StickNews Digest Issue #273 - 04/14/05
An online digest about The Chapman StickŪ published by Jim Reilly.Please send your posts and responses here: sticknews@stick.com
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Archives of previous Sticknews Digests can be found at sticknews/archives.
CONTENTS:
INTRO
- Opportunities abound.
- BC Seminar
- Midwest Seminar
- German Stick Players take centre stage.
- Darktown Saints are right behind them.
- Live Stick from coast to coast.
- A couple of ways to spend all that extra gig money.
- Steve Adelson
- Chris Crain
- Ron Baggerman's
- A Don Schiff Story X 3.
- Glenn Poorman explores the Ether.
THE FIRST EIGHT
Hello All,
Happy Springtime! I love spring - birds singing, days getting longer, everything turning green and fresh again. Maybe it's because I do live in Canada and we actually get winters up here but there just seems to be a sense of optimism and potential that rolls around every spring that just doesn't seem to happen during the rest of the year.
Maybe that's it. Maybe it's all about potential. Looking at my Stick calendar reinforces that notion, specifically two big events: Jim Meyer's Seminar on the West Coast and Glenn Poorman's in the East. Both these guys know how to put on an event and I'm looking forward to both of them.
Stick Enterprises is full of new things too. If you haven't had a chance to check out the new pressed bamboo Sticks or the Alto Stick, head over to stick.com for a look. I played the bamboo Stick extensively at the NAMM show and gigged at the Stick Night with it and I have to say it sounds and plays great. The only way I can describe it in both sound and feel is between the hardwood instruments and the graphite: very solid, very responsive. As for the Alto Stick, it is truly a new, rich, exciting Stick voice. One of the highlights of the NAMM show were the duets Greg Howard did playing the Alto, first with Tom Griesgraber, then with Emmett.
Lots of new stuff below too: gig announcements, new music, lessons, even some information about the German Stick players compilation CD "Sticky Licks". I was lucky enough to pick up a copy and was really impressed by sound, musicianship and overall talent on display.
Once again there's no shortage of Stick stuff going on, I'll be travelling around and taking part in as much as I can. Hope to see you there.
Take care,
Jim
EVENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MORE WAYS TO SPEND YOUR MONEY
From: Jim Meyer [jmeyer@parallaxinteractive.com]
Subject: The 2005 Western Canada Stick Retreat
Date: Mon 11/04/2005
The 2005 Western Canada Stick Retreat
Start: Friday, May 13 at 9:00am
End: Sunday May 15
Gabriola Island, British Columbia (near Vancouver)
Instructors: Greg Howard and Jim Reilly
Beautiful Setting - Group and individual instruction - lots of opportunities to play.
This year's Stick Retreat is an opportunity for Stick players of all levels to spend 3 days in the beautiful surroundings of the Gulf Islands, focussing on all things Stick. Veteran performers and instructors Greg Howard and Jim Reilly return to help you move your playing to the next level. They'll run us through some rudiments and finger exercises, talk some music theory and song structure, and give us tips on performing. AND everyone gets a private lesson! To prevent overload, this year's schedule also includes time between sessions to review of practice what has been presented, so you can grab your headphone amp and head for the woods or down to the beach!
We'll settle in to the Haven Retreat on Gabriola on Thursday evening to set things up, then we'll have 3 days of group and private instruction, and 3 nights of Stick music.
On Friday evening, Greg and Jim R. perform at the White Hart Pub to show us how it's done. Then on Saturday evening, all attendees are encouraged to join in on the Stick Night. This is a great opportunity to test out a few tunes and put Greg and Jim's performance tips into action. The owner of the White Hart pub has fully embraced the Stick retreat, and has asked us to takeover the Sunday jam as well. This gives us unprecedented performance opportunities at a Stick seminar!
For more info, check out www.parallaxinteractive.com/stick or contact Jim Meyer at jmeyer@parallaxinteractive.com
........................................
Parallax Interactive, Ltd.
39219-3695 W. 10th Ave.
Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1
Canada
www.parallaxinteractive.com
........................................
> -------------------------------------------------------- From: Glenn Poorman [glenn.poorman@autodesk.com]
Subject: 2005 Midwest Stick Seminar
Date: Fri 01/04/2005
It gives me great pleasure to officially announce the 2005 Midest Stick Seminar. This year's event will take place at Oz's Music in Ann Arbor, MI over the weekend of June 3-5.
