Sep 30 2011

Stay and Play Gold Practical Pre-School Award 2011

Stay and Play Gold

I am happy to announce that this album won a gold award this year!  I was musical director, co-producer and keyboard player when we recorded it June 2010.  Wendy and Janet and the Kids Music Company are a true force to be reckoned with when it comes to musical education for children.  Thanks guys!

Mark

The Practical Pre-School Awards exist to identify and reward excellence in the fields of educational equipment, childcare and books and toys, suitable for early years and key stage 1 children, for use in professional childcare and educational settings.

These settings include private and state nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups, childminders, after-school clubs, reception classes and infant schools.

According to psychologist Dr Amanda Gummer, of FUNdamentals: ‘A child’s early years are a rapid period of change; the child is developing quickly and needs access to different things at different times. ‘Children themselves, therefore, are crucial to the stringent testing process. As well as a scrupulous panel of practitioners, their input was key in testing every one of the products. And the testing has been tough, as it should be. Each product entered was tested in at least two separate settings by children and their carers.

Each setting has marked and provided a detailed evaluation of the performance of the product, against set criteria. This included key elements, such as appeal to children at both the start and end of the trial, durability, adaptability, educational value, play value, value for money, and many others. An impressive score of 90 per cent or more was needed for products to attain the much-coveted Gold Award, 80 to 89 per cent was required for silver, and 70 to 79 per cent for bronze.

Stay and Play Gold


Sep 30 2011

Mango Tango, Silver Practical Pre-School Award 2010

Stay and Play Gold

I am happy to announce that Mango Tango (2009) album won a silver award last year! I was musical director, co-producer and keyboard player when we recorded it November 2009. Wendy and Janet and the Kids Music Company are a true force to be reckoned with when it comes to musical education for children. Thanks guys!

Mark

The Practical Pre-School Awards exist to identify and reward excellence in the fields of educational equipment, childcare and books and toys, suitable for early years and key stage 1 children, for use in professional childcare and educational settings.

These settings include private and state nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups, childminders, after-school clubs, reception classes and infant schools.

According to psychologist Dr Amanda Gummer, of FUNdamentals: ‘A child’s early years are a rapid period of change; the child is developing quickly and needs access to different things at different times. ‘Children themselves, therefore, are crucial to the stringent testing process. As well as a scrupulous panel of practitioners, their input was key in testing every one of the products. And the testing has been tough, as it should be. Each product entered was tested in at least two separate settings by children and their carers.

Each setting has marked and provided a detailed evaluation of the performance of the product, against set criteria. This included key elements, such as appeal to children at both the start and end of the trial, durability, adaptability, educational value, play value, value for money, and many others. An impressive score of 90 per cent or more was needed for products to attain the much-coveted Gold Award, 80 to 89 per cent was required for silver, and 70 to 79 per cent for bronze.

Mango Tango Silver


Sep 22 2011

The musical quotations of Brad Mehldau

Musical quotation is the practice of directly quoting another work in a new composition. The quotation may be from the same composer’s work (self-referential), or from a different composer’s work (appropriation). – (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_quotation).

Jazz musicians often utilise musical quotation.  Here is a list of the musical quotations heard in my ‘Mehldau 16′ album collection.  All measures have been take to ensure that this list is as accurate as possible however please let me know if you think I have missed one or two!

