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In a sentimental mood

5/15/2023

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Our musician of the day - Cam Porter did such a lovely job of this tune in an arrangement by our very own Don Buchanan, that I wanted to feature a version of this jazz classic today.
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Nick Brignola - In A Sentimental Mood
There are so many great recordings of this song - and I know that Cam being a bit of a traditionalist might even prefer the one by John Coltrane with Duke Ellington on piano, but having actually met Nick once, I decided on this beautiful rendition.

I met Nick when I was working at the Kincardine Summer Music Festival Jazz camp and Nick was the guest artist. He had one of those larger than life personalities and, man, could he play. Nick may be the only musician I have met who not only told me he was the best in the world, but who actually convinced me it might be true.

Doing this little blog always seems to take me to fond memories from long ago. So many great musicians, fun experiences, and so much learning happened at that camp. I guess maybe I am getting a bit sentimental too. Hope you enjoy this recording.
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Chameleon

4/19/2023

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Chameleon · Dick Oatts · Mats Holmquist · New York Jazz Orchestra
Chameleon is a great chart to get young jazz musicians going on. Once you get that bass line under your fingers, the rest of it is pretty straight forward.

But even if you think you are so sick of the tune that you can never enjoy it again, you might like this recording. 

It is sort of a pointillistic impression of the original. All of the things you know about the tune are there and oh so much more. I love how random it seems at the beginning and yet it captures the necessary power and urgency.

​Listen and enjoy.

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Birdland - Maynard Ferguson

4/19/2023

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Maynard Ferguson performing Birdland on the Mike Douglas Show
So I think we can all agree that this was maybe the most overplayed tune at stage band festivals. I think because it was seen as a "real" jazz tune but didn't require teaching young musicians how to really swing?

This tune brings back so many memories of the 70's for me. Weather Report brought out Heavy Weather in 1977 when I was just beginning my Music Degree at Queens University in Kingston. And Birdland was the BIG hit!
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The melody was just so catchy and happy!

This was my introduction to jazz greats, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Alex Acuna and Manolo Badrena.
This recording features Canadian superstar Maynard Ferguson with a super talented young band backing him. The synth at the beginning and the Rhodes piano both bring back my early days at Kincardine DSS. The Knights of Jazz didn't always have a bass player but they had a synth to cover the bass. And that old beat up Rhodes that never quite played in tune - ah the memories.
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Inspired by Musicfest in 70's/80's #1

4/18/2023

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Spain - Chick Corea

This little journey was started when someone shared Chuck Mangione's "Feel So Good" (a favourite album of mine in first year university) with me on Facebook. One thing led to another and I found myself feeling very nostalgic for my university days and my first experiences with what was then called the Canadian Stage Band Festival. I hope to share some selections over the next few days. (Trigger warning to Musicfest adjudicators - you may still not be ready to hear some of these tunes again LOL)
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One of the great jazz tunes that I was introduced to during those years is Chick Corea's "Spain".

Return to Forever was really big with many of my friends and they dragged me on a road trip to Ottawa to hear Chick play. I was blown away and have especially loved the tune ever since.
This version is one of the most "major" versions I have ever heard. I wasn't sure I loved it the first time, but it has really grown on me. And of course Randy Brecker is AMAZING! Sorry for the ads!!! But I think it is worth it even so.
Spain feat. Randy Brecker, Chad LB and the Global Big Band (composed by Chick Corea)
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    Author

    Ian Burbidge is a retired music educator living near Port Elgin Ontario. He is the main composer/arranger for Noodle Factory and he started this blog to get inspiration for some of his arranging. Hope you enjoy the journey.

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  • Noodle Factory Jazz Project
  • Where To Hear Us
  • Who We Are
    • Ian
    • Jason
    • Cam
    • Al
    • Brian
    • Hugh
    • Kerrie-Lynn
    • Mike
    • Stephen
    • Don
    • Ron
    • Fred
    • Peter
  • What We Do
    • Ian's List(ening)
    • What Else We Do
  • Members Page
  • Noodle Big Band
  • Goderich Program
  • Southampton Concert