Sunday Music Muse Day (Monday Edition) Artemis, Paul Motion Trio

Here's my Sunday Music Muse Day post, a day late due to Mother's Day. First up is Artemis In Real Time.  Artemis is an all female jazz group that has be turning heads in the jazz world for their great music.  I have the first recording and this out grabbed me with the first tune on the CD, "Slink" written by late Lyle Mays, known for his collaborative work with Pat Metheny for many years.  Artemis wonderful group worth seeking out.  I hope they come to Rochester jazz festival sometime.

My second pick is the Paul Motian Trio At the Village Vanguard, a 1995 live recording at the legendary New York City jazz club.  The is rather a laid back outing with leader Motian on drums and Joe Lovano on tenor saxophone, and Bill Frisell on guitar, and guitar synthesizer.  It starts off a with a tune that has a "jazz loft feel" and  it keep the sense of intimacy and adventure, throughout. Good stuff.  Actually, I'll pick up anything with Bill Frisell on it. 

Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful Mother Day.  

Larry Niven Book Spot (1976) - Journeyman Artist Timeline Tale

I found an old VHS tape with copies of my TV record spot from the 1970's and this Larry Niven Book promo was on it. This produced by Wingstar, an indie film production company, I did freelance animation art and direction for. This, and the TV record spots, may have been my first animation jobs. We all have to start where. Enjoy.

ExoSquad Jump Troop Pod Assault

This sequence is from the ExoSuad 2nd season Episode, "First Step", from the storyboard panels featured in the slideshow. My first attempt at posting a video was block for copyright issues. The blocking can be hit or miss. But, with the advance in AI, it seems to be getting worst. Music was the main reason for problems, now AI is tagging visuals more, too. It’s a real slap in the face when you help create the source material, as I did with the storyboard art and directing the episode. I have to resist the impulse to just stop making content for ExoSquad, or other projects, that I worked on, but didn’t control the rights to. Time will tell.

Sunday Muse Muse Day - Wayne Shorter, Gerry Mulligan

Today's Sunday Music Muse Day will be short and sweet with two well know jazz player.  First up, Wayne Shorter Quartet Beyond the Sound Barrie, is a collection of live recording from November 2002 - April 2004, from touring dates in North America, Europe, and Asia.  The liner notes doesn't outbreak out exact date and location on each tune. The quartet consist of Shorter on saxophones, Danilo Perez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Brian Blade on drum. Younger, but talented and experienced players.  It worth a listen, as all Wayne Shorter music is.

Next up is the Gerry Mulligan Quartet Dragonfly, a CD I've had for a long time, and remember picking it up just because it had "dragonfly"as its title.  Although, I do like Gerry Mulligan's playing, this session is too tame, and bland to get excited about. Best I can say about it is it's not bad background music. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and have a good week.

Sunday Music Muse Day (A day Late) Bill Frisell, Gerry Gibbs

Here's my Sunday Music Muse Day post, a day late. First up, Bill Frisell: Orchestras.  This is the latest release by one of my favorite guitarist.  I think of his music as  Neo-Amerciana, It always reminds me of a blend of jazz, folk, and American composer Aaron Copland.  This is a recording Frisell's trio with Thomas Morgan on bass, and Rudy Royston on drum performing with two full orchestras, the Brussels Philharmonic and the Umbria Jazz orchestra, orchestrated and arranged by Michael Gibbs. I'm really enjoying hearing old Frisell favorites of mine arranged for orchestra. It would be cool if the Bill Frisell came to Rochester and performed this with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.  One can dream.

My second choice is Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio with leader Gibbs on drums, and legends Kenny Barron on piano, and Ron Carter on drums.  It doesn't get better than this for power trio. This is actually the fifth release of Gerry Gibbs I have. I like his eclectic choice of material.  Besides sessions like this he does concept projects,  like his "Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People -Weather or Not", an interpretation of Weather Report music, with Alex Collins on piano, and Hans Glawisching on bass.  Any Gerry Gibbs Dream Trio is well worth picking up. (I couldn't figure out if Gerry Gibbs was related to Michael Gibbs, the arranger on the Bill Frisell CD)

So, that's it for my day late post. Be sure to find some good music to enjoy, whatever your taste.  Peace.

Journeyman Artist Disney TV's Gargoyles - Director's Showcase & Timeline Tales

I was co-producer/Co-Director on the 2nd season of Disney TV's Gargoyles. With this year being celebrated as the 30th anniversary of Gargoyles, I've been inspired by several comic con panels and interviews of fellow Gargoyles Producer/Directors, Greg Weisman (creator) and Frank Paur, to put together this collection videos of the 20 - 2nd season shows I directed. This is an overview as I posted separate "Reels" video of each one. Also made separate videos, Timeline Tales, for selection episodes, with more personal commentary, and support art.

                                 

Here's the Timeline tale for  Gargoyles' "Mark of the Panther".

Here's the Timeline Tale for "Bushido".

Here's the Timeline Tale for "Pendragon"

 Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Dexter Gordon Quartet, Geni Bertoncini with Mike Mainieri, Michel Moore and Corsello

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me enjoying two solid jazz sessions. First, Dexter Gordon Quartet At the Subway Club 1973.  Dexter Gordon is well known as an "expatriate" jazz musician living and working in Europe, at a time when America offer them less opportunities to work. He's also famously known for the movie Round Midnight, for which Gordon was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor after which he returned to U.S. to much acclaim. These live recordings as marvelous example of his playing. I remember liking Round Midnight, as it reminded me of my father's experience of moving to Paris after the death of Duke Ellington, and staying until his own death there in the late 80's. The jazz life could hard, and beautiful. at the same time.

Next up, is Gene Bertoncini Reunion, with Mike Mainieri (Vibes), Michael Moore (Bass), and Joe Corsello (drums). This 2012 session is the reunion of guitarist Bertoncini player with the players he first met and played together with in the 1970's, in various combos.  They formed a strong and lasting musical bond. The strength of the bond and friendship show sin their excellent interplay.  Well worth a listen, often.

It's been a changeable couple of day, cloudy, rainy, then sunny, then overcast again.  Perfect weather to just cool out and listen to some good music.  Enjoy.