Dime-A-Dozen Project #12 - Nova Corp

Dime-A-Dozen Projects is so named from a conversation with creative friends of mine as we lamented that when we were working full-time for someone else, we get these (in our minds) original million dollar ideas, that would, somehow, turn into "dime-a-dozen" ideas when we were out of work and on our own. I have ton's of unfinished projects in the form of character sketches, incomplete written outlines, half drawn comic pages, and full illustrations. You get the idea, a dime-a-dozen idea. I'm feeling the need to catalog for my own sanity and for a simple record to leave my kids, and as I said above, along the way rekindle my creative juice and start drawing again.

Nova Corps was a Military Sci-Fi project started as my take on the Galaxy Rangers animation series, which I worked on. But after working up a 19 page outline and several concept sketches, seem like I was just retreading the same tire material, so I shelved it. In the end I still got some good sketches out of it.

Here's are the sketches.

Now, on the next Tailgunner Jones.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Jack DeJohnette, Chet Baker Sextet

On this cool, pleasant Sunday Music Muse Day there; nothing to do but take care of routine chores. like grocery shopping at Wegmans, having a light lunch, then settling in with some good afternoon music.  First up is Jack Dejohnette Selected Recording, this ECM release is part of a series of 20 Selected Recordings CDs by artists associatedwith the well known and respected label. All the music on each is selected by the artist from their ECM recordings., as a leader, or sideman.  One CD worth of music is just the tip of the iceberg of the great music Dejohnette, and the other artists,  have recorded for ECM.  Luckily, I already won a lot of it, as he is one of my favorite modern drummers.

Next, is Chet Baker Sextet Chet is Back, a reissue of album recored and released in 1962.  This CD release on  Bluebird - First Edition series includes four tracks by the legendary trumpet player previously unreleased in the U.S.  As the liner notes state: "Chet Baker's tragic story of fame and addiction continues to imbue his recordings with a melancholy mythic quality. These recordings come from one of the  high points of his career, a year spent Italy in 1962."  This include work with Ennio Morricone, legendary film composer.  Well worth a listen.

There  is a touch fall in the air, just enough to compliment the listening of cool jazz with feeling guilty for being indoors.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Gerry Gibbs, Snarky Puppy.

This Sunday Music Muse Day find our area experiencing varying weather from quick moving thunderstorms under severe storm warning to period period bright sunshines.  I'll be enjoying these CDs during it all.  First up is Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio We're Back.  It's a concept album of Jazz Interpretations of his favorite R&B tunes from the 60's and 70's, including several by Steve Wonder, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.  I can't say I'm totally into this but it's an enjoyable casual listen.  It may lean too far toward smooth jazz for my taste.

Next is Snarky Puppy Immigrance, a solid outing from this musicians collective the blurs the boundaries of jazz and Alternative Rock.  There are always some interesting musical ideas in their music.  Worth checking out.

Rain or shine, listening to good music is the way to go.  Enjoy.

Robot Sunday (almost)

Robot Sunday...almost. These were companion pieces to last Robot Sunday sketch ( a better scan) I did while on vacation.  Previews of a coming Dime-A-Dozen project post.

 The last is still WIP (work in progress)  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Emily Remler, Ron Afif

This Sunday Music Muse Day find me on the last day of vacation time.  I started the day volunteering, with Lisa,  at the Jazz 90.1 booth at the East Ave Art Festival.  That was fun with plenty of people watching.  Now I'm relaxing with some afternoon jazz.  First up is Emily Remler East to Wes, a excellent straight ahead jazz set by the late guitarist recorded in 1988, joined by a stellar cast of sidemen. Definitely an artist who left us way too so.

Next is a  new guitarist to me, at least, Ron Affif Solotude.  As the title hints at, it"s a solo guitar set featuring some jazz standards and several originals written by Affif.  It's an enjoyable session, on Pablo Record label, home of the legendary Joe Pass, the master of solo jazz guitar.  Affif does the tradition proud. I'm always willing to try new guitarist.  This one's a keeper.

Hopefully, some time spent with good music will help ease the pain of the news of the latest mass shooting in the U.S.  I heart aches with the families and friends of the victim.  Seems we're powerless to end the madness. 

Sunday Music Muse Day - Wes Montgomery, Kurt Rosenwinkel Group

We're enjoying a picture prefect summer weekend here in upstate NewYork. When not outside soaking up the sunshine, a pleasant change for Rochester, I'm enjoying these 2 live CD sets from two ends of the jazz guitar spectrum.  First up, Wes Montgomery Back in Indiana Avenue, another excellent package from Resonance Records of newly discovered early recordings of the legendary jazz guitarist. The liner notes states these are some of the earliest recordings of Wes classics, like "Four on Six, which is the first cut on the CD, and a favorite Wes Montgomery tune of mine. This is a must for a lover of jazz guitar.  I highly recommend the all the Resonance Records releases of Wes and other artists.

Next up, is a one of young contemporary jazz guitarist who may have come to know Wes Montgomery through the playing of Pat Metheny or Larry Coryell.  Kurt Rosenwinkel Group The Remedy - Live at the Village Vanguard.  I've listened to several his CDs before this 2 CD live set, and I get he's a talented player, but his music doesn't grab me as memorable.  More guitar noodlings than solid compositions for my tastes.  But, he's popular and critics' favorite, so to each, his own.

With the chance of good summer weather, do yourself a favor and take in some live music.  I plan to. Enjoy

Sunday Music Muse Day - Pat Metheny Unity Group, Metheny Mehldau Quartet

This Sunday Music Muse Day find me enjoying a favorite musician in two different group setting.  Pat Metheny Unity Group Kin is the second CD I have of the group lead by the famous guitarist.

My second selection is Metheny Mehldau Quartet, with the amazing pianist Brad Mehldau.  It's a great pairing.

Sunday was prefect weather a bike run along the Erie canal and relaxing to a afternoon of good music.  I hope you enjoyed the day, too.