It ain't exactly swing, but a cursory listen to the music of mandolinist David Tiller and the quartet, Tarka proves quite compelling. Tiller, along with wife and virtuoso violinist Enion join percussionist Dale Largent and upright bass foundations of Jason Flores create music drawn on a variety of influences - Jazz and Funk, Afro-Cuban, Gypsy and Klezmer, Celtic, Middle-eastern, and Classical music.

David wields mandolin and a fifths-tuned guitar he refers to as a "cello guitar." Driven by percussion, their music is thick with rhythmic intensity, Eastern European in its more modal harmonic & melodic structure.

You can sample their music and hear more at their Myspace entry, and three audio files at SoundClick.com.

Artist Website.

Posted by Ted at 06:07 AM

August 29, 2006 | New Directions for Chris Thile

Chris Thile has been a tremendous influence and inspiration to mandolinists all over the world, and despite his youth, has already left a powerful mark in redefining boundaries of what the instrument can do. His work with Mike Marshall is nothing short of stunning virtuosity. (See JazzMando review: Live Duets)

His solo CD, "Not All Who Wander are Lost" afforded him the opportunity very early in life to connect with some of Nashville's studio greats, and stretch his compositional wings. We are especially fond of his "Pop" incarnation with the highly successful Nickel Creek ensemble of his early boyhood.

Disappointing, but it appears N.C. has lost its steam, as is inevitable for most bands. We've had the privilege of attending two concerts over the years, always impressed with the way technical virtuosity could be masked with a good tune, commanding stage presence, and a primal "hook." His bandmates never failed to put on a fantastic show. According to Billboard magazine, it appears the inevitability of a band breakup is now official, read: Nickel Creek Going On Hiatus.

Interestingly, this was forecasted nearly two weeks earlier by Desert News critic Josh Loftin in a highly insightful read, Nickel Creek Seems Domewhat Disconnected. More than simple gossip, this is a fascinating article, worth a look.

Chris' latest Sugar Hill Records release is out Sept. 12th, Chris Thile CD, How to Grow a Woman From the Ground.

Unfortunately, not our cup of tea, so you won't find a review here. That said, anything Thile touches is done with technical brilliance, deep heartfelt passion, and worth a listen. If you are a little more oriented for an oxymoronical traditional "Newgrass" aura, you might find his new incarnation appealing.

We're really going to miss Nickel Creek, though. (Haven't felt this bad since the Beatles broke up.)

Posted by Ted at 06:36 AM

August 28, 2006 | The Duhks: Migrations

An exquisitely fresh acoustic sound, Canadian born The Duhks introduce their 3rd CD, "Migrations." Employing the ready production skills of folk stalwart Tim O'Brien and Gary Paczosa (O'Brien also lends his mandolin chops on two of the cuts), the young twenty-somethings stretch their wings and fly with tight instrumentals and vocal mastery in this dynamic Cerebral Folk genre.

Relase Date: September 12, 2006

Read our Review

Sugar Hill Records Information

Posted by Ted at 06:11 AM

August 26, 2006 | Maynard Ferguson Passes Away

Maynard Ferguson holds a special place in our hearts. Trumpet, Fluegelhorn, and dynamic Bandleader throughout the back half of the 20th century (born 5/24/28), he was a predominant force in big band jazz. Known for his pyrotechnical upper range skills (those immortal trumpet triple high Cs), he was only slightly lesser known for his ability to take young musicians and mold them into world-class professionals through his amazing touring bands.

Many aspiring jazz students throughout the world had the privilege of attending his workshops and hands-on clinics. Ferguson passed away August 23, 2006 leaving a tremendous legacy of music and inspiration to jazz connoisseurs and contemporary jazz pedagogy. Some may recall his brush with pop music in the 70s, having hit singles with the movie "Rocky" theme, Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," and a year later in 1978, the theme from the original "Battlestar Galactica" television series.

Though he never played the mandolin, we pay tribute to the energy he infused the great American artform of jazz, and the immense credibility he helped perpetuate within the genre.

Read All About Jazz Article.

Posted by Ted at 10:02 AM

August 24, 2006 | Centrum Master Classes: Crossing Musical Lines

Superhero mandolinist Mike Marshall, in yet another effective effort at "genre-bending" will join world-class bassist Edgar Meyer and Centrum Artistic Director John Clayton in an October workshop "Crossing Lines." The intensive, audition required workshop for bass, mandolin, and guitar players October 5-8, 2006. Centrum is set in the timeless beauty of Port Townsend Washington's Fort Worden State Park, in the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater.

