I found out a few days ago that Terence Blanchard’s new album Flow is due for release on June 7th. It was produced by Herbie Hancock and includes the most of the personnel from Bounce. I’m really looking forward to it.  From poking around I see that this album will include vocals from Gretchen Parlato and the use of synthesizer programming on trumpet.  Brice Winston will be doing also do some EVI playing.  The really good news? Terence will be playing Blues Alley June 10-12th. It may be expensive but I plan to be at all three shows. There is no such thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to music.

Up till now I have spent much of my improv practice on Bb blues but I think I will start to expand my practice to include G blues.  I am still trying to focus on addressing the changes and the best way to do this is with chord tone solos.  I am starting to hear a bit more and I think I do a better job of sticking to form and adding a dash of the blues scale.  It still isn’t natural for me and I have to keep my ideas simple.  I’m sure that improve with time.

Jeff Antoniuk (my master class teacher) is offering a camp for adults this summer and I’m planning on attending.  I had thought of attending the Aebersold camp but would rather invest my money in something local.  We don’t have enough opportunities like this in the area and I feel an obligation to support it and Jeff.  I’m looking forward to leaving the basement and Aebersold CDs for a chance to play with living breathing musicians again.  I miss it terribly.

I made a few subtle updates to the content of the site.  I added a few lines to the About Me section, updated the recording equipment used on the Soundroom page and removed the older Blue Monk recordings.  I also removed some of the specific review information from the Equipment page.

I have referenced this site in the past and must do it again.  There is some real good thoughts here with regard to ear training to learn to play jazz.  At the same time I must also mention Eddie Lewis’ thoughts on the same subject.  I think it is safe to say that there must be a balance between ear, theory, transposition and licks in all keys in order to master and learn this music.  Focus on one and not the others would not be a wise choice.

I’ve certainly got my hands full.  Thank goodness I love trumpet and music so much.