Yes, I have a blog and I will update as often as there is something on my mind to write about. Let me know if there is a topic you'd like to see me address or if you have any questions for me, click on the "e-mail" icon above and I'll post the information for you (saxophone and/or music related, of course!!).
YAMAHA SAXOPHONES and YAMAHA CANADA
I'm very happy to have been welcomed into the Yamaha organization and
to be playing their new "82Z" design saxophone. This horn is truly the
best Yamaha design I have ever played and one of the top professional
horns on the market.......check it out.
PRIMETIME
BIG BAND
Please stop by and check out the homepage of Calgary's premier big band
orchestra and jazz ensemble. This group has over 500 charts in it's
library ranging from the hits of the "Swing Era" to modern compositions
by the top contemporary jazz composers. It's a pleasure to play and
"hang" with such a great bunch of musicians every week.
VERISMO
This is the website for the jazz
quintet "VERISMO", a collaboration between myself and saxophonist Jeremy
Brown. Verismo was formed as a vehicle to write, record, and perform
original material. Now going into it's 5th year, this group has it's
first CD recording (self titled). This group has become such a great
vehicle for composition and performing, and it gives all of us a chance
to push ourselves musically without alienating our audience in the process.
The other members of this group are Derek Stoll on keyboards, John Hyde
on bass, and John deWaal on drums. Please stop by and see what we're
up to.
"SR TECHNOLOGIES"
SAX MOUTHPIECES
I'm a "newfound" believer in these mouthpieces. The SR Technologies
"Fusion 115" mouthpiece I use on tenor is one of the most
"free blowing" that I have ever tried. I thought I was going to be playing
my Phil Barone tenor mouthpiece for a long time, but "SR"
has swayed me and I am pleasently surprised. Highly recommended!!
HOME PAGE OF PAUL
WERTICO
Chicago based drummer/percussionist Paul Wertico (from the Pat Metheny
Group....1983-2001) is a featured guest drummer on the CD: La Zona
Blanca and is a real treat to work with as well as being a real
class act. La Zona Blanca was the first time I had the pleasure
of working with him and I hope it won't be the last. Paul has a very
complete homepage on which you will find his concert listings, biography,
discography, equipment he uses and endorses, interviews etc.
HOME PAGE OF BOBBY
SHEW
Los Angeles based trumpet/flugelhornist Bobby Shew is a featured guest
on the CD: La Zona Blanca. Bobby Shew is a "world class" artist
and person, and is very devoted to jazz education throughout the world.
Bobby's page contains much information about him including: tour schedule,
biography, discography, sound bytes, press clippings etc.
KIRK MACDONALD'S
HOMEPAGE
This is the homepage of Toronto tenor saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, one
of Canada's premier jazz artists, 1999 "Juno Award" winner,
and someone who I was also fortunate enough to have been able to include
on my CD along with Bobby Shew and Paul Wertico. Kirk's site has a whole
bunch of information about him and what he's up to. This guy is definitely
worth checking out.
PETER ERSKINE'S
HOMEPAGE
Another one of my favorite contemporary drummers on the scene. This
guy is serious!! Peter has played with everyone (just about) and continues
to be the driving force behind many groups and projects. He's a great
person and just a "ridiculous" musician (and he writes too!!). His website
has plenty of information about him and what he's up to......stop by
and check it out.
BOB MINTZER'S
HOMEPAGE
One of my favorite contemporary tenor sax players from New York. This
guy is a tremendous artist and musician and Grammy Award winner......a
"must" to check out, as a soloist or with "The Yellowjackets".
He's a great person to hang with and a treat to listen to everytime!!
BOB SHEPPARD'S
HOMEPAGE
If you're looking to check out any heavy "west coast" saxophonists,
it would be a big mistake to not check out Bob Sheppard. If he's not
on the road with Natalie Cole or Steeley Dan or who
knows who else, he's got his own thing going.....and it's VERY cool.
This guy can PLAY!!
MICHAEL BRECKER'S
HOMEPAGE
Unfortunately, we lost Michael in early 2007 which is a huge blow to
the contemporary jazz scene. Honestly, you CAN'T talk about "contemporary
tenor players" and not mention this guy's name. Michael had played with
almost everyone.....think I'm wrong? Check out the size of his "discography"
on this site!! Rest in peace, Mike.