Crossing Musical Lines will focus on improvised and composed music in the Western classical, jazz, and American Roots traditions, and will be limited to 30 participants. Following the intense series of Master Class sessions, the workshop ends with an intimate concert experience with Meyer, Marshall.

Audition information

Clinic Fees and Registration: Crossing Musical Lines

Posted by Ted at 07:23 AM

August 23, 2006 | New from Paris Swing

The Paris Swing Co. proudly introduces the John Jorgenson Signature Paris Swing Mandolin. You've been reading about it here at JazzMando, now it's out!

Donning his personal cosmetic details and attention to sound, the instrument according to Jorgenson, is "unlike anything that is currently available."

The mandolin features a solid sitka spruce top, solid AAA flamed back and sides, an ebony fretboard, a miniature D-hole soundhole with a Maccaferri-style rosette, and a clear pickguard with a Jorgenson label. Unique to the rest of the Paris Swing line up, the mandolin comes in a black finish and has the Paris Swing "Tour Eiffel" headstock label in Mother of Pearl./Abalone and gold leaf.

Jorgenson is an important current advocate of the American gypsy jazz movement. Even with his eclectic history as a pop and rock artist, gypsy jazz is the style that's closest to his heart. Jorgenson worked directly with Paris Swing Co. product designer Greg Rich to get his signature mandolin to meet these specifications.

Introduced last July at the Indianapolis Summer NAMM show, Paris Swing mandolins are available in D-hole, oval-hole and F-hole, and in natural and sunburst. Read our breakthrough review of the Samois MS-130.

View image

Visit Paris Swing

Artist website.

Posted by Ted at 05:29 AM

August 22, 2006 | Speaking the Language

New to jazz? We can help you fit in a little better with some terminology to reinforce your "hipness." It's important to know the lingo when hangin' with the cats. Especially the hep cats.

Of course, you know words like Axe (instrument: Hey, Jack, bring your "axe" over tomorrow and we'll jam), Bag (person's particular interest: I'd like to play with your combo, dude, but your sound just ain't my "bag."), and Bread (jazzman's word for money: Alright, Jack, if ya want me to play, ya gotta come up with some "bread.")

Let's review some others:

• Clams --- Mistakes while playing music.
  Charlie is really layin' down some "clams" tonight.
• Down by law --- is to have paid dues; that is, to have earned respect for your talent or ability to "get down."
  Charlie Parker spent years on the road working a lot of dives to fine-tune his craft. He earned every bit of success and recognition he later received. He was "down by law."
• In the Pocket --- Refers to the rhythm section being really together as in...
  Those guys are really in the pocket, tonight.
• Schmaltz or Schmalz --- It's the Yiddish word for chicken fat, and has been a slang term in the U.S. since the '20s for anything sickeningly sweet or "greasy", especially music or poetry.
  That Lombardo guy is popular, but he sure plays a lot of "schmaltz."
• Screwin' the Pooch --- Really bad mistakes while playing music.
  Roscoe must've had a bad day, cause he's really "screwin' the pooch."
• Torch --- Used occasionally as a description of a song that expresses unrequited love.
  Nobody could sing "torch" songs like Peggy Lee.
• Woodshed (or Shed) --- To practice.
  Duke was up all night shedin' that untouchable lick.

For a more thorough list, dig the "All About Jazz" Website Article: Jazz Slang

Posted by Ted at 05:56 AM

August 21, 2006 | Radim Zenkl

Not one to be limited by established preconceptions of the role of mandolin Czech (now California) mandolinist Radim Zenkl continues to break new ground in the instrument.

Featuring his own original music, his repertoire includes string jazz, New Age, flamenco, gypsy, Irish, bluegrass, Middle Eastern and classical music, combined with Czech and Eastern European traditional songs and instrumentals.

In addition to concerts, Radim offers educational workshops throughout the country.

Read the latest.

Read Mandolin Magazine Cover Feature.

Posted by Ted at 05:46 AM

August 19, 2006 | Mandopolis 2006

Seems the international center of mandolin innovation and horizon-expansion was in Puget-Théniers, France (Nice) this summer. The 2006 Mandopolis festival was held July 7-9, with a series of workshops and performances of diverse music of the world, including:
The Mamut Demir Ensemble (Turkey)
Mimmo Epifani & the Epifani Barbers (Italy)
Melonious Quartet (France)
Hep Taksim (Spain)
Luzi/Nascimento Duo (Brazil)

The goal of the Mandopolis festival is to put a new face on the mandolin, expanding it beyond rigid or obsolete folk stereotypes. Education, improvisation, and opportunity to experience firsthand a variety of music and unique instruments. Sounds like our kind of festival. Might be a good excuse to book a trip to France in July of 2007!

