Category / Musicians

by Jazz Jammers

From Jason Chalmers,

occasional jammer, cossie stitcher extraordinaire, and in his alter ego CaptainSaxMachine, unemployed saxophonist (a tautology, surely?)

Last listened to Hit Me Baby, One More Time – the Jason Chalmer cover of Britney Spears’ song.. Latin version of course, but what did Britney do to deserve this?

I digress. The lad, who distinguished himself by playing on a cruise ship all last year and not bringing the corona virus home, has recorded a Country and Western album, posing in his backyard, whilst sufficiently indigent to make publication of his work a financial impossibility.

Failing, by virtue of his status as a professional saxophonist, to understand a single word of the preceding paragraph, he is resorting to crowd funding. This is the email he sent…Resourceful fellow – go on, give it a go!

So I have been making some fun albums and have two very special ones I’d love to make vinyl. Unfortunately due to the pandemic and me living in Melbourne I no longer have the funds to do so. So I’ve decided to give crowd funding a go. So please check out my campaign. And if you don’t mind share it around your networks. Or you can make a donation if you’re fiscally able…
Check the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/donate/3349022921857744/?fundraiser_source=external_url
I wish you all the very best in these difficult times,
Warmest regards,

Jason Chalmers

by Jazz Jammers

Roger Clark – an unusual request, and a classy recording

Last listened to Goodbye Mr Evans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9Dy8vqBOj8

Famous for the Clark rule: If you have played one more solo than Roger, you have played four solos too many. Roger specifically asked that I refrain from the usual scurrilous reports regarding his ancestor, Sir Roger de Coverley. I have never tried that angle before, but will do my best…

Roger was stuck in Melbourne for a while, but eventually received a permit to return to his farm in NSW. I do not wish to speculate on the grounds for objection by terrified sheep that may have eventually been over turned in the process of his getting the permit.

Leaning metaphorically, as it were, on the garden fence, and sucking a straw, Roger reminisced fondly on his trip to Costa Rica, and his lessons with gun alto saxophonist Josh Quinlan. He played every night with Brazilians, Argentinans, Costa Ricans, and occasionally, his saxophone.

He learnt so much from this experience that he has subsequently put out a recording with the Roger Clark Quartet – an album entitle “What A Life” . It is rather good.

Sadly, this could be the last we see of him for a while, as the Victorian Government is threatening to close its borders if he keeps playing “Estate”

Well worth a listen! Copy and paste this Spotify link



by Jazz Jammers

Breath meets the larynx and this is ‘Vocal Attack’

One of a series of articles on singing, from Ebony Rose

The vocal chords are living tissue and need to be used carefully. ( Avoid sudden shouting or gravel sounds as this causes strain). Hear the sounds mentally before you release them….

 

Inhale expanding the lungs……when breath goes through the larynx and vocal chords energy, vibration, sound, and pitch come into play. We are also using our resonators (air cavities, throat mouth nose and sinuses.

 

When a guitar is played you strum the strings.A Vocalist must find the power and know where to resonate from in the facial cavity. Fasinating really as no teacher can show you exactly how to do it!

 

It is something we must feel and learn…

 

Remember that moment when you found the tone and pitch resonating in the right part of your face, forehead and at the same time you are using the diaphragm to control the depth and resonance…..the sound is so much better!

 

Stay tuned for the Vocal Chords!

 

All Love Ebonyrose xx

by Jazz Jammers

How I was introduced to the jazz jammers

Singer Aimee Everett

 

Sala was the one who introduced me to the jam sessions. We had met online. I have always been keen to meet musically minded people, but not sure where to find them. The drum set in his profile picture caught my attention and I thought I would try and befriend this stranger. For about three weeks, we messaged each other and discussed music and occasionally sent each other an audio recording of ourselves.

Having a mutual musical interest, we thought it would be fitting for our first meet up to be music related, so we ended up meeting at Yarraville pop-up Park watching the Concerteenies. Sala invited me to come down to the jam session the following day, which I did. He bought me a drink and encouraged me to get up and sing. I can’t recall the songs I sang or how well I sang them (note sure if that was due to the drinks or the nerves), but I remember how friendly and warm everyone was. Since then, I have been one of the regulars at the jam sessions.

