Day 3

The Psychosis is setting in earlier this year...

Another whirlwind day at IAJE.  I hear some great research presentations this morning.  Of particular note were Tyler Kuebler's presentation on Michael Brecker's improvisatory language and Matt Pivec's talk about Trane's motivic development c. 1959-63.  My favorite period of Trane's evolution was 1960- 67 and the elements Matt isolated translate very well into looking at Trane's language from that time.  Matt and I had a really nice talk after and I hope to keep in touch with him.  Tyler's presentation on Brecker was some of the best analysis I have ever seen.  He broke things down into the digital patterns, triads, seventh chords etc and was very organized.  I think I'll have to purchase the IAJE Research Proceedings this year just for these two papers.  On a slightly different note, we still have tomorrow to get through but other than Tyler's paper I have neither seen nor heard any discussion of any kind of remembrance of Mike.  I know that I will forever link his passing with this conference.  One can hope...

The next big thing was the panel discussion on blogging.  The panelists consisted of DJA, Carl Wilson, David Ryshpan, David Adler, and Neil Tesser.  There were good discussions and questions.  The major point I took away from the panel is that what I am doing here is an unqualified good thing.  Despite the, as Brother Carl would say, Billions and Billions of blogs out there, there are an obscenely few about jazz.  "From each according to his abilities..." I throw my hat into the ring.  I also met bassist, blogger, fellow traveler and all around nice guy Matthew Wengerd.  Check out his blog, 104 Weeks, here.  As for his very complementary comments about my content so far...wait until I get tired!  LOL cats will invade...

At 5:00 there was a very good arranging session on writing intros, shout choruses and endings. Mike Tomaro and John Wilson gave a nice advance look at their upcoming book.  It looks like a must get.  I know my students always have the hardest time with these elements because they require the most creativity.  Mike and John show some effective processes to get good material with a minimum of angst.

I'm currently back in my room; resting my ears and clearing my head.  I am sneaking away from the conference tonight to hear Lieb.  He is at The Rex @ 9:30.  If you are here, COME!!!  If you know Lieb's playing, the fact he is doing a gig should be all the persuading you need.  If David Liebman is a new name for you, you must hear this cat and his best work is always live.

Watch this space for a post-hang update on Lieb's hit...