March 14, 2016

Optimist Jazz Festival Report

Westgate Senior Jazz Ensemble:
Conductor is unsure of where punches in the music should happen and is buried in the score the
entire performance. Trombone player is spot on but the rest seem to struggle with internal rhythms and
subdivisions. Great tone and overall a stellar performance. First notes are always great, and it was a good
idea to give the trombone a solo during the second tune, however the rest of the band dropped the groove
after the solo. Feeling Good was a cool selection with the singer. Creates a sense of community in the
band because someone is putting themselves on the line and you have to play for them as well as possible.
Singer was just good enough that I didnt notice the band, and thats how it should be with a solo singer
up there. Gordon Foote took the approach of being the best musician in the room and letting everyone
know it. Keys were:
-

Control of instrument and tone production are #1

Know the rules of the style
+ of 4 is the most important moment in the bar
Note before the punch is always long
Dont turn the piece square
Energy in a line comes from dynamics, accents, and ghost notes
Punches are at the top note of a line and ghosts are at the bottom
Drummer can take liberty on the hi hats, make it as interesting as possible with accents and

different volumes
Not square sound, elliptical sound so its (elliptical = orbit of planets, music reflecting the way of

the universe always sounds better right?)

Rhythm drives the bus and add shape to long notes
Shaping notes doesnt change time
Lady Bird turnaround = C Eb Ab Db C(M7 chords)
Know your keys to play jazz
Learning an instrument hasnt changed in forever. We have instant access to everything but

learning the organ is still learning the organ

Staccato means short relative to the other notes
ba doooooo DAH
Computers can play notes/rhythms better than anyone on the planet but CAN NOT play music
Every bar has a go-to note, you have to place it, and if you rush it you lose the effect.

Grade 8 Jazzers:
Interesting count in by director, but somehow started together. Large troop so loudness masks
imperfections. Great tone for a grade 8 group. I like the lineup approach for the solos. Director shouldnt
have gotten drummer to do a technical drum solo that lacks feel and facility. Drummer may have potential

but it didnt seem to be fostered. Solid drumming manifests through an internal sense. Inside out, not
outside in. Hearing a wash of sound more than melodies in the second tune. Playing Dont Stop
Believing in straight time with a couple seventh chords didnt seem fruitful in my opinion.
Clinician took a warm and fuzzy approach:
-

Are you all friends? Do you have fun?

Practice in a circle and sit next to people
Dont be ready for the first note, be ready 10 seconds before the first note
Balance is key, start from the rhythm section

Windsor park Junior Jazz Band:

Missing control right away. Conductor is dancing around far too much to be effective. Steps
forward are tone building, scales, and then confidence. Third tune was much too difficult for the drummer
and should not have been included.
Clinician took a stern approach and began with a story about how his father who used to be a band
teacher would kick music stands and if you had you flute up at the wrong time youd risk getting your
teeth knocked out from a music stand knocking the flute into your face. Definitely had chops on the
trumpet though:
-

Used lots of talking at first to settle the class

Play first notes of piece and then break it down, take it slower. Follow the drummer
The sound pyramid is a 3D pyramid
Trumpets are directional and saxophones are not. Sound escapes through keys all the time
Be in motion even before you start playing
How much do you need to look at your music? If youre looking then youre not hearing as much

as you need
It starts with the music stand, keep it at the appropriate height
Softly can still be intensely if articulation and accents are used
Theres nothing you did bad, just little things we can take more care of
2% ff and 98% mf still gives the effects required to sound interesting