Posts filed under ‘6-string bass’
Mainstream
“Mainstream” is an original “smooth jazz” tune. I recently came across the original lead sheet I made for this, and got a bit of a shock. I wrote this FORTY F***ING YEARS AGO!!!. The genre classification “smooth jazz” hadn’t even emerged yet in 1979, even though George Benson pretty much set the table for it with his “Breezin” LP. It was derisively called “Fuzak” back then.
The Lady in my Life
This is my cover of “The Lady in my Life”, written by Rod Temperton, which was first released as a track on Michael Jackson’s album “Thriller” in 1982. It was one of only two tracks on the album to NOT be released as a single. However, countless other artists have covered it.
You Must Be
“You Must Be” is an experiment. Having just finished it, I’m not sure how I think it turned out. Perhaps you can let me know what you think.
The track is something of a mashup of several of my major influences: Smooth Jazz, Jazz Fusion, 80’s Pop Ballads, and Hank Marvin with the Shadows.
One World One Word
“One World One Word” is an original, instrumental smooth-jazz ballad. For many years, smooth jazz and fusion were the main styles in which I worked. If you visit my artist page at CD Baby, you can see some of the albums I released over the years. You might also try my artist page on Spotify.
Chuloe
“Chuloe” is a rumination and tribute to jazz guitarist/composer/producer Chuck Loeb, who passed away from cancer earlier this week.
Although I don’t consider him a major influence on my own work, I was an enormous admirer of his. One of the hallmarks of his music — no matter his role — was a perfect balance of taste, clarity, and virtuosity.
I will miss him.
Smooth Shadow
“Smooth Shadow” is an original instrumental that combines two of the styles in which I work. The harmonic and rhythmic setting is like a smooth jazz or 80’s ballad, while the melody is a bit more simple…in a sixties guitar style similar to Hank Marvin of the Shadows.
Big Hairy Year
“Big Hairy Year” is an original jazz/rock/funk/fusion composition.
I decided on the this title because 2017 is a major milestone year for me in a number of ways:
1. My wife and I both turn 65
2. It is the 100th anniversary of my father’s birth
3. I am retiring this year
4. I got my first black belt in Karate 10 years ago ( I am now a 4th degree master)
5. My father passed away 15 years ago
6. My mother passed away 10 years ago
Funk Fugue
“Funk Fugue” is an original jazz/rock fusion composition.
It really is a traditional fugue with its form and construction based on J.S. Bach. It opens with a solo presentation of the fugue subject in the tonic key of G. This is followed by the subject in the dominant key of D, accompanied by a counter-subject. The exposition concludes with a return to the tonic, again with the counter subject.
A brief development section follows: a sequence built from the first half of the fugue subject & counter subject.
The next appearance of the fugue subject (again with counter subject) is in the relative minor (Em), followed by another sequence built from the first half of the fugue subject & counter subject, this time starting in the subdominant minor.
The next section begins in the dominant key of D, and the fugue subject appears (without counter subject). Halfway through, the fugue subject appears in another voice, forming a “stretto” — or overlapping of the fugue subject with itself. This continues for two more statements of the fugue subject.
Another development section follows: again a sequence built from the first half of the fugue subject & counter subject.
The fugue concludes with a statement of the subject — with counter subject — in the tonic.
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