PROJECTS

A NOTE OF HOPE
www.ANoteofHope.com

A NOTE OF HOPE is part music appreciation and part social social-purpose documentary. It can exist comfortably at this intersection because it explores the legacy of the American Negro spiritual, a song form that has always lived there. These songs are the soundtrack of faith and hope in the midst of suffering, and that is still relevant today. A NOTE OF HOPE follows the musical journey of five American jazz musicians who are musical ambassadors for the cause of children left parentless by HIV/AIDS in Africa. These musicians recast the spirituals into the jazz genre, and then — following the example of those who came before them — give of their time and talents to draw attention to those who still suffer today.

THE ELECTRIC MINGUS PROJECT
For quite a long time, I had this idea of interpreting the music of the legendary bassist/composer/bandleader Charles Mingus. I finally put together a band that could aproach this project with the utmost integrity and bold creativity. In addition to my bandmates Chris Farr (Saxes and EWI - electric wind instrument and Butch Reed (drums), the Electric Mingus Project features John Swana on trumpet and EVI (electric valve instrument) and Tony Miceli on vibes. Because Mingus was such a force of nature, I felt it was important to make our live presentation multidimensional. We utilize not only electric and acoustic instruments but sound effects and narration of various topics in Mingus' own words. There is so much to take away from Mingus' music and struggle.

If you want to learn more about this great musician, there is an excellent book entitled Myself When I Am Real by Gene Santoro that I highly recommend.

WORKSHOPS
I enjoy working with musicians in a workshop setting. My mission in worshop instruction is simple: "to inform and inspire". To me, information and inspiration are indispensable ingrediants to music education. In my years of teaching privately, in master classes, at the university level and in workshops as well; I have found that while information supplies the "know how", it is inspiration that provides the attitude of "can do".

There are numerous topics I've covered in workshops: improvisation, solo bass concepts, careers in music, ensemble coaching, overcoming stage fright and many other business and performance oriented topics. The truth of the matter is, I get as much information and inspiration in teaching as the students do. Don't tell anybody!