This year's instructors will be Greg Howard and Bob Culbertson. These guys are world-class performers and teachers who both bring 50 years of experience between them to the table. The last time they were both here, we had a record turnout here in Michigan that culminated in arguably the best "Stick Night" performances anyone had ever seen up to that point.
The event will start with a half day meet and greet and setup talk on Friday at 1:00PM and continue with two full days of instruction on Saturday and Sunday (10:00AM to 5:00PM).
Performances will include an evening at the Firefly Club on Saturday featuring Greg and Bob with short appearances by myself and Steve 'Oz' Osburn. On Sunday evening, there will be a "Stick Night" in the new performance space adjacent to Oz's Music with a stage open to anyone who wants to perform.
Fee for attending is $180US if you sign up before May 30th. The fee goes up to $200US if you sign up after. The fee includes the seminar and Sunday night's Stick Night. The fee DOES NOT include cover for the Firefly Club on Saturday.
You can register by sending check or money order to:
Oz's Music
1920 Packard
Ann Arbor, Michigan
48104
You can also pay by credit card calling Oz's at 734-662-8283.
I would ask that everyone who is driving bring along an amp to use if you can. When you register, please indicate whether or not you are, in fact, bringing an amp so we can get an idea of how many we need to dig up on our end.
For more details, visit the official seminar web page at www.detroitstick.com/words/events/seminar2005
These events are a great opportunity to learn more about our instrument, mingle with other players, and get instruction from the best of the best.
Hope to see you all here.
Regards,
Glenn Poorman
From: New CD: STICKY LICKS - GERMAN STICK PLAYERS COMPILATION
Subject: New CD: STICKY LICKS - GERMAN STICK PLAYERS COMPILATION
Date: Wed 16/03/2005
Without doubt there is a growing "Stick Scene" in Germany. More and more Stick players became active, there is even a German website (chapman-stick.de) with a continuously posting community and we have the annual German Stick Seminar since four years now.
This compilation CD presents 16 songs from different Stick players from Germany (and one from Austria), showing the wide diversity of their music.
The CD is available thru Stick Enterprises, Inc. (www.stickent.com) and from TP9 Records (www.knockout-music.de). A preview of the CD (sorry, no sound samples yet) can be seen here: http://www.united-beat-band.de/bass.html.
Harald Rost
From: Aaron Wolf [aaron@ozmusic.com]
Subject: CD release announcement and more
Date: Mon 11/04/2005
Greetings Stickists everywhere,
I am excited to finally announce the release of my band's debut album. My band, the "Darktown Saints" were recording in Binghamton, NY (we're from Michigan) during the summer months last year and after major delays at the mastering phase, "This" is finally completed. It is a very professional production designed to stand up alongside major label pop-radio style releases.
Check out our website, which is also completely remodelled since the last StickNews update: www.darktownsaints.com. We're taking orders online and will have the CD at all our upcoming shows.
Speaking of shows, we are planning some major traveling this summer. Some dates are verified and some are only hopeful. I am hoping to meet up with as many players as I can in our travels, so I want to let everyone know preliminary dates for our tour. If you are in an area we are coming through and possibly have any connections that might get us a place to play or even just want to meet up somehow, please let me know. We don't have a real booking agency yet, we're just traveling around using the little connections we have to try to get experience and start getting our music out there. We appreciate all the support we can get.
Here are our current plans: all of May we will be living in Binghamton and going out of there to everywhere and anywhere we can in the upstate New York / nearby east-coast region. Our producers in Binghamton have plans to get us a bunch of gigs, so we're hoping to be pretty busy.
Then we're coming back to Ann Arbor for Midwest Stick Seminar 2005 in early June. We'll be playing another show in Michigan the next week as well.
Then in June we'll be looking at possibilities including Raleigh, Chicago, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Denver, and Boulder, with a lot of specifics still in the works. We're plan to start July in Telluride and go on to Salt Lake City, July 7th-9th, Los Angeles July 11th-20th and then heading back east towards Michigan. Some of these plans (specifically Salt Lake) are dependant on our hopes to again win the district collegiate barbershop quartet contest at the end of this month (we won last year and competed in Louisville).
Some of these dates are scheduled around definite arrangements and some are more flexible. Finalized shows and details will be on the website as soon as they are absolutely set. Look for us to come through these areas, and please contact me if you have questions or want to see us come by somewhere else and can get us a place to play or sleep.
I'd love to get feedback from everyone about CD and see a good Stick turnout on this tour. This is my first time really getting out there and playing and I'm just hoping for the best.
Also, there's a free video of a solo improvised gig I did back in January at www.emich.edu/halle/fest2005 -check it out.
