hairylarry

Hairy Larry Blogs On write.as

write.as provides a clean environment for writing text posts. I discover that it also handles links without markup and iframe embeds (youtube, archive.org, etc.).

I use the write.as RSS feed to automatically list my posts on Delta Boogie.

http://deltaboogie.com

Scroll down below the buttons to see the listing. I am thinking about redoing the front page to move the links to the write.as posts to the top next to the Delta Boogie Radio player.

Here's the link to my write.as blog.

https://write.as/hairylarry/

And here's the RSS feed.

https://write.as/hairylarry/feed/

All of my posts are CC-BY even though I don't tag each post like I should.

All my posts are CC-BY

Hey, I know I should tag every post but life is too short. One of the things I love about write.as is type and post so I can't really be adding a lot more to the job.

Still ...

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Alex Hahn Masterclass

Alex gave a really good class. He asked us to take notes. Here they are.

Steps to a music career. (most of these apply to any pursuit)

1. Time Management
2. Listen to a diverse selection of music.
3. Stay positive – breathing exercises and meditation help
4. Stay focused – stay driven always playing, playing, playing – work on one thing when you practice
5. Make yourself marketable – Again diversity, play multiple instruments, learn to compose, arrange, teach – how can I make money? – as a student audition for workshops, music programs, Disney
6. Play with as many different people as possible.
7. Follow up – get back – stay in touch – persistence works
8. Be prepared – you have to do good to be hired back
9. Save 5% or 10% of every gig.
10. Set goals – break goals into steps – is this goal possible – how can I track progress?

Alex asked us all to write down some goals.

My goals Composition recital Play more gigs

Alex's goals Be patient Practice ½ hour every day Get nominated for a Grammy

Alex's listening

Brian Blade and The Fellowship Kamasi Washington Brad Mehldau esp. Highway Rider

saxophones Chris Potter, Michael Brecker, Cannonball Adderly, Kenny Garrett, Sonny Rollins

trumpet Ambrose Akinmusire

I don't remember all of his recommendations. Maybe he'll get back with me and fill in the blanks. (he did)

I asked if Ambrose Akinmusire inspired him to write for strings. He said not really and named a couple of jazz string arrangers that inspired him. I'll try to get those names too.

He got back with me.

Kamasi Washington – The Epic / Truth / Heaven & Earth Snarky Puppy with the Metropole Orchestra

Alex also played a couple of pieces solo. He was engaging and entertaining and obviously has a thing for teaching.

Alex Hahn

Alex Hahn was the guest saxophonist at the jazz concert last night. Not only did he play great; from the audience it was obvious he had a tight rapport with the band. Considering that he had just met them the night before at rehearsal this is pretty amazing.

From his website

Alex Hahn is a multi-award winning saxophonist and composer based in Los Angeles, California. Still early in his career, Hahn has had the opportunity to perform with many renowned artists such as Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, John Clayton, Russell Ferrante, and John Daversa. He also recorded on Michael Bublé’s latest album, “Nobody but Me.” In addition, Hahn has performed and taught all over the world including the Panama Jazz Festival, Sitka Jazz Festival, and at International Jazz Day in Havana, Cuba and St. Petersburg, Russia.

– http://www.alexhahnmusic.com/bio/

Here's his song “Psychedelic Sun” from his new album, “Emerging”.

If you get a chance to see him live, and you will, don't miss it. He's a fantastic high energy performer and he's got the chops.

ASU Jazz Concert Tonight – November 15, 2018

The ASU jazz bands will be performing at the Fowler Center tonight at 7:30. Big bands and small groups will play. Guest star Alex Hahn will be featured on saxophone.

http://www.alexhahnmusic.com/

This is going to be a fantastic show. It is free and open to the public.

Thursday, November 15:Jazz Bands Concert with Guest Artist, Alex Hahn, saxophone 7:30 PM – Fowler Center – RECITAL CREDIT

• http://www.astate.edu/college/liberal-arts/departments/music/

New Jazz In Jonesboro on November 10, 2018

It was a great night for jazz in the Round Room at the Jonesboro Public Library.

