You can see the entire set of color and b&w photos at Pete's Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shinyobject/collections/72157601590760651/
Here are a few shots I like from the session:
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Photos from the August 11th recording session
My friend Peter Uchytil is a terrific photographer. I invited him to take some shots at our recent recording session at East2West Studios in Clackamas.
You can see the entire set of color and b&w photos at Pete's Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shinyobject/collections/72157601590760651/
Here are a few shots I like from the session:
You can see the entire set of color and b&w photos at Pete's Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shinyobject/collections/72157601590760651/
Here are a few shots I like from the session:
Friday, June 01, 2007
R.I.P. Gerard Lock
We lost another member of the Portland jazz community last month. Gerard "Gerry" Lock, a very talented young bassist, was found dead in his apartment. This was totally unexpected and a shock to all who knew and made music with him.
Gerry played with a local group called the Groove Collective, and was a frequent performer at local jams. Last night, a number of his friends and colleagues raised a glass and played some music in his memory at the regular Thursday night jazz jam at Proper Eats in St. Johns. It was a very sweet evening. I got to sit in and play Gerry's 6-string bass for a few numbers, and I spent some time talking to Gerry's uncle, who had flown in.
I first heard Gerry at one of the jam sessions sponsored by Portland Jazz Jams at the Fireside Coffee Lodge a couple of years ago. I was impressed by his pocket playing and his soloing when he sat in. Many bassists fall back on clichéd licks and phrases when soloing, and I sometimes play a little game of humming their solos along with them. Not so with Gerry. His solos were always fresh and inventive. One of the imperatives for any jazz musician is to develop a distinctive personal "voice," and to my ears, Gerry was well on his way to achieving that.
Bassists are an interesting lot. Who chooses this instrument as the vessel for their creative urge? Certainly the upright bass is an unlikely choice for a youngster selecting an instrument -- it's big and unwieldy, with thick strings that will raise blisters on your hands should you try to coax more than a few notes out of it. There's no place to put it in the house where it's not an obstacle to navigation or -- for those with pets -- a magnet for urination. At least you can tuck a bass guitar into a closet.
While I'm not big on sports metaphors, I have heard it said that the bass player is like the third-baseman of jazz. Nobody pays a heck of a lot of attention to you -- unless you're not there. One advantage of playing the bass is that every band needs a bassist (I don't want any emails from B3 players, OK? I know you can do without us), but the disadvantage is that most bands don't need more than one. This means that we dig each other's work from a distance. At a jam session, we sit in one at a time. We never get the experience that horn players and guitarists get -- of jamming with someone else who plays your same instrument. When we tell non-musicians that we play the bass, often they have no clue what that means. Most of us have had the experience of playing a recording and explaining to our spouse or lover, "Now that part there -- doom, da-doom-doom, doom -- that's the bass. That's what I do." I think there is a kind of a bond, perhaps a brotherhood, that bassists feel for each other. We'll never be in a band together or even play music together, but we just kind understand.
We lost Gerry too early; he was in his 30s, I think. Like so many bassists, he left before the third set. I think of Scott LaFaro, Jimmie Blanton, Jaco, Mingus. Gerry joins them now, but he'll just have to wait for his turn to sit in.
Gerry played with a local group called the Groove Collective, and was a frequent performer at local jams. Last night, a number of his friends and colleagues raised a glass and played some music in his memory at the regular Thursday night jazz jam at Proper Eats in St. Johns. It was a very sweet evening. I got to sit in and play Gerry's 6-string bass for a few numbers, and I spent some time talking to Gerry's uncle, who had flown in.
I first heard Gerry at one of the jam sessions sponsored by Portland Jazz Jams at the Fireside Coffee Lodge a couple of years ago. I was impressed by his pocket playing and his soloing when he sat in. Many bassists fall back on clichéd licks and phrases when soloing, and I sometimes play a little game of humming their solos along with them. Not so with Gerry. His solos were always fresh and inventive. One of the imperatives for any jazz musician is to develop a distinctive personal "voice," and to my ears, Gerry was well on his way to achieving that.
