Author: ericdano

Polymath, musician, awesome.

The Conn-O-Sax

Posted on By ericdano 1 Comment on The Conn-O-Sax

While surfing the net, I came across the strange instrument called the Conn-O-Sax. There is one on Ebay right now that can be bought for the princely sum of $100,000 (I kid NOT).

Conn made these to spur sales that had been slumpin. Seems they made them from 1915 to 1925, and they believed it was going to be the next big thing. They do have almost a 3 octave range (A to G), and the tone I’d describe as a really mellow soprano in quality to something like a Paul Desmond sound. Sadly, it seems that only about 20 of these instruments exist now.

If you want check out some audio clips (or buy a CD), Rob Verdi has an excellent album out that he did exclusively on the Conn-O-Sax. And it sounds great!!

Below are the images off the Ebay auction because I though this instrument was extremely interesting.

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Articles

Playing in Cold and Hot Environments

Posted on By ericdano No Comments on Playing in Cold and Hot Environments

Sometimes, you need a video to show the obvious. This is one such video. Perhaps another such video will show that you shouldn’t maybe run over the neck of your saxophone with a car and expect it to sound the same?

Another obvious video is this one, playing slow to play fast. On this one, why film it outside with car noise and stuff?

You gotta love this YouTube-ish era we are in……..where people put up videos and you have to ask………why?

Videos

Akai USB EWI

Posted on By ericdano 8 Comments on Akai USB EWI

akai-ewi-usb-600-2Suppose you want to play EWI. But you don’t want to play the Studebaker one. And you don’t particularly need nor want to visit the 70s and early 80s with the Analogue synth found in the EWI4000S.

Fear not, Akai has heard your pleas.
” Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces EWI USB, its latest wind controller, is now shipping.

EWI USB enables anyone, regardless of wind instrument-playing experience, to perform with the expressive capabilities of the wind instrument of their choice. The wind controller features a plug-and-play USB interface for use with the included Aria software with Garritan and Akai Professional samples as a sound source. EWI USB is Mac and PC compatible.”

They also have more detailed information on their website now. People who want to pretend they play Cello, or Oboe, or whatever will be delighted with the Garritan Aria player that comes with the EWI USB. List price is $299. Not a bad deal.

I somehow think Akai has good humor in announcing this on Halloween.

News

So You Wanna Record A Big Band…..

Posted on By ericdano No Comments on So You Wanna Record A Big Band…..

So, I’ve been working on this CD for a big band I play in. I have no idea how much it cost to get the person to record it, multitrack, and a couple of sessions. I’m thinking at least $6,000….if not more. So, say you have ProTools (or something similar) that can handle 30 tracks of audio. How much would it cost to get the equipment to do it yourself…..let’s figure it out……

Read More “So You Wanna Record A Big Band…..” »

Articles

The Music of George Garzone & The Triadic Chromatic Approach DVD

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George Garzone has a 2 DVD instructional set coming out next month. $89.95. Sounds interesting.

“The Music of George Garzone & The Triadic Chromatic Approach”, is a Jazz Improvisation Instructional DVD and much, much more.
MADE FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS

  • Performances: Solo, Duos, Trios, an Sextet performances
  • The Triadic Chromatic Approach: 23 Chapters & 30 Examples of In-Depth Lessons
  • Trading Play Alongs: George Plays / You Play w/ Rhythm Section
  • Pure Play Along: You Play w/ Rhythm Section
  • Garzone On Sound: In-depth Lesson of Saxophone Sound Production
  • PDF Supplements: Transposed for all instruments, examples, exercises and lead sheets
  • Bonus Features: Interviews, Alternate Takes, Extra
News

Finally a Good Sampled Saxophone Instrument?

Posted on By ericdano No Comments on Finally a Good Sampled Saxophone Instrument?

We have all suffered the pain of listening to synthed or sampled saxophones. Some of them have sounds that kill at 50 paces. Some of them try to convince you they are real like an inept Politician trying to get reelected. All generally fail to sound like the real thing.

Enter SampleModeling’s new Tenor Saxophone instrument:
“We are proud to present the result of our collaboration with Stefano Lucato. Stefano was the developer, along with Dr. Giorgio Tommasini, of the Stradivari Violin and the Gofriller Cello.

Stefano Lucato & Samplemodeling created the next groundbreaking virtual instrument: the Tenor Saxophone! It´s extremely expressive, enjoyable, and intuitively playable – simply a real sample-modelled instrument!”

Cost….probably $240. Probably the best sampled saxophone I’ve heard, but……..you know……..it still……well……you know.

Articles, News

Saint John Will-I-Am Coltrane Church in Trouble

Posted on By ericdano No Comments on Saint John Will-I-Am Coltrane Church in Trouble

From the SF Chronicle:
“..earlier this year one of its principal funders, the New College of California, collapsed financially, leaving the church without a vital income source. The school had paid two-thirds of the church’s rent, so now King and his retinue are again asking its members and the community to help the church.”

Background is that the church was founded by saxophonist Franzo Wayne King back in 1971. He and his wife had a “religious experience” at a Coltrane concert in 1965. So, I guess the natural outcome was to found a church for it 6 years later during the whole hippie thing in the Bay Area? Dunno…..but it’s time of existence is getting rather short unless there is some “divine” intervention (or a large influx of money…or both).

News

Jazz Side Of The Moon

Posted on By ericdano No Comments on Jazz Side Of The Moon

Here are the ingredients of a great album and recording:
1. Great songs….Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon…..check
2. Good arrangements of said songs…..check
3. Great players…..check
4. Record everything live, with a single microphone and no digital “wizardary” (not Pro Tools *gasp*)…..check

The sound of the album is great (seriously, no Pro Tools). Tunes are great. Just……..great! When is a “Jazz Side Of The Wall” coming out? I think a jazzed version of Comfortably Numb would be rather cool.

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Check out the album Jazz Side Of The Moon by Sam Yahel, Mike Moreno, Ari Hoenig, Seamu Blake on iTunes or CD via Amazon.

9.5/10

Reviews

Live Jazz Concert Recordings

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Sometimes on the internet, you find some great sites. This is one such site. “You Are What You Hear” is a great site that has concert recordings from great artists such as Dave Liebman, Michael Brecker, Chris Potter, John Scofield……to name a very few. Well worth spending some time getting some of the recording here.

I think the best recording is the Michael Brecker : Montreal Jazz Festival 27.6.2001. Simply amazing.

Articles

Ralph Moore – Bye Bye Blackbird

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Another transcribed solo by Kenyon Carter. Ralph Moore playing Bye Bye Blackbird off the Album “Ralph Moore and Ray Brown – Moore Makes 4”

  Ralph Moore - Bye Bye Blackbird (49.9 KiB, 284 hits)
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Album iTunes link, Amazon link
Song iTunes link

Articles

Stan Getz – The Way You Look Tonight

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Transcribed solo of Stan Getz on The Way You Look Tonight from the Album “Ultimate Stan Getz” (probably on another albums/compilations too). Transcribed by Kenyon Carter.

  Stan Getz - The Way You Look Tonight (83.3 KiB, 516 hits)
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Album iTunes link, Amazon link
Song iTunes link

Sheet Music