San Francisco Bay area Jazz volinist Mark Chung has a site dedicated to Jazz Strings resources for violin, viola, and cello. Many well-known players are represented here, and the site continues to seek and promote up and coming talent.

Check in for string pedagogy, play-a-longs and transcriptions in his "Sources" section, along with other important resources for the jazz string player. Also worth mention it the New Releases and Events pages, with some references to online samples in the "Listen" listings.

We can learn a lot hanging with our open 5ths brethren. (And sisters, of course...)

View the JazzStrings Home Page.

Posted by Ted at 09:33 PM

June 27, 2006 | New Holanda

Adventure Music is releasing in stores July 11th two new CDs from Brazilian master mandolinist, Hamilton de Holanda. These new recordings include his Quintet, titled "Brasilianos" and the debut recording from the guitarist in that quintet, Daniel Santiago, which Hamilton produced.

"Adventure Music offers its artists a creative harbor to craft acoustic music that speaks to the heart and soul," says Richard Zirinsky, Jr., the label's president and principal. "We intend to provide the freedom and resources our artists need to create and share the pure and joyful music of their cultures," Zirinsky concludes. He founded Adventure Music with friend and business partner Robert Corroon along with JazzMando fave, Mike Marshall.

Adventure Music burst onto the scene in 2003 to produce and license the music of Brazilian and Latin American artists, including among others, Luiz Avellar, Mario Adnet, Moacir Santos, Toninho Horta, Tom Lellis, Antonio Arnedo, Benjamim Taubkin, Teco Cardoso, Ze Nogueira, Nicola Stilo, Gui Mallon, and Itibere Orquestra Familia, providing a creative outlet in the U.S. beyond their local shores. This music includes a rich heritage of harmonic complexity and rhythm within the framework of accessible folk sensibility.

We're looking forward to reviewing this soon. Meantime, check out our recommendations of other Brazilian music in our Gypsy/Choro page.

Visit website: Adventure Music

Posted by Ted at 06:10 AM

June 25, 2006 | Gianna Mandolins

Welcome new website sponsor Stephen Perry of Gianna Violins and Mandolins! The world's largest dealer of fine, hand-crafted, Eastman Mandolins, Perry brings a centuries-old violin tradition of instrument preparation to the mandolin, carefully attending to the fine details of professional set-up in the shop prior to purchase. His world renown reputation for excellent setup, branded and trademarked "mandovoodoo®" yields maximum playability and acoustic optimization, even for entry and intermediate level mandolins

Stephen reports a heightened amount of interest recently in Eastman's new affordable Two-point instruments in discriminating jazz circles (although one shouldn't rule out opportunities for the jazzer in the Eastman line of traditional Florentine and "A" body mandolins).

Also coming soon to the Gianna website, the world's premier and christening of the new Draleon Gypsy Mandolin, the Royale!

Stay tuned; JazzMando staff will be in close contact with Gianna and Century instruments on the upcoming unveiling in July.

Visit the Gianna Violin and Mandolin website

Check current stock

Posted by Ted at 12:03 PM

June 24, 2006 | Draleon Mandolins

Oo la, la! Coming soon from Century Strings, the Draleon gypsy jazz series mandolins. Deep-voiced, punchy, clear and loud, this true jazz mandolin lets you blow sweetly through ballads, but still punch out complex rhythms. Tagged, the "Royale," we had the chance to sample the prototype last January. Needless to say our hopes are very high and we are anxious to see the first run at Summer NAMM in Austin, Texas.

Features:

• Maccaferri-inspired design


• AAA tonewoods


• X bracing


• Spirit varnish topped with lacquer


• Large, deep body for power and depth


• Gig bag

List Price: Pending

More information at the Gianna Violins Website

View picture of the new Draleon "Royale"

Posted by Ted at 06:05 AM

June 22, 2006 | Gringo do Choro

An amazing night of trombone, mandolin, and Brazilian rhythms, this year's 3rd concert in the Jazz in June series brought over 6,000 to the outdoor venue in Lincoln, Nebraska. New Orleans based Rick Trolsen wielding trombone and triangle entertained with some of the best literature of the musical magic of Brazil.

Our own John Eubanks, jazz mandolinist and guitar virtuoso (13-year veteran Loyola University faculty) complemented trombone and rhythm section masterfully with his Rigel A+ Deluxe mandolin. Reckless but calculated abandon, the free-spirited musicians dazzled the crowd with their dynamic, high energy music.

For pictures and comments, check out our Jazz in June report:
Rick Trolsen and Gringo do Choro

Posted by Ted at 08:56 AM

June 19, 2006 | More FFcP

New to JazzMando, more advanced FFcP exercises! This pedagogical approach to gaining fretboard familiarity has been our most popular and widely accepted tool, crossing lines of genre and playing style.

