"Summertime"

I thought I might share a video this time.  Here's yours truly playing "Summertime" on both chromatic and diatonic harps.  For those of you that might not know the difference, basically the chromatic harp has a button on the side that operates a slide allowing you to get sharps and flats (button out=white keys on piano, button in=black keys).  On a diatonic, the player needs to "bend" notes to get sharps and flats.  Also, diatonics are tuned in many different keys which makes the note bending a little easier in certain keys. 

In the harmonica world, chromatic players and diatonic players are two distinct groups and the debate over which harp is better borders on a religious feud!!  I've found that each type of harmonica has its place in music.  Blues, country, and some jazz tunes lend themselves to diatonic.  Classical, standards, jazz tunes work well on chromatic.  That's not to say that this is a hard-fast rule!  Just my humble opinion...

I've been playing harmonica over 40 years and its been primarily chromatic.  In the past 2 yrs, I've had opportunity to learn the diatonic...and it HAS been a learning process!!  Two harmonicas, two completely different techniques. 

In this video, you'll hear both chromatic and diatonic.  It can be seen with others on my youtube channel.  www.youtube.com/jazzharp1  Let me know what you think!!!

Milestones in life

So, its pool time here in the northeast and while floating around in my recliner, some thoughts crossed my mind about milestones in life.

Last September, I turned 50. Funny, I didn't "feel" 50...although I am starting to... This past May, my daughter graduated college and during the ceremony I kept thinking "this isn't supposed to happen yet! She was just in high school!". Then, my son graduated high school last week. And, as the pictures were being taken, I kept thinking "wait a sec! He was just in 3rd grade!".

So, while floating in my pool the thought struck me that I have passed thru a couple of milestones myself... I also find myself thinking about pension plans, 401ks, etc. more and more.

But I also think more about music and what it is in my life. What music to share, work on, try out, etc. I love having music in my life, I love knowing great musicians, and I love being able to make music.

Maybe my next milestone will be music related??

...til next time...

A lesson from the Sonny Rollins practice regimen

The old joke "How do I get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!" is no joke. And its no joke in the world of jazz. Learning tunes, changes, etc., is one thing. Practicing scales, arpeggios, etc. is another. And it IS required!

No one exemplified the art and passion to practice more than Sonny Rollins. The story goes that he didnt want to disturb the neighbors in his NY apartment bldg, so he would go out to the Queensborough Bridge at 5am to practice. He also at another time in his life lived in a wooded area and took a sax protege out to the woods to practice.

Talk about commitment!

If you ever had the chance to hang around with any successful musician you would know that they are "honing their axe" all the time!

Performing jazz music is not a spectator sport! It takes constant practice!

About my Dad

My father Bob is the reason I am a musician...specifically a harmonica player. Dad loved the harmonica and played almost every day up until he died. He played the chord harmonica which is a 2ft long, double decker instrument sectioned off into chords. Dad was arguably one of the best in history to master it.

He played in his own harmonica trio when he was a kid called "The Harmonica Revelers". He joined the Air Force, played tuba and upright bass, and also found other harmonica players to play with. After the Air Force, he started a harmonica trio called "The Harmonikings" which, while never making it big, were well known. He later got the call to join Jerry Murads "Harmonicats" which was a dream come true for him. He eventually the 'Cats and did some recording projects with me as "The Bauers".

His love and passion for music and the harmonica had a profound influence on me. The style of music he liked, the chord phrases he would literally swoon over, whatever impressed him has been engrained in my mind. His support for my playing...which I still learn more about as I meet friends of his to this day...will always warm my heart.

On Fathers Day, I encourage all that still have their Dads to call them and tell them they love him.

To my Dad: I love you and miss you every day!

...til next time.

Back in the studio this week

Should be wrapping up the Christmas CD tracks this week. Then we hope to mix and master in July.

Also have a couple of gigs coming up too. First appearance of the Chris Bauer Trio in NYC. We're really looking forward to that.

Sooooo, any thoughts on the name for the CD?

It's Wednesday

And in my world, at lunchtime on a Wednesday means you're officially halfway thru the week!

Sun is shining here in NY and it's HOT out!  It still beats winter!  You can always cool off from the heat but you can never get rid of the winter chill. 

My latest music discovery is a series of youtube videos posted by "Frankly Jazz TV".  There was a weekly tv show in the mid-50s hosted by a jazz radio DJ Frank Evans which feature jazz artists from the west coast.  Heard a sax player named Bud Shank play "Misty" as an up-tempo Bossa.  Very cool!! 

...til next time

CB

http://www.chrisbauermusic.com/
www.youtube.com/jazzharp1
www.reverbnation.com/chrisbauerjazz
http://twitter.com/chrisbauerjazz

My unofficial review of PT Gazell's new CD "2 Days Out"

Folks, this one is a winner!  PT, who has got to be one of the smoothest jazz harmonica players I have ever heard, put together a great group of musicians and recorded a superb line up of tunes that exemplify his style.  The CD opens with PTs swingin' tribute to Sweets Edison and "There Is No Greater Love" and grooves on thru, featuring tunes like "Out of Nowhere", a beautiful rendition of "My Romance", and the swingin' hard "K. M. Blues".  PT has hit the sweet spot on this record!  Bravo my friend!!