Click here to view the embedded video.

Following up from Mango Tango that was released earlier in the year, I am proud to announce the release of two subsequent albums aimed for younger age groups. ‘Stay and Play’ is aimed at children aged 2-4 and ‘Swing this Way’ is written for 0-2 year olds. Musicians involved in these albums include Lance Bentley, Alex Griffiths, Dixon Nacey, Andrew Lynch, Ambrose Splescia and Chris Nielson.

I was contracted as Musical Director and Co-Producer for these projects as well as keyboard player.

Play with imagination, play with friends, and play with instruments. Join us in the world of turtles, teddies, traffic lights, toothbrushes, tunnels and tigers to stimulate movement, imagination, language and learning. Topics include ideas important in the life of a young child: my body, my home, games, colours, numbers, friends, food, animals, playing instruments, shapes, routines, toys, and (the very important) physical movement.
Play is a child’s work. Through play, children develop in all essential learning areas: motor, auditory, language, social, musical, visual, memory, and creativity. Have fun with this music, knowing that your child’s learning is being reinforced and supported. Essential fully interactive repertoire for everyone aged 2 to 4 years.

Young babies listen from inside the womb. At birth their hearing is fully developed and they are ready to enjoy music in the big wide world. This CD brings a nurturing collection of new music to support your baby’s growth and development, while enhancing the relationship between you and your little one. These songs encourage Baby’s involvement in eye-tracking, tickle games, bouncing songs, peek-a-boo games and lullabies.
Babies will become more aware of their bodies; develop movement, language and communication skills, all while having fun. This music will help you share the adventure of learning with your little one during this important developmental period. Essential fully-interactive repertoire for everyone aged 0 to 3 years, and the big people who care for them.

Kids Music Company – Winners of Multiple International Awards for Excellence in Children’s Music for the past 7 years.
Supporting children’s growth and development through music and movement activities. Our aim is to provide holistic music education for children in a fun and supportive environment. We achieve this through our classes for 1-9 year olds and in the production of our quality resources.

I am now playing with Black Sand Diva at the Samoa 2010 Jazz and Blues festival. This should be great fun, the band is fantastic and includes Jason Orme (Drums) and Ben Turua (Bass). The details of this event are listed here, thanks Mark

Samoa bout to party!
The beautiful island nation of Samoa will be the backdrop to world class jazz, blues and soul music over 3 days in November in a range of venues across Upolu Island at the Samoa 2010 International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Held over three days from 12-14 November, the festival is guaranteed to provide the perfect ‘chilled out’ holiday vibe, with a line-up that includes leading jazz and blues musicians from New Zealand, Australia, England and the United States – not to mention talented local bands and entertainers.

Among the international artists included are renowned musicians Ian Moss, Billy TK Jnr (Kiwi guitar hero), Hammond Gamble, Tony Painting (UK blues guitarist), Phil Broadhurst (internationally acclaimed jazz pianist), LA crooner, Diana Harris and a total of 20 bands!

The Minister of Samoa Tourism Hon, Misa Telefoni comments, ‘This event is a first for Samoa and we are proud to welcome world class musicians and guests to our island paradise for the festival.’

Festival Director Billy Te Kahika adds, ‘Samoa is the perfect place to hold a festival like this. I’m excited about the musicians coming and the beautiful destination that will host our festival guests – it’s an amazing project!’

All festival venues will be featuring jazz and blues acts concurrently.

Samoa’s stunning tropical scenery makes a wonderful backdrop for the festival – both Upolu and Savai’i are fringed by magnificent coral reefs and lagoons. There are also some great activities to keep you entertained, so when you’re not busy taking in the sights and sounds of the festival, you can enjoy the snorkelling at Apia’s Palolo Deep National Marine Reserve, have some fun at the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, or check out the island’s fantastic diving and fishing.

Better yet, come over early and you can spend a few days exploring Upolu, and enjoying all it has to offer! So make sure you book yourself some ‘free’ time to come and enjoy ‘Music for the Soul in the Heart of Paradise’.

Orquesta Amadeus is the country’s only authentic orquesta tipica cubana, or Cuban charanga band. The charanga movement gave birth to the classic Cuban rhythms and dances, the mambo and the cha cha cha, the origins of what we now call “salsa”. The musical roots stretch back as far as Africa, France and Spain, referencing both the classical and folk traditions. Orquesta Amadeus interprets the passionate melodies and rhythms of this genre and the skilled interweaving of tradition and improvisation means that the music is fresh, exciting and new, while authentically expressing the 1940’s and 50’s Havana style. Orquestra Amadeus received a standing ovation at the Tauranga Jazz Festival for their Performance.

As part of my MMus and in collaboration with Auckland University, I am holding a concert to trial compositions as part of an originals album to be recorded next month. The trio features myself, Jason Orme on drums and Aaron Coddel on Bass. The concert is to be held Sunday 22nd August from 5pm at the KMC on Shortland St. Why don’t you come along if you feel like supporting some original improvised music. The album is most likely to be entitled “Song” and hopes to meet the challenges involved in writing music that appeals to more than just a jazz audience. There will also be a formal recital later in the year and an album release party, these dates have yet to be set.  Hopefully see you there!

Thanks, Mark

I though I would share it with you as it sums up in 2 pages what sometimes takes a whole chapter (or book) to cover.

Enjoy, Mark

Rootless Voicings Explained

This discography contains the complete recordings of Brad Mehldau in chronological order. The discography is divided in several parts:

1. As a leader / solo
2. As a co-leader / collaborations
3. As a sideman
4. As a guest (appearing on 2-4 tracks)
5. Compilations and soundtracks
6. Original soundtrack recordings
7. Miscellaneous (promotional CDs, etc.)

Last updated: 20.06.2010

http://www.linge.de/music/records/mehldau/index.html

This album is aimed at children between the ages of 3-8 and is one of three yearly projects that  will involve a collaboration between the Kids Music Company and myself.  For more information about buying this album and child musical education in general please visit www.kidsmusic.co.nz and www.kidsmusiccompany.com.

Join the mango, watermelon and their juicy friends for some healthy fun; guaranteed to get you moving.  Rap with King Kapisi as you try to co-ordinate a one-sided dance.  Play shadows, drive a digger, dance with the dinosaurs and cook a healthy breakfast for a giant.  Bulldozers, birthdays, bubbles, balls, bananas and baked beans blend with hoedown, rock, reggae, swing, tango, hip-hop and electronica. The huge variety of musical styles keeps children and adults (alike) entertained. Learning is made more fun.

I hope you all had a great holiday,  I have uploaded 7 new video tracks recorded this year that can be found on www.youtube.com/mebaynes. Songs included Standards, Brad Mehldau and even some Bob Dylan!

The Watch page of my website now has new video content so have a look if you like!

Cheers Mark

Tim just completed editing his DVD “The Music is Bond… James Bond” from our recent concert in Auckland and it’s looking (thanks Vaughan and Miri) and sounding (cheers Pete) FANTASTIC.

You can check it out by clicking on the following youtube link for a small selection of the performances from Tina Cross, Taisha, Caitlin Smith, Melissa Nordhaus and the Neophonic Orchestra.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B0A206D3C0AC0175