Messages

16

Contributions / Proposition re: Music Video

« on: May 24, 2010, 05:30:30 PM »

Hey guys!

   Was wondering if anyone would be interested in putting together a video to go with a new arrangement that I composed for an old Bob Dylan song entitled 'Blowing in the Wind'.  The video would need to convey something along the lines of the imagery used in his lyric...something to leave people thinking.
Whadaya think?!
-JR

P.S.  I tried uploading the sound file here but, it wasn't accepted.  So if there's interest you can find it here:
https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=OHo0ck93Mm1iV3p2Wmc9PQ

17

Local Forecast / Re: Jazz is Gone

« on: August 11, 2009, 12:38:23 AM »

I signed the petition under a pseudonym - Thanks for putting action to words - Good luck with it!
-JR

18

TWC Artist Chat / Re: U Guys Probably Already Heard but......

« on: July 23, 2009, 09:58:54 AM »

Actually the two people I spoke with at IMI encouraged me to use the site to put "whatever I wanted" on up.  So it sounds like they're going beyond just the CD offerings.
-JR

19

TWC Artist Chat / U Guys Probably Already Heard but......

« on: July 21, 2009, 02:05:19 PM »

     U Guys R always so 'up' on things but, just thought I'd put in a word on TWC's latest venture - digital music distribution starting mid-August.  They sent me a note "Because your music is an integral part of "Local on the 8s" programming, IMI Music would like to distribute it via TheWeatherChannelMusic.com, which will launch mid-August. We look forward to working with you in maximizing your sales.' 
    So music will be available on their website for purchase (on a song by song basis), which is, I believe what you've been clamoring for.  Of course, I'll need an attorney to review the terms of the agreement they've offered - to know whether or not I can participate without it hindering other sales efforts or deals which may come-up.
     And this is a curious development considering their decision to remove 'Smooth Jazz' from the channel itself - I dunno - it's odd - but, it should make U guys happy at least.
All the best,
-JR

20

Local Forecast / Re: Independent Music Removal

« on: July 02, 2009, 07:55:24 PM »

I agree about 'Aura' but, also like 'Tutu' the Marcus Miller produced album denounced by critics as 'too commercial" - ummmm, yeah because it's radio friendly, funky music and appeals to a broad spectrum of music listeners!  True, Miles at the end of his career made some duds - he didn't seem to know what he wanted to do but, he knew he didn't want to do anything he'd already done.  He suffered from 'Star Syndrome' - everyone in his inner circle was in someway tied to him as a source of finance - consequently they all agreed with anything he wanted to do - he had no sincere people looking out for his interests and no one willing to say 'Hey, luv ya man, but that's crap!' except music critics whom he didn't respect anyway.  Having lost all the musicians who really mattered to him - the true pioneers of 'BeeBop' John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Eric Dolphy, Thelonious Monk, Gil Evans - all of whose music he ripped-off to create himself (since most of them self destructed - there were no challengers when he was crowned a genius) he had no direction to follow.  He wasn't the pioneer history has made him - they were - he simply out lived them!
     Still that's no excuse for the 'Traditional Jazz' snobs to restrict 'all that is true jazz' to the 'BeeBop' era (which as I mentioned they can never recreate or equal).  They leave no room for growth of the genre!  But then too you have to wonder - when listening to John Coltrane at the end of his career or Art Ensemble of Chicago - where did they leave any room for anyone to go.  They took the music so far into the avant-garde - no one could follow.  Excuse me for wanting a melody I can hum - that lifts me out of my trite little funk and causes me to snap my fingers.  Yes, I'm guilty of enjoying David Sanborn more than Coltrane (they may revoke my degree from Berklee College of music and remove me from the NAACP for saying so).  And as you mentioned, what's so wrong about wanting to be played on the radio?  What's so wrong about appealing to people of a broad range instead of a little narrow fringe?
     And who anoints these music critics anyway?  I mean what exactly is their talent or contribution to society except to criticize others who do have talent and are contributing to the culture which binds our society and elevates us to something more than 'make-the-donuts', work-alcoholics!

21

Local Forecast / Re: Independent Music Removal

« on: July 01, 2009, 04:59:58 PM »

I have some 'Jazz Nazi' friend who will insist that ONLY 'Traditional Jazz' (which as you noted critics also love) is the only 'true' jazz.  2 me that is contrary to all that jazz was about - it is after all a music based on improvisation.  It's origin was the blues and 'Jazz' started out as a dance music.  But then BeeBop took off in the early '50's- that's the style & time period that these folks really latched onto.  But, BeeBop wasn't just a style of music.  When you look into it  - it was a style of living AT THAT TIME.  It is inseparable from the times that it was developed.           
       These new musicians can NEVER play BeeBop and apparently they haven't got the guts to dig deeper inside themselves to see what style they might develop on their own.  I had the opportunity to hang-out with Miles Davis in NY wile he was recording 'Decoy' and 'You're Under Arrest'.  He got heavily criticized for abandoning 'Traditional Jazz'.  But he told them all to go ^#*% themselves - to him he'd said all he had to say in that genre and he wanted to keep evolving (and make money).  Again, 'Jazz' got it's start as a dance music, party music not the high'brow elitist music that it was turned into by marketing people.
       Never, never have I considered myself a 'Smooth Jazz' musician.  My music contains elements of jazz, R&B, Soul, Rock and music from ethnic cultures.  But radio needs to 'pigeon hole' your sound and marketing folks need to brand you in short, quick easy to understand phrases - so you get dumped into this pile with folks whose music may or may not have the same quality or basic philosophy as what you are trying to achieve.

