Well it’s a beautiful February morning here in Nashville. After an incredibly rewarding weekend of playing with Gladys Knight, spring has descended upon us here and is working hard to make us forget about our frozen troubles. One moment that we SHOULD try to freeze in time is this one. I recall seeing Esperanza play bass in Donald Harrison’s quintet at Newport in the summer of 2007 and being blown away by her playing and presence. I didn’t know anything about her then and she didn’t sing on this gig, but her love and passion for music and performance were communicated as clearly as any artist I have EVER seen or heard. Speaking of inspiring jazz singers, I’m very happy to announce the special guest …
How do I know if I’m ready?
The onset of February has made me realize I’ve been downright awful at keeping up with posts here – my apologies! Rest assured that the recent inactivity of this blog in no way reflects the musical happenings here in Tennessee. I’ve finally got the ball rolling on my most important project to date, although I am hesitant to talk about it before I have all of the details finalized. Exciting news: next week I’ll be backing up Gladys Knight with the Nashville Symphony. The “Empress of Soul” had her major hits before my time, but if you haven’t listened to ‘Midnight Train to Georgia‘ recently, you absolutely must! The monthly jam session started off 2011 very well with a great performance and information session provided …
Jam Session Tune – Sneak Preview
Here’s a sneak preview of the tune I’ll be passing out at the NJW jam session tomorrow. A little Scolohofo – enjoy! [audio:http://www.evancobbjazz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Oh-I-See-head.mp3]
Last NJW Jam of 2010
Cold rainy days and 5:00pm dark have shocked me into the realization that we are suddenly near the end of 2010 – thanks Mother Nature. Besides overeating and and mittens, the end of the calendar year comes with another caveat, the last Nashville Jazz Workshop Jam Session of the year. “But it’s only November!” True. But the third Sunday of December is officially holiday season, so we’ll be taking that month off from the jam and coming back in January, just in time to take your Super Bowl bets. But do not despair, as the NJW Jam has been growing strong and will finish with a flourish! This coming Sunday November 21st, we’ll be featuring the amazing pianist Bruce Dudley, fresh off his DMA Lecture/Recital …
The Week That Is
For many years I’ve believed the adage “when it rains, it pours.” This was of course ALL too true here in Nashville this past May. On the lighter side of the adage, it is true for my schedule this upcoming week. Allow me a moment to fill you in on the fun details. Tuesday night I’ll be playing with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra at its weekly spot in East Nashville at the French Quarter Cafe starting at 7pm. Wednesday night is jazz night at Sportman’s Grille in Hillsboro Village, and this week I’ll be leading a quartet of fine musicians through originals and standards. This coming Thursday, Friday, and Saturday marks my first service with the Nashville Symphony, and we’ll be playing a fun concert …
Nashville’s Jazz Party of the Year
This coming Sunday is the big day for the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s Annual Fundraiser. The event kicks off at 4pm at the Limelight (right across from the Titans’ stadium) and is filled with food, a huge auction, and of course great music featuring many of Nashville’s finest musicians. More details about the musicians, auction items, and event in general are available here, including a link to buy tickets. Hope to see you there! -evan
Laugh laugh giggle giggle SPLAT!
While the weather and my mind tell me it’s still summertime, my teaching schedule is telling me that we are most definitely in September, as hard as it may be to believe. I’ve got some fun gigs on the horizon, notably joining the amazing vocalist Dara Tucker for her set at the Franklin Jazz Festival. I’ll also be traveling with Nashville’s finest funk band The Dynamites for shows in Brooklyn and near Boston. Since it is September, I also wanted to tell you about the next featured guest at the Nashville Jazz Workshop Jam Session. But first a joke. How do you make a euphonium player’s car more aerodynamic? Take off the Domino’s Pizza sign. Okay back to reality. Our next featured guest is a …
Heavy Brass
What’s heavier, a pound of brass instruments or a pound of woodwinds? Okay okay, stupid question. I was thinking about heavy brass though because I wanted to tell you about the next featured guest at the Nashville Jazz Workshop Jam Session. This coming Sunday August 15th, we’ll be featuring trumpeter Matt White at the jam. Matt holds a DMA in jazz from U Miami, teaches at Belmont University, and completely shreds changes. I’ve gotten to hear a lot of him with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra (including tonight, if you feel like coming down to the French Quarter Cafe) and in Cobb’s Mob, and I’m sure you’re going to dig what he plays and what he shares this weekend. So come on out! Sunday, August 15th …
Site Updates
Friends, It’s been a long time coming, but I’ve finally gotten around to updating my website with some pertinent information about the musical universe in Tennessee. If you have a moment, take a look at a very updated LINKS page. I’ve also created an TEACHING page to reflect all of the work I’ve been doing in music education. Also notice that the CALENDAR has a number of new shows out in Perry County. I’ve been participating in a wonderful summer concert series out there organized by Hugh Waddell. The series has and continues to feature a slew of wonderful diverse artists from all over the musical map. Don’t forget to put the next Nashville Jazz Workshop Jam Session on your calendar – Sunday August 15th. …
Next Jam July 18th 2010
Well after a month away from Nashville for some much needed R & R, Nashville Jazz Workshop Jam Session ready. This month our featured guest will be the very talented vocalist Christina Watson.  She’s one of my favorite singers and also teaches classes at the Jazz Workshop, including one starting in August titled “Introduction to Vocal Literature.” I’m looking forward to learning from her and playing with a hip rhythm section, I hope you are too! NJW Jam Session Sunday, July 18th from 4 to 6 pm. FREE! -evan
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