1.  Angst quoted at the end of My Romance, Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995
2.  Cry Me a River quoted (2m38s) on a Prelude to a Kiss, Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995
3.  Blame it on my Youth quoted (3m20s) on I Fall in Love to Easily, Art of the Trio Volume 1, 1997
4.  Misterioso quoted (9m03s) on Monk’s Dream, Art of the Trio Volume 2, 1998
5.  Peanut Vendor (5m13s) and Misterioso (9m) quoted on The Way you Look Tonight, Art of the Trio Volume 2, 1998
6.  My Romance (3m) quoted on Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Art of the Trio Voume 3, 1998
7.  My Favourite Things (12m51s) quoted on All the Things You Are, Art of the Trio Volume 4, 1999
8.  All the Things You Are (3m46s) and the famous now generic bebop lick (4m50s) quoted on Solar, Art of the Trio 4, 1999
9.  Sleigh Ride – Leroy Anderson (5m13s) quoted on The Folks Who Live on the Hill, Art of the Trio 5, 2001
10.  Cry Me a River  (7m24s) quoted on Secret Love, Art of the Trio Volume 5, 2001
11.  It’s Alright with Me (3m42s) quoted on Memory’s Tricks, Elegiac Cycle, 1999
12.  Resignation (5m16s and 7m06s) quoted on Ruckblick, Elegiac Cycle, 1999
13.  Sublation (2m57s) and Summertime (3m31s) quoted on Madrid, Places, 2000
14.  It Ain’t Necessarily So (1m34s) quoted on You’re Vibing Me, Largo, 2004
15.  Blue and Green (1m56s) quoted on Alvarado, Largo, 2004
16.  I Love You Porgy (3m34s) quoted on I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face, Anything Goes, 2004
17.  Blame it on my Youth (5m29s) quoted on Someone to Watch Over Me, Live in Tokyo, 2004
18.  Sunny Side of the Street (1m48s) and Peanuts theme tune by Charles Mingus (3m03s) quoted on Monk’s Dream, Live in Tokyo, 2004
19.  Martha My Dear (11m20s) quoted on Paranoid Android, Like in Tokyo, 2004
20.  Peanuts theme tune by Charles Mingus (4m07s) quoted on No Moon at all, Day is Done, 2005
21.   Fascinating Rhythm (3m50s) quoted on Fear and Trembling, House on Hill, 2006
22.  Fascinating Rhythm (1m43s and 2m32s) quoted on Ruby’s Rub, Live, 2008
23.  Misterioso (3m38s) quoted on B-Flat Waltz, Live, 2006
24.  Cry Me a River (4m11s) quoted on The Very Thought of You, Live, 2006
25.  Misterioso (57s) and generic bebop lick(5m25s, 7m10s and 7m47s) quoted on Buddha Realm, Live, 2006
26.  Generic bebop lick‘ (3m36s) quoted on Fit Cat, Live, 2006
27.  Sir Duke horn line (5m02s) and Misterioso (9m02s) quoted on C.T.A, Live,2006
28.  Lennie Tristano phrases (exact source still to be found) (3m53s and 5m03s) quoted on More Than You Know, Live, 2006
29.  Generic bebop lick‘ (2m41s, 3m31s and 4m35s) quoted on Trailer Park Ghost, Live in Marciac, 2011
30.  Sugar (2m24s) quoted on Dat Dere, Live in Marciac, 2011


Sep 22 2011

Brad Mehldau 16 Album ‘must-have’ Discography

This list comprises of a collection of albums released by Brad Mehldau that I am using as source material to help solidify my doctoral concept.  It consists of 16 albums (168 tracks) and has been limited using the following criteria:-

1.  Physical Releases only
2.  USA releases only (no Japanese versions)
3.  No collaborative projects
4.  No compilations / soundtracks
5.  No original soundtrack recordings
6.  No promotional CD’s
4.  No ‘sideman’ projects
5.  No ‘through-composed’ projects (e.g. Mehldau’s ‘Operatic’ work)
6.  Official releases only (no bootlegs (e.g. Live at the Stockholm concert-house)
7.  Audio-only releases (no DVD’s)
This broad cross-section of music spans 15 years, from 1995 to 2011 and contains all of Mehldau’s solo and ensemble projects, as well as many albums recorded using various trio personnel.  Whilst I won’t rule out the very likely possibility of evaluating Mehldau’s stylistic innovations via collaborative albums such as projects recorded with Pat Metheny, Mark Turner, Lee Konitz, Joshua Redman, Peter Bernstein, Avishai Cohen, Wayne Shorter, Chris Potter, John Scofield, Charles Lloyd, Michel Brecker, and Kurt Rosenwinkel, I feel it is wise to first focus on projects that I feel Mehldau has had full artist control over.

Album List

1.  Introducing Brad Mehldau, 1995, Warner Bros
2.  Art of the Trio Volume 1, 1997, Warner Bros.
3.  Art of the Trio Volume 2 (Live at the Village Vanguard), 1998, Warner Bros.
4.  Art of the Trio Volume 3 (Songs), 1998, Warner Bros.
5.  Art of the Trio Volume 4 (Back at the Vanguard), 1999, Warner Bros.
6.  Elegiac Cycle, 1999, Warner Bros.
7.  Places, 2000, Warner Bros.
8.  Art of the Trio Volume 5 (Progression), 2001, Warner Bros.
9.  Largo, 2002, Warner Bros.
10. Anything Goes, 2004, Warner Bros.
11.  Live in Tokyo, 2004, Nonesuch Records
12.  Day is Done, 2005, Nonesuch Records
13.  House on Hill, 2006, Nonesuch Records
14.  Live, 2008, Nonesuch Records
15.  Highway Rider, 2010, Nonesuch Records
16.  Live in Marciac, 2011, Nonesuch Records


Aug 31 2011

My Harpsichord’s musical hall of fame!

