John Benitez's Purpose: Great New Album From A Jazz Great
Manages to create a perfect synthesis of Benitez’s Latin jazz roots and modern jazz. Benitez brings to light honest music, which captures the listeners ears in a genuine calm while still containing the fiery essence of most Latin jazz albums. The compositions are all composed by Benitez, except “The Return” and “Pureza,” which are composed by Manuel Valera, and “YL” by Francis Benitez, all of which are arranged by Benitez. His ensemble features Will Vinson on alto sax, Manuel Valera on piano/keyboards, Tom Guarna on guitar, Steve Benitez on Drums, Pedrito Martinez and Tito Cruz on percussion, and the masterful John Benitez on bass.Purpose opens up with a tune called “Turkish,” which begins with picturesque counterpoint, with Vinson and Guarna responding to Benitez and Valera’s lower melodic lines. Although the arrangement seems pretty complex, it still holds a pinch of Latin jazz. Vinson takes the fist solo, cutting through the ensemble while lacing motives together, creating a short but memorable solo. Manuel Valera’s superimposition of other harmonies can be heard throughout his solo on “Turkish,” creating a polytonal effect. This composition by Benitez is a gem that contains a new type of forward-looking Latin jazz.
Another tune I enjoy from this record is “The Return,” which begins with solo piano block chords that jump into a melodic interplay between the low and medium range melodic sections. The melodic contour comes to a rest with the use of ascending melodic ideas. The use of the synthesizer is slightly suggestive of Chick Corea’s early fusion period, and Benitez’s solo on “The Return” is highly motivic and full of energy.
“Pureza,” which translates to “purity” in English, begins with soft collective improvisation its purest authentic form between all the instruments in that leads into an arpeggiated section by Guarna, giving way to the head, which Vinson performs magnificently. Benitez’s unaccompanied solo is filled with a melodic simplicity that only true masters play with. “Pureza” is a feature of mostly all the members of the group, and even the ones playing the least still hold a great part in the performance. Their presence is felt as if the music is breathing slowly and steadily through the piece.
“YL” reminds me of Hermeto Pascoal’s music, primarily in how the melody moves throughout the piece, as well as the driving feel of the rhythm section. Another thing that hints at Pascoal’s music is the use of non-functional harmony as well as the synchronization of all the instruments during the melody. Throughout, Vinson’s sax playing evokes Miguel Zenon’s tone, and Tom Guarna enlightens us with a burning fusion solo, in which he trades with the trumpet player.
Playing Trumpet With Ears - News
Throughout, Vinson's sax playing evokes Miguel Zenon's tone, and Tom Guarna enlightens us with a burning fusion solo, in which he trades with the trumpet player. Benitez's record is a definite buy for every jazz fan who wants to listen to new music
He and his small group, Collector's Edition, play standards with a friendly, inviting touch, and they add to the positive vibes already flowing throughout the room — especially when Howard tosses aside the trumpet to sing a spontaneous blues.
However that's only because trumpets play a larger role in their sound than they do in Fanfare Ciocarlia. Occasionally you'll hear something in their trumpet playing that might strike you as familiar, the high silver sound we've come to identify with
I'd like to hear 200 violinists playing one of my tunes." Beachy composes music for elementary beginners, and plays numerous instruments, primarily the piano and the trumpet. As he plays "Fur Elise" on the keyboard, the battling sounds of African drums
He is not simply a popular jazz trumpet player headlining Wednesday at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. No, he is a celebrity. A friend of Sting, a man who dates well-known women, a fellow who has to size up shows not for their musical
Vancouver International Jazz Festival Diary – Day 7 / Thursday ...
One of the great surprises of this fest was this sneaky 4tet lead by minimalist trumpeter Erik Truffaz. Sneaky because, even though my ears were open and ready to receive, I wasn’t expecting to dig this quartet as much as they made me. Set started out slow, Truffaz a little shaky in the first tune, perhaps not warmed up yet. Then –suddenly– very warm. Beautiful, spare, spacious and spacey tones, long and short; effects elongating, repeating, laying down a rhythm for himself to play over. Gorgeous, warm tone; zen presence. And then, simply scooped up the audience in (yet another) extend-a-set groovefest. Knock-out electric bassist Marcello Giuliani, who looks rather like he should be in a punk band, still managed to somehow have a subtle physical presence while exhibiting some seriously heavy bass chops, popping the ears out with some serious(ly awesome) perma-rumble finger flying. Bliss. Amazing set of high-flying grooves, a deliciously long encore that only made us want more, and then a rush to the table to buy out the CDs (I had to get mine online!)
