I Can't Get Started

Our next jam is December 6th. The band is Eric Koppa - sax, Rand Moore - drums, Dave Stoler - keys, and Ben Ferris - bass. The featured tune is, "I Can't Get Started With You." Although this can be a slower song, we won't go too slow and we'll probably split up the head among the horn players so it doesn't sound sloppy. The changes are straightforward and not too challenging except for measures 3 and 4 where there are four 2-5's stuffed into those 2 bars. A common strategy in these situations is to simplify by considering only the 2 or 5 chords. That eliminates some of the mental calculation and frees up your mind to think more melodically.  It might also be a good place to play the original melody.

Possibly the most well known version is by Bunny Berigan, the famous trumpeter from down the road in Fox Point. We also include  Frank Sinatra's version as it is a good place to learn the melody, and Scott Hamilton just because I love his playing. Lastly, a video I just found which has nothing to do with this song but is so much fun and showcases very talented young jazz musicians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u7x-Q3oTjQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKpAHZxkhJw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYX7t7KC7L4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj5Q7w_HQSY

 


November 21, 11am -Saturday: John Becker and Laurie Lang at Middleton Library- Kids Program

IMG_1575On November 21, Saturday at 11am: John Becker and Laurie Lang will perform jazz music, stories and magic at Middleton Library-a Family and Kids Program.

John Becker : composer, elementary music teacher extraodinaire, professional multi-instrumental jazz musician and Laurie Lang: bassist, composer, kid friendly, motherly type jazz musician oxymoron of a lady of groovy music will perform jazz music together at the Middleton Library doing a show of songs, stories, sing-a-long, improvisation, magic tricks and other fun.


Song For My Father

Cara Lombardo's piece about the jam was published in last week's print and online versions of the Badger Herald. Thanks, Cara! Many of you that were interviewed by Cara are mentioned in the story. Check it out!

For our upcoming jam on November 15th the band is Paul Hastil - keys, Ken Hoffman - sax, Joey Banks - drums, and Lucas Koehler - bass.  The featured tune is Horace Silver's, "Song for My Father." Horace Silver wrote many great jazz songs and this may be his most well known. You probably already know the opening bass line if you've heard Steely Dan's, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," and you've heard the horn riff if you are familiar with Stevie Wonder's, "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing." "

Song for My Father" is a common tune at jazz jams, and an easy song to learn: the melody is catchy and the chords are basic. Listen to the original recording for ideas. The piano and sax solos are lessons on motivic development. Lead sheets and a play-along can be found at Learn Jazz Standards. Here's the original:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWeXOm49kE0