Thanks everyone,
-Aaron Wolf
Stickist with the Darktown Saints
www.darktownsaints.com
Teacher at Oz's Music, Ann Arbor, MI
www.ozmusic.com
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: New CD in the works
Date: Sun 27/03/2005
Not yet, but we're in preproduction. Early announcement. Jazzheads Records has asked me to record a solo project. It will actually end up being Stick with drums and/or percussion. A bonus track will be a duet between guitar phenom Ben Lacy and myself. CD should be available in the fall.
Steve A.
From: Nandav8@netscape.net
Subject: Article for Sticknews- Live Stick in PA/Calling all Stick players
Date: Fri 01/04/2005
Live Stick in PA I am continuing in my "opener" quest and really getting the Stick out to the amazed public! The wonderfully creative band, The Primatives, www.theprimativesrock.com, have made me their permanent opener and are very supportive of the Stick. Please check out their music at CDBaby.
Here's where I will be in April.
Friday, April 22nd - the Coffee Den (1082 Bower Hill Rd. in the St. Clair Shops--across from St. Clair Hospital) 8:00pm Call 412-276-3365 for more info and directions. A friendly staff and good coffee and an excellent tea selection make for a very enjoyable atmosphere. It is primarily an acoustic open stage. All ages.
Stu, at the Coffee Den, is very Stick friendly and wants a showcase night of Stick players only! Anyone interested in PA, OH, WVA, NY area or willing to travel to Pittsburgh, please contact me at Nandav8@netscape.net.
keep tappin' Dave Brosky - Pittsburgh, PA
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Ten string fest
Date: Sat 09/04/2005
Helping to promote the world of string abundance. www.tenstringguitar.com/pages/3 There is a Stick player on the schedule somewhere. Ain't it Grand?
Manny Stringz
From: Chris Crain [stickmusic@earthlink.net]
Subject: New StaffTab(tm) sheet music
Date: Mon 04/04/2005
StaffTab(tm) sheet music is now available on my site. Eleven (11) new songs have been added and the price for each is $1.75 or less. Of course, my tune "Gypsies" and "Linus & Lucy" are still free. All the arrangements are originals from my two CDs. All songs together make up my songbook, "New Standards", which is not yet available in printed form, but is available as an e-Songbook.
For those of you not familiar with my music, the song styles include melodic instrumental, jazz, and ballads. As a soloist, I believe these songs lend themselves well to study and will be fun (and sometimes challenging) to learn.
You will be familiar with the layout of these arrangements if you've acquired "Gypsies" or "Linus & Lucy" or read my article in last month's StickNews (Chopsticks). If not, the arrangements are transcribed note-for-note from my recordings and include StaffTab information for both Classic and Matched Reciprocal tunings. Even DMR tuning can be applied to the music (if the actual pitch notation is ignored). Sorry Baritone players, you will have to transpose everything.
Thank you for reading.
- Chris
www.ChrisCrain.com
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Steve Adelson's Head
Date: Sun 27/03/2005
Actually my son is selling his bass head. Gallien-Krueger 1001RB. Used twice. Lotsa' power. In the stores, after tax, we're talkin' over $800 new. He's asking $475. That's a deal. Too bad I don't need it. I already play through a combo version.Contact me privately if interested.
Steve A.
From: alcall@eznet.net
Subject: Stick for sale
Date: Sun 03/04/2005
I am planning on selling my Polycarbonate 10-string "The Grid" Stick, and am looking for a new home. The Grid is a dedicated midi-triggering Stick; it has no standard pickup. Many of you are probably familiar with it, but perhaps not -- it hasn't been made in a while.
I am interested in selling the Grid, it's "grid" fingerboard midi interface, it's strap, case, and cable. The Stick is in used condition but works well. It needs new strings. When I bought this ~ 1 1/2 yrs ago I planned on restringing it, etc., but never found the time. The strings are really old, but you can still order them from Stick Enterprises. I broke two strings by bending them (they're that old) so currently it only has 8-strings. The case is the old, old brown style case. The foam disintegrated long before I got it, and I've cut new foam but it's not a new case by any stretch.
Please note that this set-up does not include the midi device. It is simply the triggering device and the interface.
If interested, email me at alcall@eznet.net ; I can provide photos for people with serious interest.
AC
THE USUAL SUBJECTS GET YOUR FINGERS TAPPING
From: Chris Crain [stickmusic@earthlink.net]
Subject: Mission Impossible?
Date: Thu 17/03/2005
Mission. Impossible.
