Playing Cherokee with the PINK PANTHER Sax Man! 

Plas Johnson is a famous recording saxophonist, recognized as the horn behind the Theme of The Pink Panther. Early 2013, I flew to Los Angeles after my band mate and mentor Jackie Kelso (Wrecking Crew Saxophonist)  to visit at Plas…

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Jazz: What Does It Mean Today?

  What is the health of Jazz Music today?  There is certainly a lot of Jazz Education.  But where is the Jazz?  Music should not be an art where MORE MEANS BETTER, music should be about what it gives back to… Read more
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Randy Brecker Interview

 

 

I've known Randy for many years, and he's not only a great musician, but also a beautiful person, that really exudes genuine care for all the folks he meets.  We had a lot of fun and some real moments.  Hope…

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Playing with Chico O'Farrill in the Documentary "Calle 54"

 

 

I'm fortunate to been involved in "Calle 54". It's an incredible documentary film by Fernando Trueba, and I am playing in the film behind some dark sunglasses with The Chico O'Farrill Orchestra.

"CALLE 54....stands with The Buena Vista Social Club

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How David Sanborn Changed My Life

In 1977, I went to see one of my music heroes, David Sanborn at the Leona Theatre in Pittsburgh. It was a packed house, Dave was at his peak, with his regular band featuring his guitar comrade the late and…

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What I Learned From The Count Basie Orchestra

The New Testament Basie Band had "swagger'.   They had a walk, and the talk,  they had the groove of life. They knew they could play, and were at the top of the heap.  And the man who guided that and…

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Music and The Human Brain

We lost Barry Harris just recently, he lived a rich and full life of dignity, a true Jazz Warrior.  I always noticed that Barry sung things to his students.  I just had a long talk with Dr. Nelson Harrison and…

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"The Big Birdie" Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker!  The Mozart of Jazz.  To learn Jazz you have to go through Charles Parker.  

I studied Mr. Parker by listening and transcribing his solos, and reading books about him. Charlie Parker is the most important musician…

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How Do Ya Practice Jazz? Or Music?

I was doing a Zoom lesson with a student about playing over There Will Never Be Another You. I was teaching the idea of playing a simple phrase, then running the Licks he had been shedding. Simple. Then Practice. Simple…

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Review of the Buffet Senzo Alto Saxophone

I had the privilege of going to the Buffet Showroom New York City, in 2015 and play testing the new alto, and taking it home for two weeks.   I really enjoyed this alto.  It has a dark sound, reminds me…

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Club Basie Japan

Basie!  There's a Jazz Club in Japan called Club Basie, Count Basie himself was there every year, and I visited the club while on tour with Basie there almost every year.  A jazz promoter, who got his nickname from The…

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Cannonball- Giants Who Visit

So much debate about who is best in jazz. It’s not a sport. But there are some Gifted ones who bring a message. They usually don’t stay long.  Armed with technique and substance, soul and swing, they say, “I can’t…

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Count Basie A Very Swingin' Christmas Review by Bill Brownlee

A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas! (Concord Records) 

Founded in Kansas City in 1935, the Count Basie Orchestra celebrates its 80th anniversary with the release of its first Christmas album. With delightful assists from guests including the Christmas mainstay Johnny Mathis…

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Tim Price blogging for D'Addario Woodwinds

This weeks blog features a player whom I respect highly- Marshall McDonald. This is a player who I would call a master artist who's woodwind and saxophone playing, history speak for themselves. Face it, the street cred Marshall has is…

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Pure Clarinet Sound JAZZBLUESNEWS

31.08. – Happy Birthday !!! Whether you heard him playing Lead alto during his 18 year tenure with The Count Basie Orchestra, or playing tenor saxophone with Paquito D’Rivera or baritone saxophone with Abdullah Ibrahim or clarinet solos with The…

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