreams", featuring Chantae Cann.

So You Like Jazz?

My good friend Richard Page and I decided to throw down one of our favorite Sinatra standards.  Here's our rendition of "Fly Me To The Moon".
Just a little teaser, I think Richard and I are toying with the idea of doing some more tunes together.

Throwback Thursday: The O.C. Supertones

I was one of those kids who listened to things that most other kids my age didn't really dig all that much.  I remember bringing a Clark Terry record in to a jazz band rehearsal in middle school, so excited to share his "mumbles" style of scat with everyone.  When they heard it, I felt like I was being stared down by a Muppet.

 

While my band mates didnt get it, I still knew in my gut that I was falling more and more in love with Jazz.  As I continued my ravenous hunt for more musical deliciousness, I was introduced to a sound that combined some interesting things.  An old buddy of mine described it as Reggae being smashed together with Rock, and Funk.  He called it "Ska".  When I heard that, I'm sure I looked similar to a skeptical dog that was just invited to eat the left overs off your plate.

 

Needless to say, I had to listen, and when I did, my face about melted off from all the joy that was blasting my ears.

So here's to you O.C. Supertones.  I'm sad you guys aren't doing much these days but I've LOVED the incredible music you've given all of us. 

Here's my favorite album:

Rubber Ducks & Jazz

There are few musicians that I can say truly effect the heart of me.  As a musician myself, a student of jazz, there are only a handful that truly shaped my sound.  I've listened to, and loved, countless artists over the years but rarely have come across one who reached out with their sound to capture my heart.  Clark Terry is a very special man to me.  No, I never knew him personally.  I never even had the privilege of hearing him perform live but his music did profoundly impact and change me.

When I was much younger, probably 13 or 14 years old, my family and I ventured out in to the wilds of the annual Evergreen State Fair, which took place not to far from our home.  Being the 'grown up' that I was, I begged mom and dad to let me venture off and explore for a bit.  Mostly, I'm pretty sure my hormones were running rampant and I was looking for the cute ladies I went to school with, who also lived nearby.  As I continued to explore the cigarette and fast food perfumed fair grounds, I happened to spot the girl who I had a massive crush on at the time.  She was standing near one of those games where you toss a ball at a rubber ducky, or something, and win a prize.  In this case the prizes were CD's.

"Zach, you need a new CD for your vast collection of musical goodness." I thought to myself as I headed towards the, clearly rigged, game.  I paid the $2 it cost to play and began my first attempt, you got 3, obviously showing off my extreme manliness and dexterity.  After failing my first 2 tries, palms sweaty, I prepared for my last bid at winning her heart... I mean, the game.

I wound up for the throw, carefully aimed for the rubber ducky with the green hat, which would obviously earn me the most points, and launched that little plastic projectile at the poor, unsuspecting, inanimate, rubber duck.

Now what were the words I used exactly?  Oh... Right.  "NAILED IT!"
I quickly glanced around for the girl, who had been watching, only to find that she'd lost interest in my gladiatorial battle with the floating yellow menace and gone to get a scone, or something.

Being that I was a young student of jazz I thought it a good idea to further educate myself by choosing two records of that genre.  One of those was a Clark Terry album, which I quickly fell in love with.  Now, the vastness of my own personal CD collection at the time was sitting in the palm of my hand.  When I put on that Clark Terry record my growing love for Jazz exploded in my chest.  It's been said that his sound was the happiest in the genre and it became very clear to me that this sentiment is absolutely true.  His music literally inspired me to begin consuming as much jazz music as I possibly could.

On Saturday, Clark Terry passed away.  The world has lost an incredible gift in this man.  He has left behind an incredible legacy.

Thank you Clark for inspiring me to not only listen, but learn about the incredible art of Jazz.  You have forever imprinted my heart and mind with your joy, and music.

Here is a fantastic performance from Mr. Clark Terry:

February 27th Will be Soulful

The Daily Tune: NYC

Today's tune is brought to you by yours truly.

This is a little ditty I wrote years ago after an amazing trip to New York City for the IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators) Conference.
While I was there, I instantly fell in love with the incredible city and all the history and culture it's literally jam packed full of.
After a good 48 hours of no sleep, I finally brought all engines to full stop, only to start feeling the creative itch kick in.  So with my feet kicked up in the window of our hotel, near Times Square, I put pen to paper an crafted this song.

This is a very special tune to me and pays homage to one of the greatest songwriters who's ever graced a stage anywhere.  Billy Joel.
While the song itself sounds nothing like his mega hit, you will catch a little snip of my 'ode to Joel' in the chorus.

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The Daily Tune: Ridiculous Deliciousness. It's Dirty loops.

In past posts I may have mentioned Dirty Loops and all their ridiculousness, but I just had to do it again because they are deliciously ridiculous.  With a lead vocalist who not only smokes the keys like a cuban, but also pulls out vocals reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, a bass player who looks like he should be playing angry punk rock but throws down some of the most incredible bassiness you'll ever hear, and a drummer that can literally play anything, in any time signature, probably hanging upside down or floating in space.  These guys will melt your face off with their brand of Fusion.

The fact that they've covered such a great song makes this even better.  

Dig in kids!

The Daily Tune #1: Hit Me by Dirty Loops

Welcome to the first post of a little segment I call 'The Daily Tune'.  To bundle it all in a little nutshell, I love music of all colors, and shades, flavors, and temperatures.  There is a HUGE, virtually limitless, library of music just waiting to be discovered and/or celebrated.  I'll occasionally share some of my own tunes here but want to showcase some of what I find for your listening pleasure.