Bebop Beatniks kicked things off with four new songs. Then Cody Ballard joined the group to play “Lady Bird” and “Stella By Starlight”.

After a break NJHB took the stage for their unique take on contemporary jazz.

Featuring horn players: Gabe Waters – bass clarinet Tyler Remagen – tenor sax Jon Vickers – alto sax Cody Ballard – tenor sax

And the rhythm section: Spencer Rawlins – bass Alex Washam – drums Hairy Larry – piano

Having an appreciative audience didn't hurt at all. Thanks to the public library for making this space available for New Jazz In Jonesboro.

Photos by Vivian Heyl – http://deltaboogie.com/new_jazz_in_jonesboro2018-11-10/

New Jazz In Jonesboro – Saturday, November 10 at 7:00 pm

Tonight at the Jonesboro Public Library Round Room featuring Bebop Beatniks and NJHB. This concert is free and open to the public. Please use the outside entrance to the Round Room.

Bebop Beatniks plays standards and originals. We will be kicking our show tonight with four originals with a blues feel. Then we will invite guests to play standards with us.

http://bebopbeatniks.com

NJHB is a high energy progressive jazz band that plays all originals. We are the New Jazz House Band and we welcome guest performers and composers.

http://njhb.org

This is the third and final New Jazz In Jonesboro concert this term. NJHB plays every month. I want to thank the library and the musicians for making this happen. Also a special shout out to our other featured bands, The Joseph Curtis Band and Common Time.

We will be back next term for shows in February, March, and April. If you have a jazz band that would like to perform at New Jazz In Jonesboro contact Hairy Larry, hairylarry@deltaboogie.com.

Bebop Beatniks will be giving away free copies of their new “Leaves” CD. Coffee and cookies will be served.

New Jazz in Jonesboro

Saturday, November 30 – 7:00 pm in the round room at the Jonesboro Public Library. Please use the outside entrance.

Cluster Funk NJHB

Everyone is welcome to play with NJHB. Free and open to the public. Bring your friends.

Coffee and Cookies.

Thanks

Baby Boy

Today was my youngest grandson's first birthday party. Always great to get together with family and friends for a big celebration.

And of all the birthdays we celebrate it's that first birthday that means the most to me. It's kind of a line between being a baby and being a self motivated individual. Such an important time of life.

The video above is a song I wrote, “Baby Boy”, from the “For My Dad” CD.

http://hairylarryland.com/index.php#hll-1006

Two Rehearsals

On Monday we had a rhythm section rehearsal on “Marx Brothers Suite”. There are four pieces in the suite, in different keys and at different tempos, with written transitions. So each transition had to be worked out and practiced. The four pieces are “Chico's Piano”, Harpo's Horn”, “Zeppo And Gummo”, and “Groucho's Cigar”. Two of them have already been recorded and released. Here's links in case you want to listen.

Hairy Larry – Bop Soup – Harpo's Horn https://archive.org/details/hl2013-11-08

BebopBeatniks – Leaves – Groucho's Cigar https://archive.org/details/BebopBeatniks-Leaves

The other two songs are slower, so the suite is slow, fast, slow, fast. I'm really looking forward to getting this performed.

On Tuesday we rehearsed “Elphonium”, jazz, multimedia, and spoken word. The story, “Elphonium” was inspired by the artwork, “Elphonium”, from deviantart, which I use with permission.

https://sffshortstories.com/?x=entry:entry170714-062937

I am also using fantasy art by Arthur Rackham drawn in the early 1900s, now in the public domain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Rackham

I picked pieces to fit the story. Vivian and I cut all non essential verbiage to make it short enough to fit in the song.

At rehearsal we decided on a strategy in case the written word part runs over it's allotted space. We had to do this because the piece sounded better at a slightly faster tempo leaving a little less space for the reading.

I recorded it on my phone because I wanted to hear the marimbas and vibraphone, two instruments that are very difficult to synthesize. So I'm really happy with that and I think we only need one more rehearsal before we perform it.

The recital is planned for Friday, November 16, the last day before Thanksgiving break. Besides these two pieces we will also have songs played by the Jazz Recital Band and the 11:00 Small Group.