The UAF Jazz Festival was last weekend. It was my fifth (and last...) time going. It was so much fun, as usual. I learned a lot, mostly I just remembered how much I really like jazz. I've been focusing a lot on classical voice and piano lately, so this was very refreshing. It also made me want to focus on music a lot more. Not necessarily on playing music- I devote a lot of my time to that- but to listening to it.
My brother Calvin does this all th time, and I always think he has the worst taste ever. But I'm not very proud of my iPod selection either- most of it is just catchy crap on the radio. And to be honest, there are a lot of songs that I listen to on Calv's iPod that I think are so bad, and then later end up liking them (Tom Waits and Zooey Deschanel from She and Him, for instance). So I've decided to start listening and trying to find some good music. I bought a ton today, Laura Caviani (a jazz pianist at the festival this year), some older Michael Buble stuff (I think his older stuff is more jazz and less pop influence), Diana Krall, and some country. I heard a song on the radio today called "Til the Last Shot's Fired" by Trace Adkins. At first listen it's a hokey soldier song, but it has a really neat full classical chorus at the very end that really changes the piece. It's very surprising and refreshing.
Anyways, while I was at Jazz Festival, I bought a CD called "Family" by Kelly Rossum, so here's my review:
My instant favorite is Track 3, Mr. Blueberry. I don't know what kind of jazz you would call this tune (almost bop, but not really...?) but it's really catchy. It has a more defined tune than the others, and the muted sound of the trumpet is really clear. The piano also stands out- it's simple but it's really hip.
Track 4, Pure Imagination, is a really fun chart too. It's really abstract, so don't get too distracted if you can't always find the melody. Again, this piano player is really great. Underscores the trumpet well, but still isn't boring.
Generally, the album gets better as it goes along. Just don't get discouraged by the first two charts. I'll write more about it when I've listened more to it.
Check him out at www.krossum.com
Peace,
Rachel
2 comments:
i have the best taste ever you little punk! how dare you. how dare you. how dare you.
Hey calm down! I said I end up liking the songs they just have to grow on me. Can't you tell this post is a desperate musical cry for help? I'm gonna get a bigger iPod this summer, then you gotta teach me your ways!
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