The Richard Page Sextet

On Saturday, June 2, I will be performing at the Alcorn Music Studio GigSpace with my sextet.

I'm really excited to perform with this group, because we will be performing my music that I rarely perform. The set lists are comprised of solely original music and arrangements which will allow each player to stretch out as they please.

The music is a collection of my original compositions that emphasize my growing appreciation for world music. I have a few pieces that I have performed with my trio, but for the most part, it's a whole new show.

As far as influences are concerned, I have been listening to an incredible amount of Duke Ellington lately, and I am blown away by the diversity in timbre and texture but his ability to retain his orchestra's identity. Listening to his suites have been an education.

I've also enjoyed taking a real, hard look at David Braid's music. I particularly was interested in how he used each instrument. It's one of the aspects of his sextet that love. Each horn has an important role, and you can always hear what's going on within the horns. As well as the horn writing, I have been looking into the way Braid writes for his rhythm section. To me, that's the ticket! When the rhythm section is taken out of the background and there is some emphasis placed upon it, you really feel like it's a band and not just horn players playing on top of a play-a-long track.

On this show, I am extremely fortunate to have a great band! These are all wonderful players with whom I am grateful to share the stage!

Patrick Denison – alto saxophone

Ed Lister – trumpet and mutes

Alex Moxon – guitar

JP Lapensee – electric bass

David Pontello – drums and cymbals

See you there!

Here's the link to the Facebook event.

Taking Lessons

I have been taking lessons on Skype with Tim Price over the last two months and it's one of the smartest decisions that I've made in a while.

The Story

Roughly six months ago, I was in a musical rut. I was gigging quite a bit (and still am), but I wasn't inspired. I was playing the same tunes, the same way every time that I was on a job. That's what music had become – a job.

I started to resent my horns. I was only really picking them up when I was on going to a gig and the time that I did have the horn out at home, I noodled for hours – but never played anything meaningful.

After talking to my fiance about my options, the topic of lessons came up. I thought that if I could regain some focus into my practice habits, that I would become interested in learning again.

I emailed Tim Price after seeing his posts on Sax On The Web for his Skype lessons and he said that he could help.

I was not familiar with Tim's playing – I had his Blues-eum recording with Sue Terry (definitely worth checking out), I had watched the YouTube videos and I had read his blog, but I hadn't done any real extended listening or exploring.

Our first lesson was great – Tim had me play over a bunch of my favourite tunes and then he started emailing me the exercises and concepts.

I really felt (and still feel) like Tim really understands what I'm looking for in my own playing. We have discussions, tell jokes, swap stories and after every lesson I have a huge amount of creative energy that I can pour directly into my horns. One of the biggest challenges and one of the things that I look forward to every week is the spontaneity. I'm not saying that the lessons lack direction or that they are unstructured, Tim has a system, but it's not a cookie-cutter system. Every exercise or concept that we talk about or apply relates directly to what I'm doing as an artist. This extremely personal approach makes me think about these concepts deeper and I take much more initiative than I have taken in the past to make these concepts my own.

Over the last two months I can feel the direction in my playing has changed. I have a positive outlook on my practice time and I'm truly interested in the music again!

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or email me.

Check Tim out on his website - http://timpricejazz.com/

Alcorn Music Studio - The Gigspace Jazz Jam

I wanted to share an extremely positive experience that I had at an Ottawa Jam Session on Thursday, March 22 at the Alcorn Music Studio Gigspace.

I have been avoiding the Ottawa jazz jam scene for the last few months. I love to play with lots of different musicians, but I don't always agree with how the jam sessions are run.

There are a few aspects to this evening that sets it apart from the rest of the Ottawa jam nights.

First off, the organization. This jam is run beautifully! Tim Bedner is a great host. I love the fact that everybody gets a chance to play (Tim had several students out), but it isn't a free-for-all (or had a signup list). I noticed that when the students were on stage, there were always two members of the house band (or a member of the house band and a pro horn player) up with them. This gave the music a definite direction.

