Veldkamp

Tony, I thought I read a while ago that Maria Schneider was making a dvd with her orchestra. Is that still on or is the project cancelled?

kadleck

Erik,

Maria Schneider did do a DVD with the band in April. Unfortunately, it was during a busy time, and there were three of us who had to sub out. I think it should be out soon.

She is also planning to record again in January ... should be fun/challenging!

Tony

Veldkamp

Nice, I'll order one when it's finished. I'm a big fan of her writing. I have most cds, it seems every new cd is father away from the standard big band stuff and more lyrical, melodic, colorfull and full of long developing lines. The long soft lines are sometimes hard on the chops if you're not used to it.

dbacon

I wouldn't imagine that's an easy book to sub out....not exactly a reading band book....

kadleck

Yes, those charts can be very tiring, not in the normal "big band shout chorus" sort of way. She writes very long and sustained backgrounds (often in bucket mute), and the music is very challenging mentally as well. Many odd time signatures & strange rhythms. And unfortunately, we don't play that often, so it's even more difficult.

It is a tough band to sub on. She writes high, but doesn't like to hear the tpts. "blasting" (her word). Hence the bucket mutes, I guess.

A NY guy named Jon Owens is terrific, and usually is the first call sub.

Tony

dbacon

Thanks for the inside info. Would a first call sub have a copy of the book? I'd imagine some of that might need some working out.

I saw Toshiko's band in N.Y. some years ago with a last second call for a sub. It's not fair to use this guys name (excellent player in a difficult spot), but it didn't go well. She's so understanding...

Veldkamp

The first time I played her music I subbed in a big band as the lead player. After practicing the whole afternoon on Stan Kenton stuff with some Maynard parts, I was told that we played a Maria Schneider program in the evening!

Speaking of sore chops the next day...

trumpetdiva1

Tony, Do you mean that there were three subs in the trumpet section or for the entire orchestra? Who were the subs for the DVD? Do you know?

I’m a big fan of Maria Schneider and have attended the concerts held at the Jazz Standard in New York City for two years in a row. I hope that they will be invited back every year. I always arrive early and get a front row seat. I am always very impressed with the trumpet section. You cannot really find a finer trumpet section than this one!

I will be looking forward to her release in January and hearing you play at the next Jazz Standard concert.

Janell

kadleck

Dave - Toshiko's band was very difficult for subs. Every note seemed to have an accent, dot, line, cap ... etc... The book was a mess and that stuff was nearly impossible to play even if the charts were in perfect shape! A famous LA based lead player once told me, "So, is Toshiko still writing double C's in harmon mute? Get someone else to play that!"

Erik - Kenton & Schneider? I feel your pain!

Janell - No, I meant for the whole orch. (It was the regular tpts., just Jon Owens subbing for me.) Greg, Laurie & Ingrid were there. Maria has a week at the Jazz Standard around Thanksgiving, so if you come down, please say "hi".

Tony

Joe DiMonte