We've just added Part IV, "Patterns Overboard," a set of Circle of Fifths exercises that takes you out of the trap of relying on one area of the mandolin fingerboard, banding two FFcP patterns in two-octave exercise. These can be added to your daily warm-up routine, along with the SuperFFcP, and should also hone improvisational skills as you develop melodic "nuggets" for your soloing.

Go to lesson: Patterns Overboard

Let us know how this and the other FFcP lessons are helping your playing: Contact

Helping you with your other "Circle of Fifths" exercises: Circle of Fifths Polish Cloth

Posted by Ted at 05:46 AM

June 17, 2006 | Jazz Math

We joke about the often oxymoronic term, "Musician Math" around JazzMando Headquarters. The world of logic and concrete mathematical structure is often at odds with the creative, fluid world of the "artist."

Two plus two does not equal four; in "Musician Math." Two plus two equals Bb Major. (Of course, Bbmaj7#11 for the jazz musician.)

Enjoy this thought-provoking article contributed by jazz pianist Bill Anschell at the All About Jazz website:

Article: Jazz Math

Recommended: All About Jazz Website.

Subscribe: All About Jazz RSS Feed

Posted by Ted at 02:58 PM

June 15, 2006 | Cool Mandolin Company

Special welcome to new JazzMando sponsor, the Cool Mandolin Company. We're especially excited about this addition because not only do they offer a tantalizing line of mandolin-specific shirts, hats, posters, and other related product, but according to founder Laura Leder, "The ultimate goal of Cool Mandolin Company, once we pay our rent, is to be able to provide scholarship funding to future mandolinists. The best things in life have to be shared!

"I wanted to promote not only the mandolin but also the extraordinary young talent among mandolin players. My site features the music and photos of the next generation of 'mandolin legends'."

Check out the site and listen to some great new mandolin music as you shop. Flash driven graphics (requires Flash 8, downloadable on the opening page of the site) give you the ambience to remind you how proud you are to be be a part of our 8-string wonder.

Like JazzMando, the site is both philosophically and financially geared to direct merchandise profits back into the mandolin community through scholarships and artist promotions.

Check it out: Cool Mandolin Company or better, click on one of the banner ads on this site.

Be sure to tell Laura you heard about her cool stuff here, and thank her for the support of JazzMando!

Posted by Ted at 07:28 PM

June 14, 2006 | John Eubanks

Featured with trombonist Rick Trolsen and his "Gringo do Choro," will be jazz mandolinist John Eubanks in the 3rd Jazz in June concert, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Tuesday, June 20th. Based out of New Orleans, these world-class musicians deliver exciting, high-energy Brazilian jazz.

A virtuoso jazz multi-instrumentalist, Eubanks has played guitar with fellow Loyola University faculty John Mahoney and the John Mahoney Big Band as well as Crescent City renowned clarinetist, Tim Laughlin.

John is in demand as a first-call session rhythm guitarist around New Orleans, and will be slinging his "Vermont Bandolim," his Rigel A+ Deluxe mandolin in what promise to be an exciting evening concert of complex Latin Rhythms and lush Euro-Amercian harmonies.

Concert information: Jazz in June with Rick Tolsen and Gringo do Choro.

Posted by Ted at 05:23 PM

June 13, 2006 | Jamie Masefield

Fantastic read at All About Jazz. Author Doug Collette inverviews JazzMando "Hall-of-Famer," Jamie Masefield about the evolution of his career, particularly his recent efforts to "move the music out of sticky-floored rock clubs and into nice listening environments." 14 years of hard-paid dues touring the US and beyond with break-through instrumentalists Jazz Mandolin Project, his latest ventures include a JMP multi-media presentation of video and Tolstoy, in addition to a an acoustic duo with guitarist Doug Perkins.

Last year's departure, "The Deep Forbidden Lake" a "quiet acoustic ruminations of mandolin. piano and double bass on a diverse selection of material ranging from the works of Neil Young and Radiohead to Django Rheinhardt and Ornette Coleman" is reviewed here on the site.

Read the article: Jamie Masefield: Re-invention

Read our review: The Deep Forbidden Lake

Posted by Ted at 05:54 AM

June 12, 2006 | Jon's the Mann

Excited to see friend and ace innovative builder Jonathon Mann get some good press. Reviewed in the May/June issue of American Songwriter, Mann is lauded for his unique design and originality in construction. His "neck-through" mandolins are as eye-grabbing as they are fun to play. We've scored one of his earlier 5-string electric mandolins, where he continues to break new ground and attract player and industry attention.

His work is new enough that his prices are extremely reasonable and aren't stratospheric... Yet.

Keep an eye on this Mann...

Read article: Manndolin: Two Point Mandolin

Read our review: Five-string E-Manndo

Builder's website: Manndolins

Posted by Ted at 05:43 AM

June 10, 2006 | Strummin' With the Devil

Instrumental virtuoso John Jorgenson is at it again, completely bushwhacking his audience with a new musical direction. This time in a "tribute" album to the music of Van Halen. Seems there's a fine line between tribute and parody, and Jorgenson blurs that magnificently with expert playing, clever arrangements and the best of Nashville's side musicians in his latest accomplishment "Strummin' With the Devil."