In the last issue, you learned "Chopsticks". The idea was to keep your right-hand busy, while you learned to use your left. Did it help? In this second of a four part series, I'm going to teach you the theme to "Mission Impossible".
Your mission, Jim (or whomever), should you decide to accept it, is to learn a new tune in 7/8 time. Your objective is to play brief phrases with your right-hand, while your left-hand keeps a groove. You will need to download these files:
Good luck. This message will.. blah, blah, blah.
(The rest of your mission, inlcuding music and mp3 can be found here.
From: SteveAFran@aol.com
Subject: Spy Null Column
Date: Fri 25/03/2005
A Stick performance and some early influences.
Coryell and McLaughlin
At next month's annual Guitar Show in Lake Grove NY, we've arranged for jazz legend Larry Coryell to be part of the festivities on the afternoon of May 21. That same evening I will be performing on a bill with Larry at Port Jazz in Port Jefferson, LI. I thought it would be fun to analyze a tune he recorded a few decades ago. "Renee's Theme" was a track on Larry's well known and big selling record "Spaces". Also appearing on that recording were special guests Chick Corea and John McLaughlin. The track we will investigate was an acoustic guitar duet with Larry and John trading fireworks.
There's really no melody to the tune. Basically it's a progression for blowing.
Here's the rest...
From: Ron Baggerman [rbaggerman@galaxygypsy.nl]
Subject: A two-handed funk bass lesson
Date: Fri: 25/04/2005
It's time to turn down the melody side and pick up your some funk chops. There's something about Stick bass in fifths - new patterns lead to new ideas, which lead to new music. Tony Levin gets it, so do countless other players. Ron Baggerman has it down too, as his latest contribution to StickNews shows.
In the following examples Ron works off a basic two-handed groove on the bass side then expands it into more complex and funkier riffs. Each audio clip plays the riff as written then drops it down and octave.
Click here for more...
NEW MUSIC ALL AROUND
From: Don Schiff [donschiff@sbcglobal.net]
Subject: An 'oddly amusing' moment
Date: Mon 07/03/2005
These moments are always delightful and 'oddly amusing' to me. After playin' last nights gig at the "Pechanga casino" with Frankie Avalon (beautiful showroom and casino/hotel) we're all hangin' out in the dressing room and so I'm standing (of course-next to the HUGE dessert tables) with Frankie and the Larry King Show comes on the TV airing a tribute to Sandra Dee (God rest her soul) with Frankie being interviewed about her.
I look at the TV, there's Frankie, I look next to me, there's Frankie watchin' Frankie on TV... (I glance at the dessert table and notice they've added a nice assortment of cheeses and fruits to the table) and then notice Frankie's son (Frank Jr.) watchin' the two Franks... Then I notice he's seein' the two Franks BUT NOW I'm seeing the THREE Franks. Now I'm thinkin' "This is what happens when you mix and eat too many desserts with fresh fruit and cheese... the proteins and amino acids must collide giving you a 'hyper sensitivity awareness'........ about nothin' really- but somehow you're marveled and amazed by it."
The story has just begun. Read more...
From: Glenn Poorman [glenn.poorman@autodesk.com]
Subject: Ether Ore
Date: Tue 05/04/2005
Greg Howard certainly has more than enough CDs under his belt to keep your average enthusiast busy for quite some time. Plus, with all the books and seminars, it's hard to imagine him finding the time to work on any new recordings. In March of 2005, however, Greg Howard celebrated twenty years of Stick playing with a blowout gig in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia as well as the release of his first record in four years "Ether Ore."
The subtitle on the cover of Ether Ore reads "Live Sonic Expeditions on the Chapman Stick." While certainly an intriguing title to the un-initiated, those who have seen Greg perform live will understand exactly what this means. On any given night, it's almost a coin toss as to which Greg Howard you're going to see. First, there's Greg the songsmith performing tunes from his plethora of earlier releases such as Stick Figures or Sol. Then there is Greg the explorer. This is a guy who is capable of simply closing his eyes, putting hands to instrument, and improvising right from the first note carrying himself and his listeners into uncharted territory.
Ether Ore provides the listener with a first hand look at the explorer side of Greg Howard with a collection of improvisations recorded live over the course of 2004. The recordings themselves are spectacular with a clarity that is better than a lot of studio recordings. The material is where it's at on this record though. It opens with the beautiful and spacey "The First Day" and then moves into the title track which starts off as ambient as the opener but then quickly makes it's way down Howard's signature avenue of twists and turns carrying the listener from the ambient to the rhythmic to the nasty along with everything in between.
