Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH 2013

[Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Very cool ideas Elizabeth....I think that's a great direction especially for newbie, ear players !


Mike Wilbur



On Aug 30, 2013, at 12:00 AM, EGS1217@xxxxxxx wrote:

> I do too, Mike--the thing is..it's been discussed and thought about and pondered for SEVERAL years now (ever since I suggested the idea and requested that we try to do it ages ago).
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> I quite understand the difficulties. There's so much going on at a SPAH (especially this 50th Anniversary)...and Manfred DID ask for other contributors  to Seminars before SPAH so there might have been space for such a thing, but my idea (long ago), was to have something similar to the late-night jazz jam they held one night at Buckeye. Oh it was fabulous: the lights were dimmed, tablecloths appeared on round tables with small glass candles giving the illusion of a nightclub, and the good players took turns getting up on stage with some backing (I think a trio) and had at it. 
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> I was entranced by that evening although very intimidated by the playing level and the idea began cooking if we couldn't eventually plan to do something similar on a lesser scale for us newbies who weren't yet ready to jam onstage along with the big guns. Maybe WE could have a more casual circle or seated around similar candle-lit tables where we'd be totally relaxed in a 'homey' type of setting for those hoping to learn how to improv? We don't require  musicians--backing tracks would be enough - Phil Caltabellotta has long been bringing his Bose player to SPAH and doing afternoon jazz jams using either Hal Leonard or Music Minus One CD's, which gatherings are always well-attended (but Enrico Granafei lent us his guitar in a lobby at GSHC one late night--which is where I first enjoyed Take 5, in fact). That was very cool since he played for and catered to everyone willing to give it a try. It helped fuel my thoughts about this 'amateur jazz evening'. I still can't play Take 5 although I must have filmed dozens of harmonicists playing it--mostly on chromatic, but  when Chris Michalek and Peter 'MadCat' Ruth got up to Jam on their diatonics, that was fabulous. With Peter we were getting THE guy who still plays with Chris Brubek. There's a video out there somewhere of him guesting with Randy Singer in Brazil I think it was, both playing Take 5. Fabulous. I've loved that tune forever--want to master it very much.
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> I don't want this 'Amateur jazz' dream to be an early morning or even afternoon seminar--to my mind that doesn't lend itself to jazz improv (at least for me). I'd love to have the room set up just for those willing to spend some time with a couple of those great (and very giving) teachers such as Phil, Smokey or Rob whom I already know are more than comfortable stepping back to allow others to play while providing pointers.
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>  To me there's nothing worse than the fluorescent lighting in the typical Hotel seminar room. Atmosphere is everything and a 'supper club'/evening type set up can be so conducive to better playing, and is what I see in my mind's eye. ...so this will take some 'extras'. Getting the room for a couple of hours (at the right time) with the materials (tablecloths/candles, etc.) which I wouldn't mind providing but how to get them there from NY?...logistics get in the way. The problem too is that it would be ruined if it turned into yet another showcase for the jazz players who'd be sure to stop in, which any jazz play tends to do the moment any of the great players come into the room. I wouldn't want to play in front of them, frankly.
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> I originally discussed my ideas with Smokey and others years ago and he's been pondering how to make it work ever since. Separately he'd also been thinking of an amateur jazz teaching seminar, which is a wee bit different from what I've had in mind. We've tried to figure out ways to combine our ideas. So far it's still a dream, but I'm sure that ONE of these days and at ONE of these SPAHs we'll figure out a way to put it together.
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> At least it's something to aim for. :)
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> "Smo-Joe 
> I like the Jazz / jam/ seminar ....thingie idea !
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> Mike Wilbur"
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> On Aug 28, 2013, at 7:48 PM, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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> > 
> > On Aug 27, 2013, at 11:18 AM, EGS1217@xxxxxxx wrote:
> >> Phil and MadCat would have brought to those jams and sure would have 
> >> loved hearing Take 5 the way I've heard you all play it before. No one took 
> >> it on this time. So--next year--same town, same same hotel. Meet us in St. 
> >> Louis, and SOMEbody make sure to play Take 5 for me, please? :)
> >> 
> >> Best,
> >> 
> >> Elizabeth
> > 
> > Wasn't aware that you liked that one. I was going to do it. Eb minor. (Or straight no chaser), but there were so many great players there
> > that I only played one tune. Too intimidarted. Anyway, it wasn't about me. I am grateful to all my players for helping make it all possible. 
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> > I have been musing on that 'jazz jam for beginers' thingie' and consulting with someone. I'm thinking about a seminar for next year?
> > Maybe a seminar one day and some jams in the following days. I would need some backing tracks? Still giving it some thought. 
> > 
> > smo-joe