Hope everyone is safe and well and I looking forward to seeing you once we return to a ‘new normal’

Aimee

by Jazz Jammers

On Jazz Guitarists

Another in a series of guest writers: Fermin Navascués on learning guitar.

 

I used to come home from playing guitar in bands at functions and the like, playing pop music and soul tunes and my wife said to me “How come you go out and play pop tunes but come home and listen to jazz?” Well, true enough, I was disillusioned with contemporary music on commercial radio. A friend had referred me to PBS radio 106.7 and I discovered not only a plethora of jazz but also, Latin, funk, soul, world music and even doo-wop and progressive metal to mention a few. The key ingredient here was passionate and enthusiastic announcers who not only sourced significant and rare recordings but who could also tell you about the artist, the recording sessions, the impact of the music and some great anecdotes that brought these artists to life.

Where did the interest in jazz start? When I was 15 one of the senior boys at school who played great clarinet and admired Benny Goodman, encouraged me to jam with him in the science lab during lunch times. This led to playing rhythm in his 13 piece swing big band with guys averaging 16 years old. After that, I had tried to learn jazz guitar from a tuition book but found it hard going.

After listening to PBS and building up a CD collection of jazz artists, I found a CD at the library that brought it all home (No pun intended!). It was The Artistry of Barney Kessell with chord solos that seemed impossible to execute and improvisation that said something and makes every note count.

Eventually I signed up for jazz guitar lessons, with Bruce Clarke who at 80 years young was as sharp as a tack. In true Bruce style he gave me a time slot to decide if he was going to teach me. I practiced up in anticipation and when I arrived he asked me who was I listening to? Well, I said Barney Kessell and rattled off a few others like Joe Pass and Herb Ellis. He then asked me if I could read and put an exercise in front of me to prove it. He said he had heard enough, pointed to the photo on the wall of him playing with Barney Kessell and the other one next to it, playing with Herb Ellis and said, “See you next week”.

For me, the Jazz Jammers has provided the opportunity to transition from learning the music to playing it. It provides a safe haven to play with a wonderful array of musicians and instrumentation, and a great network for collaboration.

by Jazz Jammers

The Next Session at the Junktion Hotel:

Featured Singer Michelle Gigliotti, with meself on keys, Western swing bassist Kip Dale, Bill Swannie on drums, and Neil on guitar. Michelle last sang with the Jammers at the Grand Hotel, and will feature a few early blues and jazz tunes. Big voice, Michelle sings a range of standards – blues, a little latin and maybe a ballad or two.

by Jazz Jammers

The Next Session at the Junktion Hotel: Featured Singer Annie Smith

Yup, we are running another series of featured singers, starting this Sunday with Annie Smith, who may or may not wear her little red bonnet, accompanied by Gentleman John Curtis and I am not sure quite who on double bass.

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Annie Smith (this photo from the Inverloch Jazz Festival) will be selecting a coupla brackets of songs from her eclectic rep. in her own discursive style.

by Jazz Jammers

Hi
I need another  musician  to  play jazz  tunes from real book charts   in a  duo  format. I  will be playing  guitar or  bass depending  who fills  the  spot.

This  is a  café/ bar/small  eatery   gig,  just playing for  tips  in Brunswick   just  off  Sydney road  on a Wed. night at  ENZO’s, Michael Street  ,Brunswick. You will need to be there at  7 pm  and  play  from  7.30pm until  9pm  with a  short  break . You will be  given  refreshments on the  house  i.e  a  drink , a  snack   etc. Dress code  : look professional.
The  actual  date  is   Wed.  evening  July 18th  2018  at   7 pm. If you  are interested   then please  say  so . If not  then  please be  polite   and   inform me   that  you are not interested. If you know someone who  is  into  Jazz  and  is   proficient who might  be
interested  then  please forward   this  message to them.

RSVP  ASAP
Taariq

by Jazz Jammers

RAB Zimmerman Awarded MVP in Scandi Grand Final

Rock on! Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday, October 13.

Dylan, 75, won “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition,” the Swedish Academy, which chooses the recipient, said in a press release. A short list of nominees was not revealed.

The 12-time Grammy winner is the first American to win the prize in over two decades. Novelist Toni Morrison was recognized for her work in 1993.