Message from the President - August 2011

Message from the President - August 2011:

Members of the North American Saxophone Alliance:

John NicholMy hope and wish is that you have had a restful and productive summer; finding time to practice, travel, gig, teach/attending summer camps, research, and attend masterclasses.   Now, many of us will prepare for another school year.

I encourage you to read and enjoy the North American Saxophone Alliance Updates that are listed on the front page of the NASA Website.  The Updates feature articles on the NASA Region II, III, V Conferences, 2011 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Results, Eugene Rousseau Saxophone Workshop at Shell Lake, Saxophone at the Midwest, Central Michigan University Saxophone Day featuring h2 Quartet and Don Sinta, and Third Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition.

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THE DOZENS: HOAGY CARMICHAEL

THE DOZENS: HOAGY CARMICHAEL: "

Hoagy Carmichael was born in Bloomington, Indiana on November 22, 1899. His given name, Hoagland, derived from a circus troupe “The Hoaglands” who stayed with the Carmichaels during Mrs. Carmichael’s pregnancy. Hoagy’s mother was a pianist, and by the age of 6, Hoagy was playing and singing himself. Hoagy received a law degree from Indiana University, but was unable to find lasting employment as a lawyer. Part of the reason was that he had discovered jazz, and his new friend Bix Beiderbecke encouraged him to write music. A slew of early hits, including “Riverboat Shuffle”, “Star Dust”, “Rockin’ Chair”, “Georgia On My Mi...

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In Conversation with Sonny Rollins

In Conversation with Sonny Rollins: "

By Stuart Nicholson

                    
Sonny Rollins by Ron Hudson

A Sonny Rollins concert is an event in the world of jazz. Rolling Stone once said that, in the future, people will boast of having seen Rollins perform, much as the lucky few now boast of having seen the great bebop pioneer Charlie Parker.

Rollins...

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THE DOZENS: CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE SELECTS CLASSIC RAY BROWN TRACKS

THE DOZENS: CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE SELECTS CLASSIC RAY BROWN TRACKS: "

                         
Ray Brown by Richard Laird

An apropos torch-passing occurred last May, when Christian McBride took possession of an acoustic bass that had belonged to Ray Brown [1926-2002], his prime influence, mentor, and frequent employer in the ‘90s ensemble Super Bass, along with John Clayton. “We had a very fatherly relationship,” McBride said in the cover feature in Downbeat’...

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THE DOZENS: NASHEET WAITS SELECTS 12 CLASSIC MAX ROACH TRACKS

THE DOZENS: NASHEET WAITS SELECTS 12 CLASSIC MAX ROACH TRACKS: "

In an era when drummers consider it a default performance practice to navigate a global template of rhythmic expression, it is important to remember that Max Roach (1924-2007) is the single most important figure in this development.

            
          
Max Roach, by Richard Laird

Just ask the drummers who knew him, as I did a few years back when Downbeat gave me the honor of writing a lengthy obituary. “Before Max, all the drummers, even the great ones like Baby Dodds or Gene Krupa ...

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