So You Want To Play In a Band Part 3

Here’s where it gets interesting. I had been playing small groups and the College Jazz Lab Band. One night after jazz band I was approached in the parking lot by Jerry Byville. I knew Jerry from different jam sessions I had a played around the area. He was fine trumpet player and improviser. He had this idea of starting a band with a full horn section (trpt, trmb, and sax). You need to get the full picture- this was the last week of October it was dark, raining/sleeting and cold. We were huddled next to a truck listening to Louis Jordan singing Caledonia. Then he popped the question, “well what do you think?” Jerry Byville only has two speeds- go and go hard. I knew from this conversation that he would require a high level of dedication to this band which resonated with my own ideas. At this point I asked about other band members and was informed that Todd Oliver would be on trombone. I was sold. Our first practice would be the following Wednesday. I went home that evening pretty excited and a little nervous. This was what I had been striving for, but I wondered if I would be able to play in that environment.

Wednesday came and Jerry, Todd and I met at Jerry’s (in the basement). Jerry had recorded a few MP3 key board parts for us to play along with. Caledonia and Let’s Stay Together were the first charts we worked on, some hand written, some professional arrangements. We played for a couple of hours and then we sat and discussed our next steps.
We needed to fill out the rhythm section, bass, keyboards, guitar, and drums. The search was on! I had Pete Murphy in mind for drums. I did know a couple guitarists; however I was not sure if their style was correct for the band we were forming. I decided to have another open jam session at Espresso Bay. I invited Pete and a guitarist and bassist that I knew. Jerry and Todd were also there. Pete played like I knew he would. Jerry wasted no time and invited him to our next practice.

As for the rest of the members of the band, Jerry had invited them to try out. We listened and discussed with each member the dedication it would require to make this band happen. As they agreed they joined. Dave North bassist, he has a tremendous ability to create interesting bass lines that fit into any style the band is playing. Mark Filbert on guitar, the beauty and soul he put in every lick made me think of Wes Montgomery. Al Lynch on keyboards, his background playing horns, guitar, and others made him full of insight and surprises. Lead vocals were handled by Melissa Burrone. She sang rhythm and blues like no one I had ever heard before. She could handle a crowd (as we would find out later).

Well there it is, the first incarnation of the yet to be named BlueShadow Band.
Jerry Byville –trumpet
Todd Oliver-trombone
Bill Kneisel-saxophones
Pete Murphy-drums
Mark Filbert-guitar
Dave North-bass
Melissa Burrone-lead vocals
Al Lynch-keyboards

Next Time –First gig only 2 months away

So You Want To Play In a Band Part 2

I played with that group for 2 years. During that time I still played most Fridays at the House of Doggs. Playing Jazz with others became a passion. Each musician brings something different to the table. To that end, it became important to me to create small venues in which there would be opportunities to play with other people.



It is surprising what can be created with a little effort and perseverance. OK, luck helps too.



My wife invited the owner of a garden center/gift shop to hear me play at the diner.

(Full disclosure- my wife was managing the owner's downtown store at this time.)



The owner enjoyed the music and the next time I saw her she asked if I would play in the garden area of Wildflowers.



The first couple of times it was a solo act. Later I was joined by a trumpeter Alan (a fine player).

I didn't recognize his name until we met at Wildflowers for the first time. Only then I realized that we had played in the college jazz band mentioned earlier.



With the blessing of the owner I invited other players. She began to promote it as an open jam session. We had set up a keyboard for anyone who wanted to sit in.



"If you provide a venue, they will come", or in other words it seems that musicians will always show up to play. Some nights there would be as many as 8 musicians. At the peak we had a classically trained pianist, drummer with a full kit, trombone, 3 trumpets, sax, 2 guitars, bass and a vocalist. All playing jazz. Some became regulars, some just by chance.



There is one particular evening I would like to relate. It was warm and sunny and we ended up with a 5 piece ensemble cooking along (piano, trumpet, guitar, drums and me on sax). We had played thru the first set and into set 2 calling up Song for My Father(one of my faves). The head was played, Al played his lick and I started in. I could hear some discussion going on behind me but I was intent on chord changes. Al said "take another". You don't have to ask me twice, so I launched into the progression. I was really on the fly. I noticed Al walking into the garden. Now all I hear is the drums and guitar. Al and the piano player are speaking to Annie Ross of Lambert Hendricks and Ross. Being the astute Jazz lovers they were, they recognized her right off. The rest of the ensemble finished the song and went down to meet the jazz innovator. My brush with greatness.


