Boners

Hello and welcome back to my blog.  This week I'd like to start to share with you some of my favourite trombonists.

I'll start off with someone who I had my last trombone lesson with back in 2010 - Michael Dease.

During 2010 I traveled to New York and saw as many gigs as I could.  Before I left I was playing a small bore trombone with a tiny mouthpiece.  At that stage I had only recently discovered Michael Dease.  I was amazed at the great big mellow tone he produced, yet he was also still able to produce that 'zing' in his sound when needed.  After seeing a few gigs I realised that a lot of the guys who I was listening to generally play larger bore horns and larger mouthpieces, and during my lesson with Mike Dease he was quick to point out that I would do better with a bigger mouthpiece. 

Dease and band members from his 2010 release "Grace"

Upon my return from New York I tried a couple of larger mouthpieces I had and shortly after started playing on the biggest mouthpiece I had ever played on regularly.  I have continued to play on the same mouthpiece since and this just happens to be a Michael Dease model mouthpiece (Rath 5M.D.)  Later in the year I purchased a large bore horn as well.  I still play my small bore horn for a lot of situations but playing the larger mouthpiece has really changed my playing for the better.

Michale Dease has played and/or recorded with everybody which is amazing since he is only turning 30 years old this year.  Even more amazing is that he only took up trombone at the age of 18 and shortly after this was accepted to Julliard.  Dease currently has 4 albums as a leader which you can check out here.

Here is a clip of Michael Dease with his new project, "The Michael Dease Big Band", enjoy.
 

Here is the first Michael Dease thing I ever heard (thanks to YouTube)....scarily he's only 25 years old here.  Enjoy -

For my video of the week here is an artist I've just discovered in the last few days - Jose James.
Check it out and let me know what you think - I'm digging his sound and music a lot.  Hope you enjoy and thanks for reading.  More of my favourite trombonists coming in the following weeks.

My upcoming gigs for this next week -

May 16 - Chukale @ Livewire Bar, Treasury Casino, Brisbane - 8pm
May 17 - Chukale @ Cloudland, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane - 9.30pm
May 18 - Private Function, Brisbane






cheers,


shane hannan

The Road, EMO and Jazz Day

Hello blog readers!!  I'm posting a little later this week then I'd planned due to being on the road with Tom Burlinson.  Got to head North to some warmer weather in Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.  Always good fun being on the road with a good bunch of guys.

The view from my room - Beautiful weather as usual in Cairns

So I mentioned E.M.O. in my last blog.  E.M.O. is the Enthusiastic Musicians Orchestra - a big band performing almost exclusively original compositions and arrangements by local Brisbane and Australian composers.  The band just recently finished up a 3 month residency at The Turnaround Jazz Club.  The band is taking a little break at the moment before commencing another 3 month residency in August.  In the meantime if you would like to check out EMO and live in Brisbane you can see us for a one off gig at the Brisbane Powerhouse on June 14.  You can also check out EMO on iTunes or some live raw recordings from The Turnaround via EMO's blog.

EMO Album - One For B

Last Monday it was the first ever International Jazz Day.  You can read some info about the day here.
Brisbane celebrated Jazz Day with a parade led by Aussie Jazz Icon James Morrison and featured many local jazz musicians of all ages.  Here are some photos and a video from the fun day in Brisbane.

Jazz Day - Forbes, myself, Nathan, Josh, Shannon

Check out this cool photo I recently spotted of Mark Mullins from Bonerama and Harry Connick Jr -

Mark Mullins

Finally my video of the week.  I've been listening to a lot of Marshall Gilkes lately.  Here is a video of him performing his own composition "Downtime" with the WDR Big Band, which he is also a member of.
Enjoy -

My upcoming gigs for this next week -

May 9 - Chukale @ Livewire Bar, Treasury Casino, Brisbane - 8pm
May 10 - Chukale @ Cloudland, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane - 9.30pm



cheers,

shane hannan