Wow!  I've been learning Dave Brubeck's "Take Five"...one of the greatest jazz pieces ever written.  I love it.  I "found my groove" in it, and am really having a blast with it.  I'm also learning "In Crowd" by Ramsey Lewis, another brilliant jazz piece.  And here I add another wow!  I can't sit still when I play these...the rhythyns ... make me just move to the music.  Whew! 

Oh wow!  The Clearwater Jazz Festival this year (2013) had some amazing musicians: Chicago, Average White Band, Tower of Power...etc.  Tonight was the last night, and it was wonderful...Brandi Carlile and her band performed...she sang a mix of folk songs, rock, original compositions, etc.  I'd never heard of her before and I was so wonderfully entertained by her.  What a GREAT artist she is.  This was really a GREAT festival and I thank the city of Clearwater for presenting it for us, in Coachman Park, overlooking the still glassy like waters and docks. 

I found Brandi really inspirational, and her mix of music is GREAT! 

Have mastered "Take Five" by Paul Desmond and Dave Brubeck.  Am now working on "The In Crowd" by Ramsey Lewis...another tune from my younger years. Great rhythm. Remarkable piece.  Will also learn Chick Corea's Spain...!  And then on and on and on! 

Also considering returning to my roots.  Although I began playing piano on a cardboard keyboard, and learned classical, until my parents could buy a piano...beginning like this really helped me develop my imagination.  Try it sometime.  It's fun!  As a young adult I took up the guitar and was a folksinger, and played around the peninsula south of San Francisco.  One year, at the Palo Alto United Nations Day event put on by the city of Palo Alto, after my performance a few teenagers asked me for my autograph,..calling me ."Miss Baez.,"  They thought I was Joan Baez.  That was when I had a high voice, as did she.  Quite a compliment, and I never forgot it. 

Any of you have any favorite folk music tunes?  If so, please let me know.  Considering singing again, only this time with a piano.  Send me the names of folk music songs that you love...please!

Love to hear from you.  Best, Jerrye

No title tonight.

I don't know if this is related to being a musician or what, but I usually awaken about 3:00 a.m. and then play piano for an hour or three.  I have some of my most creative moments at this time. I have met other musicians who do this, too.  

It is so quiet and peaceful during those hours except for the birds.  When I play the piano the birds sing along. And they talk to each other. Did you know that birds are telepathic? No kidding!

Skipping to another subject, am currently learning some songs of the sixties...brings back memories of those times.  The Beatles were a new group, and as you know, they changed the face of music forever.  When I first heard them, they sounded like extraterrestrials with indigestion from another planet, but then I "got their groove,"  so to speak. Used to play a Beatles record (they were records back then) and dance to the music, often with a friend, waving star jasmine boughs , twirling around and laughing.  Entertainment on a warm summer's day. Fun.

Still like to dance.  Do you?

"It is fun to have fun. You have to know how."  Dr. Seuss wrote this, and it is still one of my favorite sayings. My favorite definitions come from a children's book: "A Hole is to Dig", which includes some of these definitions: "A tablespoon is to eat a table with."  "The sun is so it can be a great day." "Mashed potatoes are to give everybody enough."    To which I add..."Improvisation is to create unexpected beauty."

Been having a blast improvising.  Took a section of Claire de Lune and improvised upon it, and wow!  So beautiful!  Claire de Lune is beautiful musical poetry written by a French composer, Debussy.  It is poetry because it flows so beautifully, and when played, the listener often experiences serenity and beauty.  I have observed this in every performance where I have played it.  When playing one always wants to create a wonderful effect in the listener, as what is the purpose of performing music but to transport the listener to a higher emotional plateau...!  Rhythm is also a good way to do this.  Latin, jazz, boogie, rock, etc., cause you to want to MOVE, and I do mean MOVE to the music.  Wonderful experience. The troubles of this planet fade away as one listens to music, and really, music speaks to the spirit, the soul, which is the real truth of life.  All for now.  J.

Today was quite a day for me...in the middle of the night I began playing a riff with my left hand...a jazz riff that I created  spontaneously.  Then I played with it and came up with "You Must Remember This..."  a song from somewhere in an elusive past that slid away one day.  I played it jazz style, with jazz chords (beautiful jazz chords...they are beautiful!) and syncopated, i.e. kind of in between the beats of the left hand.  It was exquisite, if you pardon my saying so.

There's something about creating ... it's a natural high.  Give it a try!  You'll love it!  And I sincerely believe each of us, natively, is creative as a native state of being. Step back from the universe and you'll see what I mean, and do a tap dance while you're at it.  Just playing now.  :D

Today is Saturday...hot dawg!  Met a lovely woman from Trinidad originally, now from L.A.....Patricia.  She had always wanted to learn to play piano but was never able to do so.  I spent about 3-4 hours with her and wow!  Was able to show her how this is a create.  She got it! She's now very happy about this and we ended up at Sam Ash Clearwater so I could show her which keyboard to buy when she gets back to L.A.  She fully intends to do this now, and I'm so happy for her.  We broke thru all of her self invalidation, etc., and wow!  She also has a pretty singing voice.  You go, girl, if you're reading this Patricia! 

Also ... I've nearly got "Take Five" mastered...just smoothing it out now.  What a winning endeavor this is turning out to be.  Thank you to all of you who have emailed me regarding this.  Best, Jerrye
P.S. Have a great weekend!

Wow!  Chick Corea is giving a concert in Clearwater, Florida with one helluva terrific banjo player on August 23rd...the day before my birthday!  Of course I am going!  Chick is a genius...have been listening to 2 albums of his recently..."The Continents Concerto for Jazz Quintet & Chamber Orchestra", and "Corea, Clarke & White, Forever".  What a mind blower. He continues to amaze me. Can hardly wait to hear him in August.

I am really bent on learning "Take Five" by Paul Desmond, and played by Dave Brubeck's group.  This is really an exquisite piece of music, but whew!  It is very difficult, and possibly the most difficult piece I have ever tried to master.  One of my friends, also a pianist, told me she actually swore while learning this piece. I am learning it in the original key...Eb minor.  Take a look at a keyboard, and you'll see the black keys. Where there are two black keys, the second one is Eb.  There are actually 6 flats in this piano piece, which means it's played mostly on the black keys.  Very rich tones. Anyone else learn this yet?  If so, wow! Isn't it sweet!    j.