In the CD's liner notes, Jim Reilly writes, "just when I'm starting to think I know where Greg is going he grabs me by the ear and takes me somewhere else." An apt description to say the least.
That's only the beginning of what Ether Ore has to offer though. As an added bonus, the new package includes a bonus DVD featuring yet another Howard improv titled "Big Bang #4965." This piece was recorded at the 2003 World Stick Seminar in San Jose and offers the viewer the visual that comes along with a Howard performance. That alone is worth the price of admission and a "must see" for Stick player and none Stick player alike.
Glenn
From: Don Schiff [donschiff@sbcglobal.net]
Subject: "A Stickservation"
Date: Mon 14/03/2005
A funny Stickservation:
I've been playing a lot of 'period' music lately meaning music that denotes a time and place in history and the Stick visually tends to stand (or Stick) out. Mind you it always sounds great but may 'look' odd to the period minded people who are involved in the particular project... case and comment: I'm silently tuning up (haven't even plugged into the amp yet) and the production manager looks over and says "Eight string bass? I haven't heard it yet and you've already played to many notes!" I loved it, very funny. Reminds me of times YEARS ago when I'd show up to a gig with a really large amp and someone would say, "You haven't turned it on yet... and you're already too loud!"
Speaking of.... Stickservations (ohhhh another invented word for me like MacRack... I always wanted to learn another language but was to lazy... so I guess I invent words to fill the void).
Anyway, I was doin' a session last week. This particular producer/percussionist wrote some of the music for the last "Matrix" (Mainly chase scenes)and so I knew I was in for some fun music. Anyway the call was for fretless bass mainly... but was asked to bring the NS as well...
The fun is just beginning. Read on...
From: Don Schiff [donschiff@sbcglobal.net]
Subject: NS/ and Lady Macbeth
Date: Sun 20/03/2005
Hello all, (quite the personal greeting - but I do mean 'you' who are reading this now... you can feel it... Ah, see that's better.)
So hey, there's a new release of _Lana Lane_ I'm on. The CD is called _Lady Macbeth_(www.thinktank.com). I just got my pre-release copy yesterday and I am taken aback by the production and quality that was put into this... It even has a video imbedded in it. It's quite the _world wide_ production as the producer -Erik Norlander-(www.eriknorlander.com) flew to Holland to record the bass, drums and guitarist, then flew back to the US to then add the vocals, keyboards, added guitarists and NS/Stick (that's where I come in).
My contribution to this project was added top side NS/Stick solos and on track 7 _The Vision_ bass side and top side as well. This session was several months ago and if I recall correctly the whole project was video-ed as well. It sure would make a great DVD should they ever find the time to compile all they shot. I know most of the players that recorded in Holland and it would be fun to see everyone's reaction as sessions progressed from country to country - studio to studio.
As an extra bonus for me - I'm very happy the label and producer took the time to list the _NS_ specifically where it was on each song. (i.e., second solo 2nd chorus or Slide solo 1st verse - etc.,) I wasn't expecting that kind of attention thrown in my direction. Believe me "That's rare indeed"... How's this for the total opposite. I did a session for (a very well know artist-no need to fling mud)and I played deluxe cool bass licks throughout the session. When the CD got released, unbeknown to me they brought in another bassist to replay all the bass parts (no big deal, I was paid well and there are many reasons why they do this) BUT they didn't erase my licks... and just listed the other bass player. "It's not always about the money, sometimes it's just the courtesy". So... to "Lana Lane, her producer and label, You're all tops in my book!"
One of my favorite things (food items of course) about Holland is what they call _Stroop Waffles". _Ya know_ it's my _Euro Donut"_ and every time I buy extra to bring home_ they never survive the trip, gone before I even get to the Amsterdam airport. Ahhhh perhaps in the DVD they could have a picture of this "Euro Donut" to give me the 'feel' of the Holland sessions.
Take care, Don
The last Tap
That's it. Till next time...
Please send your posts and responses to: sticknews@stick.com.
Copyright 2007 by Jim Reilly, all rights reserved, except where noted. The opinions expressed by subscribers and contributors to this digest are not necessarily those of the publisher. Any business transactions arranged by readers of StickNews are solely their responsibility, and not those of Jim Reilly.
Stick and Chapman Stick are registered trademarks of Stick Enterprises, Inc., and are used in the title of this digest with permission.
Archives of previous Sticknews Digests can be found at sticknews/archives.
End of StickNews #273.