Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms For the love of Jazz

Another point is, I think, if you're new to jazz, it's very helpful to know the song. Only then you have the key to understand and find it really exciting what is improvised.
For example, even if it's a bit trite for jazz routiniers, almost everybody knows "Summertime". Miles Davis plays such a spare as brilliant solo on the old recording. Or Cannonball Adderley's solo on "Autumn leaves", again with Miles Davis. The most important thing is, if it's not a pleasure, don't force yourself. If it is joy, then it can happen without having to know much about it.

Here's my old mate Ben Travers' take on it

That's very nicely played, Tim. Your mate has a great influence of Django/Gypsy style combined with some Latin rythm feeling. I also like the playful quotes like "Manhã de Carnaval", Luiz Bonfá at 1:13 instead of the lead theme.

It's a very good example to see the range of different style of improvisation.
Here for comparison Miles Davis with the Gil Evans Orchestra. The same song. Very sparse and cool, exactly the opposite of the rich and ornamentally phrased version by Ben Travers. Which version you like more is a question of personal taste. I like both in their own way.

Wow.
I was going to have my old acoustic rebuilt. I think I'll just leave it gathering dust after watching that, It's going to my niece anyway...

Always been a Miles Davis fan

I’m really missing going to jazz and jazz fusion gigs

I was going to around 2 a month in Manchester before lockdown

Some great stuff being recorded but it’s not the same as feeling it up close and personal

As to whether musicians need to know a chord is an A flat, Flattened 5th, augmented and demented 7th with an added 9th?

Only if he or she is the bloody piano player trying to keep up!

Love that Doc Watson clip.
I used to see Ben Travers when he was in Gypsy Fire with Stuart and that bonkers violinist. I wonder why that ended?
Nick

Ben Holder was the violinist. Enormously talented, but as you say, a bit bonkers.

Ben Travers left the band due to 'musical differences'. I think the other guys wanted to be a bit more showy/entertainers, Ben was a bit more serious about the music.

Any road up, Gypsy Fire are sadly no more, and Ben is working with Sade as a composer/arranger. Check out 'The Big Unknown', the song they wrote which was used on the soundtrack of the Steve McQueen film 'Widows'.

I'm a member of Ronnie Scotts - haven't been for ages (obviously) and really miss the place. I have been lucky to see some great jazz players over the years, from Steps Ahead to Pat Metheney. Most recently Larry Carlton - which was a superb evening.

I'm a big fan of Manu Katché, Esbjörn Svennson, Jan Gabarek, Dominic Miller, Michel Petrucciani, Dave Grusin, Jean Luc Ponty and, of course, Steely Dan.

Jazz is where it's at.

So it is not far from Steely Dan to Larry Carlton

Here is a just one year young interview by Rick Beato (I like his channel and watch it frequently) with Larry Carlton where he also tells about the time with Steely Dan during the studio work.

Not far at all! My boat was called Aja as it happens.