BookChattr is in full swing and I hope you are enjoying reading the book. As you know, we are reading Learning to Listen: The Jazz Journey of Gary Burton: An Autobiography by Gary Burton. This post will discuss chapters 3-9 and will include listening examples as mentioned in the book.
Chapters 3 – 5 take place in Gary’s early years (around 1959 – 1962). He continues to talk about growing up in Indiana and starting college at the Berklee School of Music. Chapters 6 – 9 are the beginning of the section marked “Apprenticeship” and include his move to New York (when he meets Joe Morello), his time with George Shearing and then Stan Getz. I am enjoying reading about his experiences and lessons he is learning at a very young age.
“Sometimes, we play because we really want to play; sometimes we play as a favor for another musician; and sometimes, it’s just because we need the money. Despite countless hours of practice and concentration to elevate our art, we all too often have to put that aside because of circumstances.” – Gary Burton [Chapter 4, pg. 48-9]
Below, you will find the listening resources. I am also going to put together a Spotify playlist and I will add a link to it on this post. If you find something that is not correct or missing, please let me know.
Chapter 3: The Local Scene The Nashville All-Stars – After the Riot at Newport
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slZ4vg5L-8g
Chapter 4: College Bound
No musical examples
Chapter 5: New Adventure New Vibe Man in Town (1961) [Gary’s First Album as a Leader] – Selections
Chapter 6: “Autumn in New York” Who is Gary Burton? – Selections [with Clark Terry (trumpet), Bob Brookmeyer (valve trombone), Phil Woods (alto sax), Gary Burton (vibraphone), Tommy Flanagan (piano), John Neves (bass), Chris Swansen (drums)]
BookChattr is starting soon. Come join the DrumChattr community and read Learning to Listen: The Jazz Journey of Gary Burton: An Autobiography by Gary Burton. I started the book last week and I am really enjoy it. The style of writing is conversational and the information is informative and insightful. As I was reading the first couple of chapters, I starting think about how I would like to listen to the pieces Gary talks about in the book. So I decided to put together a resource guide (similar to the Steve Schick Listening Guide Part 1 & Part 2 that I compiled when we read his book). While some of these recordings are probably not the exact recordings Mr. Burton heard, I wanted to familiarize you with the pieces. If there is something I missed or if there is another version we should listen to, please leave your comments below and I will add them to the post.
A seven time Grammy Award winner, Gary Burton was born in 1943 and raised in Indiana. He taught himself to play the vibraphone and, at the age of 17, made his recording debut in Nashville, Tennessee, with guitarists Hank Garland and Chet Atkins. In the 1970s, Burton began his music education career with Berklee College of Music in Boston. Burton began as a teacher of percussion and improvisation at Berklee in 1971. In 1985 he was named Dean of Curriculum. In 1989, he received an honorary doctorate of music from the college, and in 1996, he was appointed Executive Vice President, responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the college.
Starting July 1st, we’ll read a few chapters a week. Each week, we will be putting up summaries and discussion points for the chapters. (Please use the link above to purchase your book. If you use this link, you will help support DrumChattr.)
After we finish the book, we will put together a Google Hangout to talk about the book. I am also going to email Mr. Burton and see if he will join us for an interview. Thanks and enjoy the book!
YouTube is one of the great resources on the internet. I am sure I am not telling you anything new, but I truly believe it is only getting better in the recent years. This is especially true since YouTube lifted the 10 minute limit on videos. Recently, I have watched live concerts featuring Miles Davis, Mike Mainieri, and Genesis to name a few. Today’s video of the Monty Alexander Trio is no exception. The camera and audio angles are fantastic and there a lot to learn from watching a live concert. This video features Monty Alexander (piano), Jeff Hamilton (drums) and John Clayton (bass) at Jazz in Marciac. Enjoy!
Originally posted on DrummChattr.com on May 25, 2012.
Ah…you have to love YouTube. In this video, Buddy Rich claims that playing traditional grip is the key to playing creatively behind the drums. I’ve often wondered why so many jazz drummers play this way. Do you think this is true? There is a GREAT moment toward the end of the solo he plays, and please cut us some slack on the language! Leave your thoughts below the post.
Originally posted on DrummChattr.com on February 6, 2012.