AltAVista English translation: Mandopolis Website

Posted by Ted at 11:57 AM

August 17, 2006 | Demise of Rigel Mandolins

Content removed out of respect for the stockholders and their families who had significant financial and emotional investments in this ground-breaking company.

Read Announcement

Posted by Ted at 10:16 AM

August 15, 2006 | Jets and Mandolins

The reappearance of airport security scrutiny due to current threats has certainly given the mandolinist a new concern when traveling, slinging ax. (Yes, poor choice of words to a TSA agent...) At best, a major inconvenience not knowing the policy du Jour, at worst, a trip sans mandolin.

That said, imagine what it must be like handling a cello, or a six-figure European violin in tow.

This New York Times article on orchestra tours certainly puts it in perspective.

Read: Tighter Security Is Jeopardizing Orchestra Tours

Posted by Ted at 03:50 PM

August 14, 2006 | Ted Falcon Allentown

Allentown Symphony Association presents: An evening of Brazilian choro and jazz Thursday, August 24th, 2006 at 8:00 pm, Symphony Hall Allentown, Pennsylvania Rodale Community Room. Violinist, mandolinist and Allentown native, Ted Falcon, performs with the prestigious Choro Ensemble of New York at Symphony Hall, Thursday, August 24th at 8 pm for the release party of his 4th CD, Memorias do Brasil, the day after their debut performance in New York City. (more information)

Falcon grew up in the west end of Allentown listening to Brazilian music of Villa-Lobos, Tom Jobim and Luiz Bonfa. Further study of the Brazilian choro music at Indiana University fueled his passion for the sound and brought him to forming his own group, the Los Angeles Choro Ensemble.

Memorias do Brasil is the artist's first mandolin recording in a program of elegant Brazilian choro and jazz. The CD features some originals and music from Jacob do Bandolim, Ernesto Nazareth, Hermeto Pascoal, Pixinguinha and Waldir Azevedo.

Choro Ensemble captures the authentic, swinging sounds of Choro music with dazzling instrumental virtuosity. New York's only group dedicated exclusively to the preservation and perpetuation of this once-endangered musical form best identified with the celebrated composer Pixinguinha, Choro Ensemble plays with a charming sound that moves from earthiness to elegance, with its own original contemporary Choros as well along with pearls of the repertoire.

Considered the "New Orleans jazz of Brazil," choro is experiencing a renaissance right now. It is a living cousin to American ragtime and early jazz played in jam sessions nightly throughout Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and all of Brazil. Musicians of all ages are drawn to the beautiful melodies, the rich harmonies and the upbeat rhythms played on guitar, mandolin, percussion, cavaquinho, clarinet, flute and other instruments. The Rodale Room at Symphony Hall is a perfect setting to introduce this type of music to the Lehigh Valley.

Tickets: $20, box office (610) 432-6715 or www.tix.com.
Historic Symphony Hall
23 North 6th St.
Allentown, PA 18101

Posted by Ted at 05:49 AM

August 13, 2006 | Diet Pepsi Jazz

With a name like that, how could we pass this drink by?...

Pepsi's latest release, the new Jazz Diet Pepsi had us chuckling until we tried it. It's a hit around the JazzMando laboratory; we wholeheartedly approve!

Though not available in all markets, Diet Pepsi Jazz Black Cherry French Vanilla has an exotic sort of sustaining sweetness, like the sound Scott Tichenor of the MandolinCafe.com gets out of his legendary Nugget mandolin. Best part, zero calories!

Product information: Diet Pepsi Jazz

View satisfied customer
.

Posted by Ted at 01:29 PM

August 11, 2006 | Hamilton de Holanda video

You've got to love YouTube.com! Prepare to be blown away by some of the Hamilton de Holanda videos posted there. We have all three of his CDs, and recently, a review of his latest Brasilianos posted in our Artist Spotlight section.

