Checking out the many news articles and blogs that I check out daily, I ran across a little quiz from the BBC called: How Musical Are You?
Well, being an employee at an independent jazz record label and a freelance jazz trombone player, I was interested in figuring out exactly how musical I was. Click HERE to take the quiz yourself. Post your results in the comments section below! Here are my results:
OVERALL:
Musical Enthusiasm:
Yeah, I’m pretty enthusiastic about music. Music is fun!!
Musical Perception:
I apparently perceive music very, very well. Whether it is in or out of time, in or out of tune, good or bad, I perceive it!
Social Creativity:
I’m all about creativity. Not exactly sure what social creativity is…do I create within society? Yes. Do I stack people up and make living sculptures? No. Generally, I’m creating while being in the public eye, so I guess that explains it.
Musical Curiosity:
This is all about being interested in things (in this case, Music) that you are not familiar with. A few years ago, I probably would have scored much lower in this area. However, I have recently removed my musical blinders and opened my mind to new and different musics and the discoveries I have made have astounded me.
Emotional Connection:
First, let me say this: I AM NOT A ROBOT!! I have feelings! I feel things! I feel the emotional draw of music and sometimes music moves me to the point of near tears, or laughter. But, I don’t show my emotion. I guess I need to be more open. This is going to make a great subject for my future therapy sessions!
So a very interesting quiz that I hope you’ll take and then let us know how you did!
Great news !!
It’s been an exhilarating, inspiring, busy week in New Orleans. As a board member of the Jazz Education Network, I arrived Monday for board meetings in preparation for the 2nd annual conference. By Wednesday evening, the Roosevelt hotel was bustling with activity as the Jazz musicians, teachers, students, enthusiasts, writers, radio programmers, promoters, agents, and spouses and chaperons thereof started arriving in anticipation of the weekend. The theme of the conference was “Honoring Performance in the Birthplace of Jazz”. Several of New Orleans’ legendary performers and groups were featured, such as Astral Project, Dr. Michael White, Delfeayo Marsalis, Topsy Chapman, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and many more. In addition, performers included NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman, Lynne Arriale, the Airmen of Note, Jeff Coffin, Larry Ridley, and a long list of who is who in jazz.
The days were jam packed with more performances and informative clinics. Some of the exciting new projects were the introduction of the new Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz and the Quincy Jones Music Curriculum. Throughout the day the exhibit hall featured more than 70 exhibitors including publishers, instrument manufacturers, universities, etc. And anyone who wasn’t completely worn out after a day of back-to-back clinics, performances, meetings, visits could walk across the street into the French Quarter and enjoy New Orleans culture and food.
One of my jobs was to lead the nightly jam sessions at the Sazerac Restaurant. With a hotel full of the best jazz musicians in the world it wasn’t difficult to assemble a fabulous rhythm section and there was no shortage of jammers. Legendary bassists Gene Perla, Ratzo Harris and drummer Steve Barnes helped me kick off the evenings. Some of my highlights were playing a furious 6/8 Cuban version of All Blues with Bobby Sanabria and Don Braden and watching Shelly Berg do his magic on the piano keys.
The commissioned piece is titled ‘Kilgore’s Kin’ and is
dedicated to the writings of Indianapolis native 
Transient Journey. Many great reviews has come in for 
No need for a Top Ten List when we’re talking about the funky touring Jam 
Steve is also president of 