Bassists are an interesting lot. Who chooses this instrument as the vessel for their creative urge? Certainly the upright bass is an unlikely choice for a youngster selecting an instrument -- it's big and unwieldy, with thick strings that will raise blisters on your hands should you try to coax more than a few notes out of it. There's no place to put it in the house where it's not an obstacle to navigation or -- for those with pets -- a magnet for urination. At least you can tuck a bass guitar into a closet.
While I'm not big on sports metaphors, I have heard it said that the bass player is like the third-baseman of jazz. Nobody pays a heck of a lot of attention to you -- unless you're not there. One advantage of playing the bass is that every band needs a bassist (I don't want any emails from B3 players, OK? I know you can do without us), but the disadvantage is that most bands don't need more than one. This means that we dig each other's work from a distance. At a jam session, we sit in one at a time. We never get the experience that horn players and guitarists get -- of jamming with someone else who plays your same instrument. When we tell non-musicians that we play the bass, often they have no clue what that means. Most of us have had the experience of playing a recording and explaining to our spouse or lover, "Now that part there -- doom, da-doom-doom, doom -- that's the bass. That's what I do." I think there is a kind of a bond, perhaps a brotherhood, that bassists feel for each other. We'll never be in a band together or even play music together, but we just kind understand.
We lost Gerry too early; he was in his 30s, I think. Like so many bassists, he left before the third set. I think of Scott LaFaro, Jimmie Blanton, Jaco, Mingus. Gerry joins them now, but he'll just have to wait for his turn to sit in.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Memories of Greensburg, Kansas
I've been very affected by the recent devastation in Greensburg, Kansas. Although it's been many years since I've lived in Kansas, I felt a kinship with the folks I saw on TV, who had lost so much.
I have a memory of Greensburg that was triggered by this event. In the 60s, when we traveled around the midwest with bands, we'd look for the odd roadside attractions to liven up the trip. Prairie Dog Town, the Big Ball of Twine, and of course The Big Well in Greensburg was a must-stop.
I remember stopping at the Big Well one time on the way back from a gig. We bought some junk in the gift shoppe: The singer bought one of those giant novelty "Texas" cigars that's a foot long and three inches across. One of the other guys bought a rubber snake. Then we just HAD to go down in the well. Yes, you could go down to the bottom on rickety wooden steps.
We got down to the bottom and decided it would be funny to throw the rubber snake into the water. It wasn't as funny as we thought it would be, since it sank instead of floating. Then the singer decided to fire up that huge stogie. Oh, my god, what a stench! It was like burning chicken feathers in a rubber boot. The well filled with thick, acrid smoke and we could hardly see or breathe. We beat it up the stairs as fast as we could, stepping on each other's heels and laughing and choking all the way, but the smoke seemed to follow us up. Then I saw that the singer still had the stogie going! I yelled at him to get rid of it and he reluctantly tossed it into the water.
That rubber snake is probably still down there in the bottom of the well.
Aerial Photos of Greensburg
Greensburg's Website
I have a memory of Greensburg that was triggered by this event. In the 60s, when we traveled around the midwest with bands, we'd look for the odd roadside attractions to liven up the trip. Prairie Dog Town, the Big Ball of Twine, and of course The Big Well in Greensburg was a must-stop.
I remember stopping at the Big Well one time on the way back from a gig. We bought some junk in the gift shoppe: The singer bought one of those giant novelty "Texas" cigars that's a foot long and three inches across. One of the other guys bought a rubber snake. Then we just HAD to go down in the well. Yes, you could go down to the bottom on rickety wooden steps.
We got down to the bottom and decided it would be funny to throw the rubber snake into the water. It wasn't as funny as we thought it would be, since it sank instead of floating. Then the singer decided to fire up that huge stogie. Oh, my god, what a stench! It was like burning chicken feathers in a rubber boot. The well filled with thick, acrid smoke and we could hardly see or breathe. We beat it up the stairs as fast as we could, stepping on each other's heels and laughing and choking all the way, but the smoke seemed to follow us up. Then I saw that the singer still had the stogie going! I yelled at him to get rid of it and he reluctantly tossed it into the water.
That rubber snake is probably still down there in the bottom of the well.