When the high-level players got up on stage, Tim let us go - play to our heart's content and swapped players out each tune or every couple of tunes. When the music started heading in one exclusive direction, Tim broke the band down and made sure the night stayed interesting for everyone who was in attendance. One thing that gets me down about quite a few jam sessions is the fact that you play one or two tunes and your night is over. There's no chance to build as collective and the creativity is not shared. When I ran my gigs at the Rainbow (2008-2009) and the Avant Garde (2009-2011) if a player of stature came in with their horn (or any other axe) and wanted to sit in, they could sit in all night if they wanted. It helps create a real open vibe with the gig. The fact that I was able to play more makes this jam extremely appealing.

Another big bonus on this night is the house band. Tim Bedner (guitar), Mark Alcorn (bass) and David Pontello (drums). What a band! As far as a jam session band goes - I don't think that you can get better. They are well-versed in all styles, incredibly flexible/open to ideas and they know their tunes. They also swing hard! When I see a rhythm section like this, I want to play! I know it makes others want to play, too.

The players that came out were a great hang (and great audience). A few of Tim's students were there (They sound good. They all sound like they work very hard - I'm looking forward to hearing them next month), Peter Hum, Tom Denison, Patrick Denison, Lucas Denison, Ed Lister, Geri Trimble, if I forgot anyone, I'm sorry. It's nice to hear players who play fairly regularly (as opposed to once a month) and I believe that having a great rhythm section creates the buzz.

If you're in the Ottawa area on the fourth Thursday of the month, make sure that you check out this jazz jam. It's only $5 to get in to see a great jazz jam.

Hope to see you there!

http://gigspaceottawa.com/
http://www.timbedner.com/
http://davidpontello.com/

Lester Young Transcription - Ad Lib Blues (1952)

Here's Lester Young sounding great on a blues!

Part two to follow.

The audio is here.

Lester Young Transcription - There Will Never Be Another You (1952)

Another great solo from Lester Young. Enjoy!!

Here's the audio to go along with it. Click here for the Youtube video.

My Tour With Amy Brandon - Day Six

Day Six - Tatamagouche!

On Saturday night, we performed at Fables. This is definitely one of my favourite places that I have ever played!

We showed up at the venue around 6pm for our 7:30pm. Amy and I were greeted by Chuck and Hanna (the people that run Fables) and loaded our gear. We set up and then ordered dinner. The ham panini was incredible!

As the audience started filling up the place, Amy and I made our way to the stage. The house music was turned off, and we were let to do our thing.

The Gig.

From the first note, the audience was silent. This is very easily the most respectful crowd that I've played for in at least the last four years (since I've been back from Europe). The beauty of playing for an audience like this is that you can really use your dynamics, colours, shading - all of the subtleties that are lost in a louder room.

The other aspect of the audience that I loved was that they were focused on the music. It wasn't just that they were quiet, it was that they were wanting more from the musicians than a regular room. This quiet intensity brings out the best in musicians, and last night the energy from the audience helped feed our duo! Extremely inspiring!

We played two sets of roughly fifty minutes each, and I think we may be able to release a nice set of music from the show.

These are the nights that I live for as a jazz artist!

I can't recommend this venue enough to any artist or band coming through the East Coast.

Sunday is our last day with two concerts - one in Halifax and one in Truro.

My Tour With Amy Brandon - Day Five

Day Five - Moncton

The drive to Moncton was filled with thoughts about the gig from the previous night. Things that worked, things that needed work, things the didn't work - the usual self-deprecating musician talk...(*chuckles).

We arrived in Moncton a little earlier than expected and hung out in a coffee shop (Jitter Bean Cafe). We needed some coffee and internet. Jitter Bean has great coffee and they are super nice people! I have been recording our gigs and rehearsals since I arrived. I've always found that it's a great tool to be able to listen back. After we have some time to digest the recordings, I'm sure that we'll post some online.

I was really excited to perform at the Plan b Lounge in Moncton. It was just nominated for venue of the year in the East Coast.

Musically, I thought that Amy and I got into the zone. The music felt great! Stretching out and pushing our musical boundaries. I think that we feel like a group now. We are able to anticipate each other - we are really starting to understand each other.

The one downside to the gig was that there were a few tables of very loud people. I guess you can't always win that game...

We grabbed dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant across the street with Amy's brother-in-law and his wife (who also attended our show) and headed back to Truro.

Our next stop - Tatamagouche!