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Seems like I never write blogs anymore so this will be my last on here for awhile anyway. I am very inspired and working on several musical projects that are really exciting to me, For more info you can keep up with me on Facebook and myspace as well as my regular website-www.jezgraham.com
I might post a few pix now and then but as for the rest, that's all folks,
Hope to see you soon,
Jez

Ronn Penn, Me and Bruce Hampton

 

Bill sits in at Twains

 

Moment To Moment

One of my favorite cd's from 2008 is Moment to Moment by Don Discenza. It is available at dondiscenzamusic.com as well as cdbaby, itunes and the other online music outlets. I recommend buying the physical cd, both for the wonderful package,photo's and credits and also for the pristine sound quality which sounds best on the home stereo.

Don is a pianist/vocalist who I have known since 1994 when he mentored me in Unity keyboard service, and I am proud to call him a great friend. His album is rich with The Great American Songbook plus an original of Don's.

Much like the classic jazz vocal albums of the 50's that incorporated great jazz players and soloist's, yet with a sound and ambience perfectly in the Now, as we listen we are comforted by soothing melody's and meaningful lyrics, and exquisite musicianship. The record features the cream of the crop of Atlanta's jazz musicians.

Don's swinging piano and deep vocals are the center of the arrangements which also feature the percussive brilliance of Jerry Fields on several tracks including one of my favoites Don's original "Marianna" which is reminiscent of the early Latin Jazz of RTF to my ears.Don' piano is center stage on this one as well as, Eric South's beautiful flute playing.

Don is donating a portion of the proceeds to Music Cares which is meaningful as he put a whole lot of care into the making of this album and it shows in every detail from the beautifully played and recorded Piano to the choice of standards.

Other highlights for me are "The Second Time Around" which is anchored by the Bass legend Neal Starkey-bass and former Ray Charles drummer Scott Von Ravensberg, Charade, with Don's wistful accordion playing, and Love Is a very Splendored Thing which features the acoustic guitar of Felipe Coelho.

Tim Aucoin -bass and Keith Runfolo-drums provide swinging and creative swing and nuance throughout the bulk of the other tunes along with guitarist Dave Frackenpohl who shines throughout the record.A special shout out has to go to Jerry Fields for his important percussive contribution and to Don for his inventive and swinging piano playing. There are also guest performances by The South City Voices and Jennifer Hanson. I hear a lot of joy in this album, I think you will too. Make sure to listen all the way through, my favorite Moment occurs at the end of the last song thanks to Don's piano.

Funk Heritage Center

I'm spending most of my time at home these days having fun on the mac recording lot's of new music. The tracks I cut with Mike Haid over 2 sessions in Nov. and Dec 08 are the basic tracks of Drums and keys. I'm building them up and orchestrating with more keyboards at home and eventually will add some special guest musician's like Bill Hatcher and the icing on the cake will be the horn arrangements that Bill Graham is writing for 4 Trombones-Harry Hagan and Bob Lewis will overdub twice.
Funk Heritage Center and The Lonely Frog are 2 of my favorite pieces I've ever worked on. they came out of improv's and are taking on a life that is beyond what I could have imagined. On the gig front, this Sat. I'll be back in Charleston and back for Sunday's annual Eddie's Attic gig with Francine.

Nicholas Alan, Del and Jez harmonizing on In My Room over the holidays

 

Johnny Knapp, Janna and Jez

 

It's A Wonderful Life

 

 

 

 

Where We're S'posed To Be

That could be the name of the cd's worth of music Mike Haid and I recorded today at his mountaintop studio. We had been talking about doing this session for a long time and today was the day. It was a perfect Georgia day, still fall but feeling like Winter. I set up my keys and we began the first piece, the only rules for the sirst 2 peices were that there were no rules, All music would be improvised without any pre conceived idea's or plans.The 2nd piece came after a long and deep conversation that ended with the phrase where we're s'posed to be. For the final cut Mike suggested we do some Jazz so we played a song that I have been tinkering with for a few months called Mindy #21. Even though it's more of a straight ahead vibe, the last part where we take 4's got pretty modern, Some pictures from the day should be above before too long. Mike is a great friend and a wonderful drummer.

After the session we had a nice dinner at a place called Fatz, The peach cobbler was pretty good although not as good as Cafe Circa. I miss that peach cobbler but I do look forward to the bread pudding tomorrow night at Atlantic Seafood Company.

Anyway after dinner we went to check in with my old friend Kenny Aronoff give a drum clinic at Ken Stanton Music. Kenny gave me my first break in 1974 when he and Bob Williams put together the band Ball Of Confusion and gave a skinny 15 year old Rhodes player a chance. After the first gig I was hooked on the gigging thing and I haven't stopped since.

Ball Of Confusion used to play at The Great Riot Alley Memorial at The Music Inn which was in Lenox Massachusetts. The Music Inn is where I saw some of the greatest concerts of my Life- Weather Report, Mahavishnu, RTF, Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters, Bonnie Rait, Van Morrision, Bruce Springsteen, anyway after the concerts, They had bands playing in a couple bars and we were one of them. We played Sly, Aretha, Cobham, Hendrix and lots of other fun stuff for people to dance to.
Check www.kennyaronoff.com for news and updates. It's always great to catch up with him and inspiring to be around his great energy.
Check out the pictures above of the me and the mountain, Me and Kenny and Mike and Kenny from another great November day Where we're s'posed to be......