Aerial Photos of Greensburg
Greensburg's Website
Monday, February 05, 2007
LV's Jazz Brunch is no more
All good things must come to an end, it seems, and the management at LV's Uptown has informed Ted Clifford that they are canceling the Sunday Jazz Brunch -- at least the live music part of it. Ted and I have enjoyed this gig very much over the past few months, and LV's management has assured us that this is a business decision and not a reflection on our music.
I am disappointed, of course, but this is how it goes in the music business. We are now free to accept other gigs, and I'll keep you all informed of upcoming appearances.
Thank you for your support, and for supporting live jazz in Portland!
I am disappointed, of course, but this is how it goes in the music business. We are now free to accept other gigs, and I'll keep you all informed of upcoming appearances.
Thank you for your support, and for supporting live jazz in Portland!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
A Musician Story...
St Peter is welcoming new arrivals at the Gate.
A guy walks up and Peter says, "Welcome to Heaven. What did you do for a living on Earth?"
The guy says "I was a carpenter".
"Very good", says St Peter, "Go right on in".
Next guy walks up and Peter says, "Welcome to Heaven. What did you do for a living on Earth?"
The guy says "I was a doctor".
"Excellent", says St Peter, "Go right on in".
Next guy walks up and Peter says, "Welcome to Heaven. What did you do for a living on Earth?"
The guy says "I was a musician".
"Great!", says St Peter, "Just go around the back and you'll see a door next to the dumpster that'll get you through to the kitchen....".
A guy walks up and Peter says, "Welcome to Heaven. What did you do for a living on Earth?"
The guy says "I was a carpenter".
"Very good", says St Peter, "Go right on in".
Next guy walks up and Peter says, "Welcome to Heaven. What did you do for a living on Earth?"
The guy says "I was a doctor".
"Excellent", says St Peter, "Go right on in".
Next guy walks up and Peter says, "Welcome to Heaven. What did you do for a living on Earth?"
The guy says "I was a musician".
"Great!", says St Peter, "Just go around the back and you'll see a door next to the dumpster that'll get you through to the kitchen....".
Monday, December 04, 2006
New CD from Dawayne Bailey
My old friend Dawayne Bailey has a new CD out called Joyland. Dawayne's a fantastic guitarist, and has, over the years, enhanced the bands of Bob Seger, Chicago, Veronique Sanson, and many others. He has also just been named a 2007 inductee into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.I would highly recommend you check Dawayne out, and give his new CD a listen.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Gigs in September
Just a couple of quick notes: I'll be backing up pianist Ted Clifford most Sundays in September at what has become a pretty regular gig for us -- the Jazz Brunch at LV's Uptown. Details HERE. Check my Yahoo Calendar for exact dates.
And, Since I'm on vacation this week, I'll be able to play the role of "house bassist" at the regular Tuesday night jazz jam at Mississippi Pizza on September 5th. These jams draw some of the best players in Portland and are always great fun. You never know who's going to stop by and sit in. Details are HERE.
And, Since I'm on vacation this week, I'll be able to play the role of "house bassist" at the regular Tuesday night jazz jam at Mississippi Pizza on September 5th. These jams draw some of the best players in Portland and are always great fun. You never know who's going to stop by and sit in. Details are HERE.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Is summer over already?
Well, my bursitis ("Bass Player's Elbow?") is finally better, after taking steroids and other anti-flam type meds. It did not affect my playing much, other than not being able to do octave down-slides. It did affect almost everything else I did with my left arm, however, so I'm very glad to be feeling better.
The semi-regular gig I've been playing at LV's Uptown has been going well. It's a very nice room, I get to play in the daytime instead of late at night, and the food is excellent. And the best part is that I get to play with Ted Clifford, who is an excellent jazz pianist. It seems like every week we find new connections through the music, and take new paths through the tunes. For me this is what it's all about.
I'm always learning something new, too. Last week, I discovered a sweet spot on my E string for plucking with my right hand. By plucking with the side of my fingertip, an inch or so closer to the bridge from my usual position near the bass pickup, I get a very upright-like growly tone that works very well on long sustaining notes in ballads. I had been playing near this spot, but I luckily found the exact place last weekend. It will probably change when I change strings, but now I know what I'm looking for and how to find it.