One of the most amazing Jazz Fusion groups I've ever heard, Dirty Loops not only has some incredible original material but takes some of today's best top 40 hits and blazes through them with a fiery deliciousness that literally makes you love the song even more than the original version.

Today's song is titled "Hit Me" and is one of the groups original tunes.

What if you experienced the music you listen to?

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I am a firm believer in the power of music. I know that "the power of music" is a phrase that nearly everyone, musician and non alike, is familiar with.  But what happens when the emotion collides with the spirit?  What happens when the feelings that song stirs up meets the one who created you? My desire in writing this song was that it would be an atmosphere altering sound.  That the listener could sit back and simply soak.  
My prayer for you is that you would not just listen and enjoy What You Do To My Heart, but that you would listen and engage the one I wrote this for.  Worship was designed by God for God and is meant to be an experience.  Engage when you listen!

One of the Best in Acapella

I love going hunting.  It's a thrill I will never get tired of.
While I don't actually shoot anything, I do click all over the place and what I discover is some of the best sounds that have ever graced my ears.

The group I'm sharing with you today is a conglomerate of 6 guys from 6 different countries.  They all share a HUGE passion for tight vocal harmony and, without telling their whole story, started the AMAZING group, Accent.

If you do not stop to listen to them, you should be slapped in the mouth repeatedly with an angry porcupine.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbmnbSnH3wQmuUPZSxtCovg?spfreload=1

Henry Butler & Steve Bernstein - Dixie Walker

If you love jazz as much as I do, you will find this to be absolutely delicious.

My Most Popular Youtube Video: Vocal Improv (Scat)

When I did this video I didn't really think much of it.  I was bored and hanging out at my parents place one weekend and decided to do a little scat solo in the kitchen.

Though I may not have been putting much thought in to it at the time, vocal improv is something I truly love and appreciate.  If you are an aspiring Jazz vocalist the key to learning how to scat is listening to other artists who already do it well.  Listen to their stuff like crazy and mimic what they do.  I used to drive nearly 2 hours to class every day during college and would spend a good chunk of that time with a CD of just a rhythm section playing changes and scat over the top.  You'll feel kinda weird for a while, but you'll get the hang of it.

Acapella is my heart

I was raised in a home where music was held at very high value.  My dad has experience running sound and developed a rather large and eclectic mix of everything from Boston, to Hank Williams, to Steely Dan, to Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass.  I don't think it's ever been possible to nail down my dads favorite because he has WAY to many!
My mom got me hooked, and I mean HOOKED, addicted, completely head over heals in love with Jazz.  She got me started with groups like Manhattan Transfer, and Take Six, and I gradually dipped in to the seemingly bottomless well of big bands.  Pretty soon my disc man (yes, I still remember the old thing.  Used to skip if you looked at it wrong) was spinning CD's packed with music from the Count Basie Orchestra, Harry Connick Jr, John Pizzarelli, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, and countless others.  But, while I loved and absolutely craved that stuff, there was just something about the human voice and the things it could do that pulled me in more than anything else.
I found myself soaking in and mimicking artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Kurt Elling, and Mark Murphy.  Soaking in and listening to every inflection, every consonant, every quote in every shade of any color they chose.  Then I dove in to the incredible, and masterful stylings of Bobby McFerrin.  He used his voice in ways I had never heard before and had explored the farthest reaches of his instrument.  He had gained an understanding of how the human voice could be manipulated, stretched, shaped, colored, painted, and however else you want to describe it.  McFerrin is simply one of the most, if not the most, gifted and skilled artists on the planet.  And don't argue with me because I'll just slap you in the mouth with my old disk man.

With all of that said,
The human voice, Acapella music, anything that truly showcases what the vocal chords can do.  THAT is what truly excites me.
So here's a little song I wrote... (Pun completely intended.)

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Groove For Thought Welcomes Zach For Another Jam

Yep. Got to sing with these guys AGAIN. I think like 3 times in the same night.  SO awesome. You should have been there to feel the awesome.



Gotta Lotta Lemons from Zach Trandum Music on Myspace.

Zach Trandum sings with Groove For Thought

I have been SO blessed to have shared the stage with my friends in Groove For Thought. These guys can SANG. Here's a little video of me performing a vocal improv solo with the group.
Zach Trandum and Groove For Though from Zach Trandum Music on Myspace.

My Funny Valentine featuring Edan Dover

Back in 2009 Sweatshop Studios snagged me and flew me out to their AMAZING facility in Katonah New York.  Seriously folks, this place is GORGEOUS.  I had been a part of the Facebook Idol competition they hosted and, while I was not the official winner, Sweatshop liked my music enough to pursue making some more of it and thus the adventure began (I've included an extra video below the first one.  Its an excerpt from my 'Zach Trandum Takes New York' DVD. Watch it to learn more about the trip!)
After a long day in studio, we skittered down (skittered!?) to the Sinsin Leopard Lounge in Eastside New York City and played an amazing show for an incredible and loving crowd.  Edan was kind enough to join me on stage for a couple songs, one of those being a great old jazz standard. Enjoy!

Afternoon Jazz Break

I was raised on jazz.  Mom is as much of an addict to the music as I am and exposed me to many of the artists I now consider to be favorites.  Well here is a little homage to one you all should know, and if you don't you should be forced to wear Lady Gaga's meat dress.... Or you could just go listen to him... The meat dress idea sounds more interesting though.

Here is a litte Frank Sinatra for your listening pleasure. The AMAZING guitar player featured in this video is my good friend Richard Page. The kids got chops!