Yesterday I received a call from Roundhead Studios.  It wasn’t a call for session work or anything utilising my skills as a musician, but instead a request to hire my harpsichord for studio work again.  This isn’t the first time my ‘Moermans 1584′ single manual harpsichord has been needed for a session.  Last year Anika Moa used the instrument on her 2010 album ‘Love in Motion’.  The year before it was used by Roundhead Studios in recording a young artist called Seth Haapu.  Haapu has just released his self entitled debut album this month.  This time, the artist benefitting from this Baroque-styled instrument is Neil Finn, the owner of Roundhead Studios.  Finn is using the keyboard for his own recording project, it will be in the studio this week while I am on tour with Tim Beveridge.  Later in the year the harpsichord is scheduled to be recorded by kiwi rock band Elemeno P, this time however I will be playing it as well.

Specifications are listed below:-

1990 Hubbard after Moermans 1584, Single Manual Harpsichord – A great sounding instrument, designed to be portable and used as a ‘gigging’ keyboard.


Jun 9 2011

Playing @ Glastonbury Festival, UK, June 22-26 2011

Glastonbury Festival

Playing with King Kapisi’s live unit currently comprising of :-

King Kapisi
Teremoana Rapley
Pos (Pacific Underground)
Dee (Cydel)
Te Whainoa (Cornerstone Roots)
& Myself….

Really looking forward to this gig, I have always wanted to play at Glastonbury festival since I was young! Good chance to see the family too…

I know its a long shot but we are playing 24th and 26th June, will I see you there?

Line up is below, thanks Mark

Glastonbury Festival


Jun 9 2011

On Tour with Tim Beveridge July/ August/ September 2011

Tim Beveridge Vegas Tour

In a tribute to the golden years of Las Vegas entertainment, Tim Beveridge is bringing a taste of glamour to the heartland this winter in a feel-good nationwide tour of his production ‘Vegas’.

Supported by the stunning Diamond Showgirls and the swinging sound of the live-on-stage Neophonic Orchestra, Mr Beveridge will be leading this stunning and talented cast of dancers and musicians over 20 dates debuting in Canterbury on 26 July.

“We’re hoping ‘Vegas’ will provide a welcome touch of excitement and a little escape for people right round NZ after a tough couple of years. We’re going to take our audiences back to the ‘Swinging Vegas’ era of its heyday when Sinatra and his Ratpack ruled the town through to the stunning cabarets as inspired by the Folies Bergère,” says Beveridge.

The season will kick off in Christchurch with five performances in the specially constructed Celebration theatre. The theatre is a uniquely designed European Marquee which producer, Ben McDonald has imported specifically for Christchurch. He is confident the show will be bursting with “crackingly good, full houses.”

Choreographer Emma McLachlan, states that the Diamond Showgirls’ stunning costumes and choreography will make for a memorable show in true Las Vegas style.

The Diamond Showgirls have collaborated with Beveridge before and McLachlan believes, “the show will be a big extravaganza, with all the typical showgirl beauty, dramatic costumes created exclusively by in-house designers and loads of sparkle. We’re looking forward to such a fantastic opportunity to showcase the art we love.”

With swinging songs, a talented band and beautiful showgirls, the tour wraps up in Tauranga early September, so there is no excuse to miss this dazzling performance.

 

 


Jun 8 2011

Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright – Lead Sheet

For Jan who requested this leadsheet, its basically the version that I play from with the suspended sound and the chromatic syncopated turnaround.  Enjoy anyone who wants it!

Thanks Mark

Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright – Lead Sheet

 


May 15 2011

‘University Years’ 8th Note Studies

I wrote these studies when I was an undergraduate at the New Zealand School of Music over the course of 3 years.  Basically they are idiomatic prepared pieces designed to demonstrate the knowledge and application of the jazz vocabulary acquired at different stages of the degree.   My aim at the time was musicality and playability over technicality.  Some of these exercises include analysis but most just contain the written improvisation and accompanying chords.  Please feel free to download, play and get what you can from each exercise, the level will vary from piece to piece as some are written very early on in my degree.

All The Things You Are 8th Note Study

Autumn Leaves 8th Note Study

Bebop Scale Phrase

Caravan 8th Note Study

Cherokee 8th Note Study

Diminished Scales Phrases

Donna Lee 8th Note Study

Donna Lee Reharmonisation

F Blues 8th Note Study

Giant Steps Bergonzi Study

Just Friends 8th Note Study

Rhythm Changes 8th Note Study

Rhythm Changes 8th Note 2 Study

Solar 8th Note Study

Stella 8th Note Study

Stella 8th Note 2 Study

 

 

 


May 15 2011

What Is This Thing Called Love – Keith Jarrett Transcription

A transcription of the solo from Keith Jarrett’s intro to What Is This Called Love, found on the album called Whisper Not.

What Is This Thing Called Love – Keith Jarrett Transcription