Oh yeah -- the subject line. Summer is almost over, and I'll be glad for the return of the rain. We've had more 90-degree-plus days this year than I can remember since we've been here. I know some people consider hot & sunny to be the perfect weather conditions, but you just can't take that kind of attitude in Oregon. This weekend is going to be 90+ again, and I hope that will be the last of it.
Hey guitarists -- Funtwo is awesome.
And finally, R.I.P Maynard Ferguson.
The semi-regular gig I've been playing at LV's Uptown has been going well. It's a very nice room, I get to play in the daytime instead of late at night, and the food is excellent. And the best part is that I get to play with Ted Clifford, who is an excellent jazz pianist. It seems like every week we find new connections through the music, and take new paths through the tunes. For me this is what it's all about.
I'm always learning something new, too. Last week, I discovered a sweet spot on my E string for plucking with my right hand. By plucking with the side of my fingertip, an inch or so closer to the bridge from my usual position near the bass pickup, I get a very upright-like growly tone that works very well on long sustaining notes in ballads. I had been playing near this spot, but I luckily found the exact place last weekend. It will probably change when I change strings, but now I know what I'm looking for and how to find it.
Oh yeah -- the subject line. Summer is almost over, and I'll be glad for the return of the rain. We've had more 90-degree-plus days this year than I can remember since we've been here. I know some people consider hot & sunny to be the perfect weather conditions, but you just can't take that kind of attitude in Oregon. This weekend is going to be 90+ again, and I hope that will be the last of it.
Hey guitarists -- Funtwo is awesome.
And finally, R.I.P Maynard Ferguson.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Bursitis
OK, I'll admit that I did not really know what bursitis was. That was before I got it in my left elbow. I had noticed a kind of dull pain right behind my elbow joint for a week or so, but hadn't paid much attention to it, but then last Wednesday night it started swelling and hurting like hell. It was even red and hot to the touch. My doctor prescribed some steroid pills, which I did not really want to take, but I went ahead and toke them like a good patient. They do seem to be helping my elbow, but the side effects are horrible. I'm hungry all the time, alternately jittery and mopey, trouble sleeping. I don't think I could endure a long period on steroids.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Ted Clifford and Steve Pinkston at LV's Uptown
UPDATE: We've been extended! Ted and I will be back at LV's this Sunday, July 23rd. All the other details are the same (see below). We had a great turnout on the 16th, so the manager invited us back. We will probably be invited back (or DIS-invited) on a week-by-week basis for a while. Many thanks to everyone who came out!
I'll be appearing with the fine jazz pianist Ted Clifford this Sunday, July 16th 10:00 AM to Noon at LV's Uptown. We'll be playing mostly jazz standards, with the unique flavors and spontaneous twists that Ted and I always create together.
If you're looking for a pleasant activity for a Sunday morning, please come out and join us. LV's Uptown is a very nice venue to listen to jazz, and they serve a delicious and decadent brunch buffet-style for 16 bucks, with smoked salmon, blintzes, fresh fruit and pastries, and much more. Details are at: http://www.lvuptown.com/menu.htm#Brunch
We hope to see you there!
I'll be appearing with the fine jazz pianist Ted Clifford this Sunday, July 16th 10:00 AM to Noon at LV's Uptown. We'll be playing mostly jazz standards, with the unique flavors and spontaneous twists that Ted and I always create together.
If you're looking for a pleasant activity for a Sunday morning, please come out and join us. LV's Uptown is a very nice venue to listen to jazz, and they serve a delicious and decadent brunch buffet-style for 16 bucks, with smoked salmon, blintzes, fresh fruit and pastries, and much more. Details are at: http://www.lvuptown.com/menu.htm#Brunch
LV’s Uptown is located adjacent to the University Grill at University Place, Portland State University’s conference center on the site of the former Doubletree Hotel. The address is 310 SW Lincoln St, which is on the south side of Lincoln street between First Ave and Fourth Avenue, about 5 blocks south of the PSU Campus.LV's features free parking for patrons – that rarest of rarities in downtown Portland.
We hope to see you there!
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