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dan's words and deeds
News and thoughts by Pianist Dan Cray
and the Dan Cray Trio.
. . .
4.16.2008
Spring News and a Conversation With Punky
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well after a long and brutal winter. I can't tell you how happy I am to see the sun shining (at least for a few hours a day) and the White Sox starting off the season on the right foot! We've been busy mixing the live recording from last November, and hopefully it will be out within the next few months. We also recorded vocalist Marc Courtney Johnson's latest album in January and are getting ready to work with another talented singer from Indiana, Randy Kelly, on his new album next week. Clark is doing quite well in NY if you've been wondering. He'll be back in town playing with us this Friday and next weekend at the Rhythm Room, so be sure to come out and say hi!
Here's our schedule for the next few months:
Wednesdays from 7PM-11PM @ Pete Miller's in Wheeling INFO
Fridays from 7PM-11PM @ The Rhythm Room Century Theatres Evanston. INFO
I'm also playing most Saturdays at The Rhythm Room from 7:00-11:00PM in a duo setting, usually featuring Geof Bradfield on saxophone. (Clark will be playing with me on Saturday April 19th). Be sure to check the website for the updated schedule.
Finally, a Moment of Zen for you, as John Stewart would say. As you may remember, my song "Good Bye" was featured on the TV show Gossip Girl a few months back, and judging from the Myspace and itunes action it actually made some kind of impression on our impressionable youth. But the experience has also given me an inside look at teen culture and language, and it's an eye-opener. Here's a transcript of my Myspace conversation with a girl who goes by the name iitSz Punkii. From what I can tell, this translates to either "I is Punky" or "It's Punky." Punky to me is Jim McMahon, as in "the punky QB known as McMahon," so I guess 20 years later, it's hip to be punky again! Anyway, this is heavy on a bunch of different levels.
------------------- Original Message -----------------
iitSz Punkii: hey im wondering if it was your song that i heard on one of my favorite shows the other day..i tried 2 look 4 it but ur version is the goodbye instumental i guess..umm i was wondering if u could do me a favor by putting up the normal version and leting me know if im rght about that song...pleae get back 2 me..thankyou...
Dan: Hey there-- If you're talking about "Gossip Girl," this is the right song. No words yet! It's a jazz instrumental--you can check it out on itunes too. Thanks--
iitSz Punkii: OH MY GOD!!LOLZ I REALLY LIKE THAT SONG!!WELL UMM WHEN WILL U B ABLE 2 PUT IT UP??U KNOW WIT THE WORDS?PLZ LET ME KNOW.THANK U!
Dan: Hey iitSz Punkii,There are no words! It is what it is. . . Best, Dan
iitSz Punkii: fine but u dont have 2 b a jerk about it..well it suckz without the words so u may as well delete ur whole pg...=]...
----------------- Original Message -----------------
Any budding lyricists out there? Let's create some "normal" music together. . .Hope to see you soon!
Dan
posted by Dan at 2:09 PM
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2.19.2008
Northwestern Announces New Music Building!
After many years of practicing in a converted 19th Century dorm, NU students will finally have real practice rooms, and hopefully nice pianos as well. The $90 million building should be ready in 2012.
Amen!
posted by Dan at 5:27 PM
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12.24.2007
RIP Oscar Peterson
One of my all time favorite pianists passed away today. I listened to Oscar almost non stop in high school, and I think his records had a lot to do with my initial attraction to Jazz music. I still haven't heard anyone swing harder. . .what a force!
I only got to hear him live once, and it was after his stroke, but it was still a memorable night. I remember waiting around after the concert in hopes of meeting him, but had to settle for sending back the liner notes to a box set in hopes of a signature. He was nice enough to oblige, even personalizing a message to me, which was quite a memento for a kid. I'm jealous of those of you who got to hear him at the London House in an intimate setting--that must have been amazing!
If you've never really checked out Oscar, look for the box set "Exclusively For My Friends," a series of recordings he did for the MPS label. They were recorded at a studio in the Black Forest of Germany, and include many live takes for a small group of friends as well as his first solo album. The rhythm section features either Ray Brown or Sam Jones on bass, and Ed Thigpen, Bobby Durham and Louis Hayes on drums. All in all, it's some of the best and most swinging jazz trio music I've heard. Put on the track In a Mellotone (Check it out here on Rhapsody) and I think you'll agree.
posted by Dan at 3:19 PM
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12.17.2007
December News
Happy Holidays! Thanks to those of you who made it out for our live recording at Pops last month--we're currently sorting through the tracks, and hope to have something out by the Spring. Recording live presented quite a few challenges, but I'm really happy overall with how things turned out and the enthusiastic response from many of you.
