Modern Jazz Trumpet

If you asked me or any other educated jazz listener their top 5 albums via trumpet/flugelhorn, most, if not all, would have been recorded 20+ years ago. Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" almost always is mentioned, but the album was recorded in 1959. I loves Jazz, especially on trumpet, but there has got to be something new out there. Now I know Arturo Sandoval is still making recordings and Chris Botti is out there selling his soul to get big names to sing with him, but it's not the same. It's original composition I crave. An evolution from what has been the standard to a new one. I've been listening to this new cat, Christian Scott, and I'm impressed. New Orleans born, he composes new music about pain and heartbreak, while still continuing a long standing tradition of great Jazz performance from that city. He plays with a haunting tonality with spurts of anger. A cover of Radiohead's "Eraser", translated the alternative rock flow into a bluesy jazz riff without losing sight of the message. He brings a new voice to a scene of heavy hitters like Wynton Marsalis and makes a bold statement. Stop the rehashing. How many ways is "My Funny Valentine" or "Salt Peanuts" going to be played. Everyone knows Dizzy played Bebop best, why are you going to bring your "new" approach to it and play nothing more than an hommage to him?Also, a new thing is taking classical music and applying Jazz concepts. Wynton Marsalis is the forefront of this, having taken over "Jazz at Lincoln Center", and tirelessly replays Mozart and Beethoven. I want new music, not a new sound. No wonder people think jazz is dead. Jazz is not dead; as long as there are musicians like Christian Scott out there. Composing instead of reciting. Knowing your history is important, but so is creating your future.

Work Ethic in Theatre

Now I'm a bit crazy when it comes to work ethic. I'll work myself beyond the point of exhaustion and usually end up injured or sprained and whatnot. What I don't understand are the people who literally don't care. We have an intern here at OST who has had writ problems since the 2nd week she got here and has done nothing but complain and try to get the company to pay for her medical bills. When she got onto my service as my assistant, I knew her acting routine going in. I showed no sympathy, but was kind and clear in stating that this was her contract and this is what was expected of her. She has continually disappointed me and continually complained. She is now being let go by the end of the week and we are in the process of training her replacement, another intern, and instead of being grateful(it's her desire to go home), she is being a bigger bitch and making it more difficult to let things go nicely and one good terms. I am trying my best to understand her but she doesn't want to do theatre for a living, so why did she take this job from someone else who does? I know once me and Kelly get into our respective "grooves" things will be great, I just wish I had found a better way to work with this girl for future reference, for I am bound to run into this situation again.

Maybe I was Meant to Hold You in These Arms

I know, I know. Irish folk music about love and life. My name all over it. I know, I know. Marley is right now making fun of me because at first I said no. These guys though....good. I haven't connected to new music in a long time and these guys just. It's insightful and being in a long distance relationship, the lyrics are able to vocalize the feelings and words I have trouble to do so. I think everyone should at least give a listen, at least once.