Showing posts with label Kurt Elling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kurt Elling. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
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.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
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.)
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.)
Friday, November 28, 2014
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!
Vocal Improv (Scat)
Alright folks. I. Love. Scat. I LOVE IT.
If you aren't quite sure what 'scat' is exactly, let me give you a quick run down.
In jazz, scat is basically improvising the way a musical instrument, like a sax or trumpet, would but using your voice. Some artists will actually mimic the sound of the instrument they are thinking of at the time.
When I heard scat for the first time I fell in love with it and now find myself wandering around the house scoodle-dee-doot'n various lines and phrases. I include it in a lot of my writing as well.
Anywho,
Heres a little improv solo I did in the kitchen at my parents old house.
(If you'd like to check out a few amazing artists, I recommend listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Kevin Mahogany, and Kurt Elling to start)
If you aren't quite sure what 'scat' is exactly, let me give you a quick run down.
In jazz, scat is basically improvising the way a musical instrument, like a sax or trumpet, would but using your voice. Some artists will actually mimic the sound of the instrument they are thinking of at the time.
When I heard scat for the first time I fell in love with it and now find myself wandering around the house scoodle-dee-doot'n various lines and phrases. I include it in a lot of my writing as well.
Anywho,
Heres a little improv solo I did in the kitchen at my parents old house.
(If you'd like to check out a few amazing artists, I recommend listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Kevin Mahogany, and Kurt Elling to start)
Saturday, July 27, 2013
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