In other news, Clark has decided to move to New York in January. It's been a long run of playing multiple gigs a week together while forming a group concept, and things will be really different without him around. But we're going to try to keep the group alive as best we can with less frequent local gigs and more gigs out of town.
Our run at Pops for Champagne will be ending after tomorrow night, so please come out and hang, say goodbye to Clark, sit in if you're a musician, etc. We're there from 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
If you're looking for something to do on New Year's, I'll be at Timo Restaurant with Mike Allemana and Lorin Cohen. Adding to the theme of loss and woe, Timo will be closing after the gig. Owner John Bubala, in addition to being a wonderful chef and a great guy, has been a strong supporter of the local jazz scene for many years. We're definitely going to miss him and Timo. We're on from 10-1, and reservations for the late seating begin at 9:30. INFO
As always, you can still hear the group at the Rhythm Room in Evanston every Friday from 7-11.
Finally, a bit of good news. . .The TV show Gossip Girl, airing Wednesdays on the CW network (formerly the WB), has formally asked to use my song "Good Morning.Good Bye" for a scene that will air January 9th. I've never seen the show so I can't really tell you too much about it, but apparently it's big with the kids. I was just talking with bass player Eddie DeHaas about the complete lack of jazz on TV, so it's nice to see someone thinking outside the box for once. The show airs at 9/8c.
___________________________________________________________________
Thanks for your support this year, and all the best for a healthy and happy New Year!
posted by Dan at 1:27 PM
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12.10.2007
NU Ressurects Jazz Studies Program
Jazz Studies at Northwestern was resurrected with the announcement that saxophonist Victor Goines, recently at Julliard, would be taking over the program. This is some shocking news, as I thought for sure the program was dead and buried. It remains to be seen whether a viable program can be built at NU given the vehement opposition displayed by some of the traditionalists there, but this is certainly encouraging.
posted by Dan at 2:31 PM
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10.25.2007
Live Recording!
The Trio has decided to try something new for our fourth record--a live recording! We'd love for you to be a part of it.
Here's the deal: Monday November 5th and Tuesday November 6th at Pops For Champagne in Chicago. We'll be playing from 8:00-12:00, with sets at 8, 9:30, and 11. We'd like to minimize the disruptions, so we ask that you stay for an entire set if at all possible. There's a $10 suggested donation at the door, and there will also be specials on CDs and drinks. Please feel free to invite anyone you like--the more music lovers the better!
Thanks for your continued support, and I hope to see you at Pops. . .
posted by Dan at 10:50 AM
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7.11.2007
Summer News
Things have been busy and I'm excited about our performances and concerts this Summer. I just recently returned from the Banff Centre in Banff, Alberta where I participated in the International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music for three weeks. It was inspiring to be around so many talented musicians and to learn and play with guys like Steve Cardenas, Scott Colley and Vincente Archer. I also picked up some ideas from drummer Han Bennink to make Greg's drum solos more of an event. Check it out here!
On a darker note, my alma mater Northwestern has decided to cancel its Jazz Studies Program. I know many of you support the university both financially and otherwise. Please reconsider. If you'd like to be heard, check out Friendsof NUjazz .com which provides the whole story along with the contact info of the relevant powers that be. You can read my letter to Dean Montgomery here.
Summer Trio Gigs
We're playing a lot of gigs as a group this Summer capped off by a performance with Marc Courtney Johnson at the Chicago Jazz Festival on September 2 at 1PM.
Tuesdays at Pops for Champagne in Chicago through August from 9PM-12AM . This has turned into a really fun hang, with a great audience, excellent piano and a lot of talented musicians hanging out and sitting in. No cover if you get there before 9. INFO
Wednesdays at Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago Beginning July 11 through the end of August from 5:00-8:30 PM. We're happy to be playing here for the first time as a group. INFO
Thursdays at Avenue M in Chicago from 7:00-10:00 PM. This is an exce llent restaurant occupying the space of the former Como. Champagne is half price every Thursday. INFO
As always, you can still hear the group at The Rhythm Room in Evanston every Friday from 7:30-11:30. I'm also there on most Saturdays in a duo setting with either Geof Bradfield or Clark Sommers. INFO
Hope to see you soon!
Dan
posted by Dan at 1:07 PM
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