After a few months of rest from a long college career I find my self in the interesting position of going from college student to college professor in less than three months. I was never sure I wanted a career in teaching but the way this job fell in to place and the fun I am having with my new students has really made an impact on the way I see my opportunities as a musician. I am looking forward to working with everyone in the department to build a strong, creative, enjoyable program in contemporary music.
I am also excited about all of the amazing musicians I have met in the area. The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Society has been a huge help in my networking and is just a great group of musicians and supporters to spend time with. I would also like to thank everyone at the many jam sessions I have played and gigs I have sat in at. You have all made being the new kid in town a lot of fun.
I have already had many life changing experiences since graduation and I look forward to seeing what the path ahead has to offer.
Well the door has closed on my college career and now I’m off to conquer the big wide world! I have so many ideas and projects to work on including promo materials for a gig in Asia, a new vocalese to finish and a whole new music scene to get involved in. I am really looking forward to exploring the Tampa Bay area and maybe spending a little time on the beach while I’m at it. When I figure out what to do with myself I’ll let you know and hopefully my adventures will give someone else a leg up. I’d like to thank all of my professors and friends at UNT, it was a great ride.
Over the past few years I have come to the realization that starting a career in the performing arts requires me to wear many hats including vocalist, band leader, music copyist, arranger, booking agent, graphic designer, recording engineer, and publicist. This last job has become increasingly more prominent over the past several months and on this front I would like to share some resources I use to publicize my events. In addition to posters, fliers, and a mailing list there are several more places that you can spread the word about your gigs for free. Here are direct links to the event submission pages of several prominent DFW newspapers, radio stations, and television stations. Submissions to these sites does not guarantee that your event will make the list and it is important to submit your gig as far an advance as possible to better your chances. If you submit three weeks or more in advance some of the newspapers will put your event on line and in print. If you have any more suggestions for getting the word out please take a minute to email me and I'll add them to the list.
Speaking of publicity... If you are free this Friday night I hope you stop in and see me at the Doubletree Hotel Dallas near the Galleria. I'll be there from 7:00-10:00 with Austin Byrd and Johnny Harmon.
Dallas Observer (For Print Submit 3 weeks in advance, On line 2 weeks in advance.)
KTXA CBS Community Callendar (Must Submit 2 weeks in advance)
Pegasus News (Must Submit 1 week in advance)
So I'm taking this class in vocal jazz arranging and one of the challenges I am up against is trying to find standards with lyrics that can be adapted to a more modern sound. Although many standards have great lyrics a lot of times they contain language, rhyme schemes, or references that are dated. I've started a list of tunes that I think would work in an updated setting and I would really appreciate it if anybody could help me add too it. Please be really picky though because it is often only one or two lines that can disqualify a tune.
Here's what I have so far...
I'm looking for lyrics without:
Out of date phrases/references
Rhyme scheme
Melody is sometimes taken into account
Overall vibe
Wave
Corcovado
Triste
Waters Of March
Gentle Rain
Darn That Dream
Easy Living
How Deep Is The Ocean
Nature Boy
Solitude
In The Wee Small Hours
Beautiful Love
What Is This Thing Called Love
I'm Through With Love
My Foolish Heart
I Fall In Love Too Easily
While My Lady Sleeps
We'll Be Together Again
Time After Time
Where Do You Start
You Don't Know What Love Is
Body And Soul
Lush Life
Autumn In New York
The Song Is You
When Sunny Gets Blue
Just Friends
The Way You Look Tonight
The Nearness Of You
All Through The Night
I Get Along With Out You
I'm Through With Love
Autumn Leaves
East Of The Sun
Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
Round Midnight
Angel Eyes
Blame It On My Youth
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Trav'lin Light
Dream Of Life
Ballad Of The Sad Young Men
What'll I Do
Close Calls (one or two lines, rhymes, maybe melody)
All My Tomorrows
Just One Of Those Things
Lover Man
Like Someone In Love?
Stardust
Old Devil Moon
It Never Entered My Mind
Young and Foolish
Too Young To Go Steady
All The Things You Are
April In Paris
In A Sentimental Mood
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
It's Alright With Me
Barefoot In The Park
What Kind Of Fool Am I
I've Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
Sophisticated Lady
How High The Moon
I Concentrate On You
I Didn't Know About You
I Love You
Laura
My Shining Hour
There Will Never Be Another You
Speak Low
All Or Nothing At All
Close Your Eyes
Does anyone have a fave arrangement with small group and vocals?
Please respond to stuck@sashatuck.com
What a week. I have been out almost every night, seen some great music, and caught up with everyone. My favorite event was definitely the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Snarky Puppy at Hailey's. What a show. We are so fortunate to live in a community where there is so much to do. Since I have been back in town I realize how lucky I am to be a part of the unique music scene that Denton has to offer. Although I know I can't possibly see everything out there I am always disappointed when I miss something. Tonight I am going to see Hil's last show before she leaves town. I am really excited and a little sad. She is among the few people in my acquaintance that have given me a clear picture of the singer as a complete musician and I thank her for it. I'm also glad that she is confident and ready to move on because it gives me hope that I will be ready too. The most important steps I am taking to prepare myself to leave are working on my piano skills, arranging/composing, collecting media for my press kit, and playing shows that move me out of the background and on to the stage. I'm really excited about this Friday. It's going to be so cool to hear some of the things I've been working on come to life and hopefully that will motivate me to finish the bigger projects I am working on. The more I write the more I want to write and I hope that this productivity will spill over into everything else I am passionate about. My goal this semester is to take in all of the magic and music that Denton has to offer so that when I leave I will have made the most of my experience here.
Btw...If your Friday isn't totally full I would love to see you at the Hydrant between 8-10:)
This week I'm listening to lots of James Moody
As I begin my last semester at UNT I would like to take a moment to reflect on all of the amazing things I have experienced here. I never imagined that I would be capable of so much musically or personally. As a vocalist my early musical training never prepared me for the challenges of being a musician and I have felt that lack of awareness on every step of my journey here. I am truly thankful for all of the teachers, friends, colleagues and the great music I have known here. Everything about this place has broadened me so much as a person and a musician. Everyday I learn something new about myself, my art, and all of the things I have yet to learn. Here are the most important things I know about being a singer.
1. Play Piano! Everyday. It will make you competent and marketable. It will help you teach and compose. It will make you more credible to other musicians and to yourself.
2. Listen all the time. If you are singing jazz and you want to learn tunes I strongly recommend the Ella Fitzgerald Songbooks collection. There are 16 discs of music by the composers who wrote the Great American Songbook and Ella sings them straight off the page on the head in of every tune. Put them in your car, i-pod, ect... and memorize as many as possible. I know over 250 tunes and 80% of them came from this set.
3. Market yourself. Make press kits, record a demo, cold call hundreds of venues, become an efficient sales representative for yourself. It's your dream, make it happen.
4. Get to know everyone. If you are in music school then you are surrounded by lots of people who share similar interests and goals. Work with them, learn from them, hang out with them and you will make life long friendships and business contacts.
5. Have a great time. Never forget why you sing. It is beautiful and fun. It is personal, creative and full of life! Don't let any aspect of your training get you down for too long because you already know what you are doing. You are doing what you were born to do and nothing can make that less magical. Go get it!
I am really looking forward to this last semester and all of the challenges that will follow it. Please stop back by for updates on my musical journey and to let me know about yours.