22

TWC Artist Chat / Re: Jeanne Ricks - 'Live' July 14th in Manhattan

« on: June 27, 2009, 11:24:05 PM »

I'm not sure if I can come because my parents might not allow me, but I'll see what I can do. Is Hidden Beach planning to sign a deal with you for your new albums?

They are considering it.  Bruce Walker, the GM at Hidden Beach Records, has the CD's and reportedly has been seeking "finished products" to release digitally on the label,  but it still has to be approved by Steve McKeever.  With the sudden and untimely passing of "The King of Pop" Michael Jackson - the whole music industry is on-hold, in mourning and shock.  He was the last true international superstar male icon.
-JR

23

Local Forecast / Re: Independent Music Removal

« on: June 27, 2009, 11:17:45 PM »

I think when advertisers and marketing people gave 'smooth jazz' the catch-phrase 'the soundtrack for your life' it sorta told people 'hey, this is background music, nothing more.  I mean who 'buys' soundtracks (other than egg-heads like myself).  But, I think it left the impression that the music was not valid as 'jazz' or as a real genre.  it's funny because they created the label 'smooth jazz' and I believe they also killed it.
-JR

24

TWC Artist Chat / Jeanne Ricks - 'Live' July 14th in Manhattan

« on: June 27, 2009, 08:36:38 PM »

Hey Gang-
        Thank you all for being so receptive and positive - it is sincerely appreciated.  Bruce Walker at Hidden Beach Records currently has a copy of my new CD 'Make it Work!' in his hands and is to make a decision (along with Steve McKeever) about doing a release of it. 

        Some of you are located out here in the NY area so I wanted to put out an invite.
There's a very important concert upcoming.  I have been asked to perform in the 'Jazz Tuesday's' series at the Manhattan Baha'i Center's Dizzy Gillespie Auditorium (53 E. 11th St. - btw. B'Way & Univ) at 8pm & 9:30pm. 
        This performance is also being video taped and it would be really helpful to play for an involved and enthusiastic audience - instead of empty seats!     Guys, this is a concert hall, not my band's usual kind of venue (night club/restaurants) where we can rely on 'regulars' or walk-ins.  We actually need to fill the space with our own audience.
        True, Tuesday nights are a drag.  I can say that traffic at that travel time is relatively light and parking easier (because the 'No Parking (7am - 7pm' and 'Trucks Only' limits have all expired by then).  AND there are some slammin' restaurants in that little area.
        So please come out if you can.
 
All the best,
-Jeanne
 
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.'

25

Local Forecast / Re: Independent Music Removal

« on: June 27, 2009, 08:17:13 PM »

FYI
http://www.contracostatimes.com/music/ci_12532336

26

Local Forecast / Re: Independent Music Removal

« on: June 11, 2009, 06:07:51 PM »

Hey Guys,
To 'twcclassics'  Steve Hurst was a great guy, I was so sorry to see him leave because he truly was the one that set the tone for the inclusion of 'indie' music in the line-up and to 'bolt96' well it's obvious where your true sentiments lie and that's ok.  The thing is, if you read their language carefully, you'll note the phrase 'identity' - this says to me they may be moving towards very specific themes for each segment - to make them identifiable as opposed to the pastiche that they currently have.  So you may be hearing not a specific genre of music, i.e. 'rock' or 'smooth jazz' but, instead very regimented 'weather channel' themes. 
     Either that or they'll employ a company that already has the licenses and pre-formatted music - like a satellite radio channel - in which case you may indeed get your beloved 'rock' as just a part of the 'new' style that they choose.  And I'd have to agree with 'localonthe8s' that it's difficult to see 'classic rock' as being particularly appealing to 'youth' - I mean, huh?!

27

Local Forecast / Re: Independent Music Removal

« on: June 05, 2009, 06:50:02 PM »

Hi Guys,
     Thanks as always for the support.  As for what kind of music it sounds like they're either going for theme based music - to presumably give them a consistent identity or a package of specific music from a company like the Satellite music stations pre-programmed selections (possibly still Smooth Jazz although they've expressed a desire to have more variety). 
     Either way it's just one less outlet for independent music exposure - and more specifically independent Jazz.

28

Local Forecast / Independent Music Removal

« on: June 05, 2009, 10:46:11 AM »

Yep, they've decided to remove the independent music from TWC completely.

Here's the email that they sent to me as a courtesy:
'The Weather Channel has set a goal to maintain its current audience base, while attracting new audiences, and would like for the network’s music and sound to complement this goal.  Towards this end, we are seeking a composer or music production company to develop an overall sound for the entire network.    We are looking for an individual or group that is innovative, highly creative and has an understanding of programming music for television.'

     So that's it.  You know they're going to choose a company because no individual has the time to put-out that much music on a daily basis.  They probably already have a production house lined-up.
It's a shame.
-JR

29

Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help

« on: September 29, 2008, 02:38:47 PM »

Hey Gil,
      The Flynn Brothers  out of Chicago custom built my Electric Guitar.
http://www.flynnguitars.com/
Two of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet - and they KNOW they're wood.
Right now I'm working on getting an Acoustic Guitar product endorsement.

All the best,
-JR

30

Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help

« on: September 18, 2008, 11:18:56 PM »

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the suggestion SlingBox.  Tried to go to the Higher Octave website to get a feel for their artists flavor but, the site seems to be down right now. 
Mikem2010 - Who is Adam Berg?

All the best,
-JR