The CD is a Bluegrass band rendition of 14 Van Halen hits, and even features their popular (ex)frontman, David Lee Roth on a couple of the tunes. You haven't lived until you've heard the iconic Eddie instrumental synth solo from "Jump" interpreted by banjo...

Though potentially an opportunity to alienate two "traditionalist" camps, BOTH the mullet-wielding, 80's adolescent-arrested VH fan, and Bluegrass Police purist, we think this project is worth a close study. Jorgenson's mandolin chops are as amazing as his Gypsy guitar (and clarinet!), and like his immersion into the music of Django Rheinhardt last year, this is expert and convincing. He's done his homework and knows the terrain.

A blistering mandolin solo on "Hot for the Teacher" by David Grisman, hits "Panama" and "Running with the Devil?" Come on, this CD is a must have! It's also been great to see friends Jorgenson, fiddler Stefan Dudash and bassist Charlie Chadwick running the television late night talk show circuit recently.

Go ahead and... Jump!

Purchase Information

Posted by Ted at 06:27 AM

June 07, 2006 | The Glasse "Sealing"

What an evening... Paul Glasse absolutely knocks 'em dead with his virtuoso, highly tasteful Bebop pyrotechnical skills. He fit in magnificently well backed by the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra in the 2006 Jazz in June concert series in Lincoln, Nebraska, slinging his stunning signature series Stevens Electic 5-string mando. This is the 15th year of the nationally acclaimed Jazz in June series.

Though he suffered a near-fatal auto accident 18 months ago, he has healed sufficiently and is ready to take the world on with his incredible musicianship and playing skills.

He's back!

Pictures and coverage: Jazz in June

Article in the local paper: Jazz in June Attracts 5,000

This concert was underwritten in part by JazzMando.com. Look for JazzMando to sponsor similar national events in the future.

Posted by Ted at 10:36 PM

June 05, 2006 | Go Pack

Pretty Cheesy, Bill...

From the twisted mind and apt workbench of Old Wave Mandolins master craftsman, Bill Bussman, the new "Cheesehead" mandolin. Guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of any sentimental Packers fan, this magnificent instrument according to Bill is an "X-braced red spruce top, hard maple back, shellac over Bonita Barlow oil painting over shellac sealer. I thought about this for several years before I finally realized that, yes, God is, in fact, a Green Bay Packer fan."

Check it out: Cheesehead 8-string Mandolin

Bill is currently working on our own SoloComp 4-string Alto Guitar/Jazz Mandola, ETA early Fall 2006. For a review of his work, read our thoughts on his Old Wave Mandola.

Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and meekness is the sign of true strength. Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love.

Vince Lombardi

Posted by Ted at 10:46 AM

June 03, 2006 | Porch Swinging

Ah, Summer is merely days away. Great time to hit the porch swing and do a little pre-dusk "swinging" of our own...

Might we recommend doing this with style, particularly French with the new Paris Swing Series Samois, wide-mouth D hole mandolin. Select, solid AAA flamed maple back and sides, a flamed maple neck and a solid sitka spruce top with a delicious tortoise-shell binding; a little professional tweaking, this is a fabulous value, terrific bang-for-buck as well as an eye-catching treat. (Street priced under $600!)

We're excited to see this kind of product opportunity, graduating beyond entry-level and into the development of intermediate-level product, especially one that promotes one of our favorite genres, the Gypsy-Jazz stylings of Django Reinhardt.

View site: Paris Swing

View image

Read review: Samois

Posted by Ted at 03:13 PM

June 02, 2006 | Falcon Press

Always nice to see one of JazzMando's Faves, Ted Falcon getting some good press. Seems his recent CD release has generated quite a positive buzz, and no surprise to us. His music is the real deal, and if you ever wanted a good solid introduction to Brazilian Choro, his recent CD Memórias do Brasil would be a terrific place to start.

Read latest article.

Read our review.

Purchase Information: Memórias do Brasil.

Posted by Ted at 02:35 PM

June 01, 2006 | June Mandolin Sessions

New at Mel Bay's MandolinSessions.com, "Scratching the Surface of Chord Melody Playing on the Mandolin."

In this June issue of Mel Bay's popular bi-monthly webzine, we tackle that illusive mental bridge between chording and playing melody with just a few tricks to get you started. Volumes of music theory can take you deep into the subject, but we just wanted to introduce you to some rudimentary ways of getting over the fear of playing one of the coolest styles of mandolinning on the planet, Chord Melody.

Read the article: Scratching the Surface...

Check out the other great articles, too. If this is your first time their check out the back issues, or visit our own index: Jazz Mandology

Posted by Ted at 12:20 PM