Thursday, September 6, 2007

New Brad Goode Release

One of my favorite jazz musicians has a new release coming out October 23 on the Delmark label. Click here to pre-order Nature Boy through Amazon now.


For some fantastic samples of Brad's playing, check out his site. Brad is one of the most exciting trumpet players and jazz musicians I've ever heard. To top it off, he's a good dude as well. His last recording, Hypnotic Suggestion, was fantastic, and he continues to take the music—and trumpet—to new heights.

Here's his bio from the University of Colorado at Boulder where he is on faculty:

SteepleChase recording artist Brad Goode was born in Chicago in 1963 and classically trained on violin from age 4. Brad switched to guitar and cornet at age 11. He took an early interest in the music of Louis Armstrong, learning many of his classic solos by age 13. At 14, Brad met and studied with Cat Anderson, the great Ellingtonian trumpeter, who inspired and encouraged the young player. By the time he graduated from high school, he was performing on trumpet and bass with many professional groups. He received his B.M. degree from the University of Kentucky in 1985, studying with renowned trumpeter Vincent DiMartino. Upon moving back to Chicago in 1985, he began working with the bands of Von Freeman and Eddie Johnson. He received his M.M degree from DePaul University in 1987, where he studied double bass with Larry Gray. In the ensuing years, Brad was featured with the combos of Red Rodney, Al Cohn, Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Frank Morgan, Don Lanphere, Curtis Fuller, Jack DeJohnette, Ernie Krivda, Barrett Deems and many others. He led his own combo from 1986 until 1998, appearing at major festivals and nightclubs around the world, including a twelve year weekly stint at the famous Green Mill jazz club in Chicago. As a Cultural Ambassador for the mayor of Chicago, he led jazz groups on tours of Asia and the Middle East. He was named one of the most influential Chicagoans of the 1980s by the Chicago Tribune, who credited him as a “major catalyst in the revitalization of the Chicago jazz scene.” He has served on the faculties of the American Conservatory of Music, New Trier H.S., Cuyahoga Community College and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He makes frequent appearances as a soloist and clinician at colleges and high schools throughout the country. He has recorded for the Delmark, Sunlight and SteepleChase labels. Brad also performs as a jazz bassist and drummer.

Friday, July 6, 2007

Watertown Jazz Festival

The Watertown Jazz Festival takes place tomorrow, July 7, in Watertown, Tennessee. It seems to be more localized now, however, still some fantastic music. Nashville trumpeter George Tidwell's Sextet, the Modern Jazz Tuba Project, and the Nashville Jazz Orchestra with vocalist Annie Sellick are part of a great lineup.

Heckelphone?

I was advising a musician friend to not allow his new-born child to ever play a wind instrument the other day, but now I'm thinking I should change my stance and say only if they want to play heckelphone. I'm re-thinking my own career path now, in light of my recent awareness of the heckelphone.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Jazz in Crossville!

The talented, young jazz vocalist Liz Johnson played the Palace Theatre tonight in Crossville, Tennessee. I was able to catch the first set, and she was in great form. Lots of original material mixed in with some selections from her recordings. She has an incredible sound, and her recordings are fantastic.

Terry Ashburn has been booking some wonderful artists, and hopefully the Crossville audience will respond. The hall sounds fantastic for small ensembles, and the price was only $10. If you live in the area, be sure to stay informed for great jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk, and other genres... plus, classic films.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Luck Be A Lady... or some old dude named Jeff

I'll be playing a little trumpet in the pit for the Cumberland County Playhouse's staging of Guys & Dolls this summer. This Tony Award-winning musical features a lot of great tunes, and the principal trumpet player is blast to play with... pun intended, I suppose.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Adeo rocks with great rockage

For all your advertising, publicity and production needs, be sure to visit Adeo Media Group. They do killer work, and they are a great group of folks.