Truffaz awash in an awesomely trippy haze of his own creation
The Bad Plus @ The Vogue
Haven’t seen these guys in some years, though not for lack of trying – last time I was in NYC they sold out several nights at the Village Vanguard. I missed most of this set because I was happily lost in an Erik Truffaz 4tet trip, so was belatedly and happily thrown back against the wall by their mega-tight, absolutely smokin’, fast-changes-with-no-man-left-behind, hot (yet so NYC cool) jazz originals (as opposed to the beautifully warped versions of rock and pop tunes they’ve built their name on. My brain must be fried because I’m somehow remembering them as loose, loopy stoner versions of rock and pop songs. Weird.) Anyway, throw in the best sound quality I’ve probably ever heard at the Vogue and talk about blown away – all I could think about what blasted me in the face when I walked in: “Holy shit… they’re good!” Stunned wordless. Almost made me miss…
Kevin Elaschuk Quartet @ O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar
Caught the last few tunes of longtime fave, trumpeter Kevin Elaschuk’s Quartet at Home Sweet O’Doul’s and it was like coming Home, twofold. There is a warmth and sincerity to the man that comes through in his soulful trumpet playing, echoed by his bandmates Bill Coon (guitar), Joe Poole (drums) and André Lachance (bass). Fantastic to hear Bill Coon sounding so wonderful, too – the man is, after all, largely responsible for a marked increase in my enjoyment of guitar in jazz.( I’m a tenor sax and trumpet girl, but the man’s lovely playing has gotten to me…) This Quartet is a must-hear soul soother for these ears. Wanted to take photos this set, but it was far too pleasurable to sit back and enjoy this with full-on listening. Good thing they’re local and we can hear (shoot) them at regular gigs throughout the year.
Playing Trumpet With Ears - Bookshelf
Trumpet technique
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, follows exposure to loud noise and may be a ... of trumpet at the University of Kansas, was unable to continue playing and ...The world of jazz trumpet, a comprehensive history & practical philosophy
He could play his tail off. And there were other trumpet players who didn't play so much ... You wouldn't shout in her ears— it would be over and done with! ...Sound the Trumpet, How to Blow Your Own Horn
on the basics of playing trumpet, you can get started with some simple songs. ... they require a lot of air and they train your ears because notes way down ...Trumpet
Books are available for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and drums. The main goal of these books is to teach the art of ensemble playing. ...Bass Player Presents The Fretless Bass
I got a lot of my pitch awareness from playing trumpet, because when you're ... It's a constant struggle on fretless bass because your ears and fingers must ...Day-after-day Posts Directory
MENC Forums / static in ear while playing trumpet
I have a friend who, while playing trumpet gets a static-y sound in her ears, specifically the left ear, like a snare is on in her ear. Any thoughts? ...
IWasDoingAllRight - Jazz Blog, Ear Training, Jazz Trumpet ...
Jazz blog about a jazz trumpet player's experiences with ear training, trumpet playing, and jazz improvisation. Free online ear training tools and jazz improvisation tips.
Trumpet | My Ears Are Open
I play trumpet, conduct, and sometimes compose music for this organization. ... Posted on February 19, 2011 by James Holt. categories: My Ears Are ...
Jeff Helgesen's Clinic Notes || Jazz Trumpet Clinic Notes
Notes from a general lecture to high school students on playing the trumpet in jazz settings. ... Play with as little pressure as you can while getting the best sound you can. ...
Ear Trumpet - Guitar
Ogre Partners With Miles Davis Properties, LLC and J&R Electronics (NY) in The new Miles Davis Trumpet in-ear headphones feature a uniquely jazz ...