Many great evenings were had there. Thank you Donna Bergen (owner of Wildflowers) for the opportunity to play and grow in that garden.

At this time I was approached by a Dixie Band leader that was currently playing Tenor Sax in his band. He wanted to move back to clarinet and needed so one to to play the sax parts. Steve Weldon allowed me to play in that group for a couple of years and I still fill in from time to time. If you ever get a chance to play in a Dixieland band do it! The music can be challanging but there is nothing like it.

So You Want To Play In a Band Part 1

To start with I love to listen to Jazz. Hank Mobley, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Getz and John Coltrane being my favorites. The abilty to take a tune, mold it and move the lines to create a completely new piece of music. This is where it starts.

I found that I wanted to create music in a similar way.

30 years ago I did play clarinet and bass clarinet and would on occassion take the clarinet out, dust it off and play pieces that I played in High School.

Fast Forward to 2004- my son was playing Bari Sax in the Jazz Band and was bringing the school's bari home to practice. I think that is when I was hooked.

I purchased my own reeds and played it whenever I could. As high school students do, my son graduated, and with that the bari was gone.

I continued to play on an old alto sax, playing along with John Coltrane on his Ballads recording.

Finally, I decided to take it the next step. I told my wife that I wanted to feel confident enough to play in front of other people and possibly get paid. Her response was and I quote "I would rather walk on glass than perform in public." She suported me anyway and a very inexpensive Tenor Sax was purchased.

I learned basic chord changes on tunes like Summertime, Autunm in New York, Song for My Father and 10 others. Gathering all of my nerve I set off for some of the small eateries to try my luck.

What I found was that no one wanted to pay you to play at their place. I am not sure what I had expected. Stopping at the House of Doggs (small place that sold hot dogs with a kinda of a House of Blues theme) the owner said he was thinking of doing Kareoke but he would let me play the next Friday.

Friday came along and using the sound system for the Kareoke, I put a CD with rythm back up.
I had asked a few friends to come along to support the effort and buy a couple of hot dogs. Suprisingly the first couple of songs went off pretty well. I even had perfect strangers applaude. The owner came out with a jar with sign that said "TIPS" and some notes drawn on it. Then it happen a guy who had been listening to the first set. Stood up smiled and nodded and dropped a five in to the Jar. I almost lost chord progression in shock. By the end of the evening there was nearly $30 in the jar. I went to the kids working the counter and split it with them.

The Owner asked me back for next the Friday. Before I played my first note on that occasion he spotted the Tip Jar $20 in various bills.

I have found that many horn players are also looking for a place play in public. My friend Todd played along side me at the House of Doggs. We found a real kinship for playing jazz together. I want to say that there are moments when playing with other musicians you will communicate with them musically and it becomes a coversation that is then shared with patrons (audience) it is a special moment. This has happened over and over again yet it is a new thrill each time.

At this time I was holding Jazz Jam sessions at Espresso Bay(in the back room). These started out with just me and some recorded tracks. A guitar player I met at the coffee house joined me and played a few times, just the two of us. Todd made it a regular trio on Thursday nights. The three of us played one paying gig as the "Jazz Cats".

One evening we were doing our thing and a young man popped in and asked if we could use a drummer. We said we could and that we would be here next week at the same time. Pete showed up with his kit. I am here to tell that Pete Murphy is best jazz drummer I have ever played with. His abilty to make that kit sound melodic was nothing less than amazing.

I have had as few as 2 and as many as 9 muscians packed into that back room. It can become a riot one player trying to top another.

Putting yourself out there in different sitiuations becomes a chance to grow.
My wife clipped out of Northern Michigan College class offerings, the 5:30 Jazz Band Lab. "You should look into this." as she handed me the snippet of paper. I had my doubts that I could sit in with a Big Band with real charts.
It was an education on Basie, Goodman, and Miller. You will learn how to SWING in that setting. In that setting I was asked to play the lead clarinet on "Lets Dance" and "Moonlight Serenade". I stood in front of that band and played for all I was worth. We recorded those charts and I will include them in this space.

I will get back later ----I have a gig to get to.