GEORGE ROBERT'S
HOMEPAGE
I'm VERY fortunate to say that George has been a dear friend for a number
of years and a former teacher of mine (when we could get time!!). George
is originally from Geneva, Switzerland and is a former student of Phil
Woods and Bob Mintzer, and has toured all over the world with artists
such as trumpeters Tom Harrell and Clark Terry, as well as Phil Woods
and pianist Kenny Barron. Over and above the fact that this guy "can
play his ass off", you won't find a finer human being walking this earth.
George is presently the director of the "Swiss Jazz School" in Bern,
Switzerland. This guy can play!!
DAVE SCHUMACHER'S HOMEPAGE
Check out Dave Schumacher's homepage......this
guy's a fantastic musician and a heck of bari sax player. Dave's a regular
with Harry Connick's Big Band, "Vice-President" of Amosaya
Records, and is doing a whole bunch of other stuff on the New York
scene.......stop by and take a look.
JEFF JARVIS'
HOMEPAGE
This is the homepage of trumpeter Jeff Jarvis.
On top of being an "in demand" musician, performer, and educator, Jeff
is "Director of Jazz Studies" at California State University Long Beach,
the CEO of, and a "staff writer" for, Kendor Music Publications
as well as an "Artist/Clinician" for the Yamaha Musical Instrument
Company. Jeff is a cool human-being, and a sincere pleasure to
hang with and to listen to.
REVIEW
- LA ZONA BLANCA
Here you will find a review of La Zona Blanca on the jazz website
"Jazz Review"......a fully loaded jazz website based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
U.S.A. .
BEATNIQ JAZZ & SOCIAL
CLUB
When in the Calgary area, come down to the Beatniq Jazz & Social
Club and hang out. The owner....aka "Rob Young", is a super guy
(go figure....a club owner who's a nice guy....hmmmm....wow!), the food
is fantastic, and there's live jazz. What in the hell more do ya need?!!
Drop by......you'll dig it.
CALGARY MUSIC PAGES
If you're looking for information about the music scene in the Calgary
area, check out this page. Here you will find information about musicians,
venues, media etc. There's plenty of information to be found at this
site, so stop by and take a look around.
THE CALGARY JAZZ
ASSOCIATION
Looking for "jazz" happenings in Calgary? Check out the "Calgary
Jazz Association" (CJazz) website.....they will likely have what
you're looking for.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
FOR JAZZ EDUCATION
Check out the homepage of the largest jazz education organization in
the world. If you are interested in jazz education or just jazz in general,
go to this website and see what's going on here. The annual IAJE conference
is a "must-see" event for anyone who enjoys jazz and jazz-related music......it's
REALLY something!!!
IAJE CANADA WEBPAGE
Here you will find the Canadian division of the "International Association
for Jazz Education". This is a great site for finding information
about jazz in Canada, links to jazz festivals, musician's sites etc.
etc. Stop by and check it out.
SAXOPHONE
DAY GREETING CARDS, E-CARDS FROM 1-2-3GREETINGS.COM
I bet you didn't know there was a "Saxophone Day" did you??
Don't forget to stop by and send your favorite sax player your regards!!
SHEET
MUSIC PLUS
If you are looking for sheet music, songbooks, method books,
guitar tabs, transcription books etc. etc. etc. check out Sheet
Music Plus. I don't think you'll find a larger source of music
online or offline. They have enough titles at this website to sink a
ship (about 300,000 or more) so check them out, they likely have something
that you are looking for.
TEACHLIST.COM
Looking for a music teacher in your area?? Check out this website...they
just might have who you're looking for.
Other "Calgary Musician"
websites to check out:
The Polyjesters
Don Somerville
Tyler Hornby
Colors Of Mime
Kristian Alexandrov
David Thiaw
Allistair Elliott
Oliver Miguel
Shannon Gaye
Tom Jackson
Aaron Leaney
The Heebeejeebees
Cindy McLeod's "Jazzelements.com"
Site (Jazz and Blues News)
Greg Bush (Now living in Nanaimo,
B.C.)
Don Glasrud (Now
living in Kimberley, B.C.)
Dave Camwell (Now living in Indianola,
Iowa)