View Videos:
Hamilton de Holanda Trio

Hamilton de Holanda Quarteto

Hamilton de Holanda - 1 byte 10 cordas

Read CD Review

Posted by Ted at 05:39 AM

August 09, 2006 | Mike Marshall joins Kaufman Center Presentation

Now this sounds like fun: as part of the Kaufman Center's Masters Reimagined Series, Adventure Music is co-sponsoring Sound of the Sorcerer: The Music of Hermeto Pascoal at the Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, Sat. Sept. 9th at 8:30PM, featuring the Bobby Sanabria Big Band, Brazilian music master pianist and composer Jovino Santos Neto, Paquito D'Rivera and our own mandolinist-extraorinaire Mike Marshall.

Hermeto Pascoal, AKA "The sorcerer," who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, proves to be one of the most prolific composers living in Brazil, with an estimated 2,500 works in his book.

A US concert premier, contrasting the unusually large ensemble of Bobby Sanabria Big Band with Jovino Santos Neto, Mike Marshall and clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera will feature Pascoal's gentler side, in a lyrical chamber setting.

Read the All About Jazz Article.

Concert information

Adventure Music Website

Posted by Ted at 06:06 AM

August 08, 2006 | Handmaster Plus

We mentioned the Handmaster Plus in our Tips and Tricks section last month, but for those of you threatened by the icy pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, we think it's worth bringing up again. Though it sounds like some kind of device you’d see on a Christie Brinkley/Chuck Norris Infomercial, it's a very simple device based on two basic physical therapy principles, opposing muscles and blood flow.

Our limited "one-way" muscle approach to intense practicing is not unlike professional data entry computer keyboard typists. Small, isolated repetitive motion is killer on us old farts, and many young can suffer the same painful consequences. Basic stretching exercises are in order to counter these motions with muscles that do the opposite. Those that contract need to be offset by working those that extend, and the Gripmaster Plus is the answer.

View picture

A squeeze rubber ball with stretch rubber loops that attach to the thumb and finger, this simple device can give your fingers, wrists, forearms the therapy needed to intense damage that long practicing or gigging can inflict. Use this as a warm-up and get the blood flowing to the small capillaries of your hands and you’ll be ready to perform faster. Use it at the end of long playing sessions and you can warm down again a prevent further damage to your mandolinning muscles.

These are distributed by GHS Strings dealers and List Price is under $15.00. If you can't find one, contact us.

Read Tips and Tricks article: Stop the Pain

Posted by Ted at 05:54 AM

August 05, 2006 | Newport Guitar Festival: Phoenix Mandolins

One of our favorite builders, Rolfe Gerhardt of Phoenix Mandolins is displaying his wares at the Newport Guitar Festival in Newport, Rhode Island August 4-6. This event draws together other major innovators in guitar and mandolin construction in this hemisphere and beyond. New England area connoisseurs of tone, exploit this unique opportunity to see, hear, and feel a vast assortment of high quality instruments and talk one-on-one with their makers.

In particular, check out the inlaying and prime Neoclassical woods and construction of Rolfe's "Daisies." According the Phoenix website, "The idea of making the entire mandolin the "canvass" with inlays of daisies on just the ebony parts took six months from imagination to paper. The actual work of cutting out the designs and inlaying them into the ebony took probably seventy hours, one solid week for nothing but the fingerboard. When it was all done, the green stain shaded into black seemed the way to go with gold and black hardware on the tuners."

View image: Daisies

The Newport Guitar Festival is being held on at the Hyatt Regency and Conference Center in Newport.

Posted by Ted at 11:58 AM

August 03, 2006 | Midcontinent Music Clearance Sale

Ouch, one of our favorite online CD retailers is closing up shop. Bill Hamilton of Midcontinent Music is in the process of liquidating his vast inventory of acoustic string music, Jazz, Bluegrass, Cajun, Celtic, Classic Country, Western Swing, Choro, and Old Time. Basically, if it's good and played with a pick, Bill has it.

15% off all orders, so help Bill out, and thank him for his many years of bringing us some of the best music ever recorded.

Visit site: Midcontinent Music

Check out our own Recommended recordings; most of these already include links to his page:
Mando Jazz
Gypsy Choro
Mandolin Periphery

Posted by Ted at 06:01 PM

August 02, 2006 | Charlie Derrington

This morning the mandolin world mourns a hero, Charlie Derrington. The sudden fatality of a motorcycle accident, this mandolin mentor beloved by all, was killed by a drunk driver Tuesday night. As production manager, Derrington had been responsible for virtually single-handedly resurrecting Gibson mandolins back to the forefront of US manufacturing popularity in the late 1990s. His knowledge and passion for Loar era mandolins had guided Gibson's resurgence into a new era of craftsmanship and market appeal.

It all started with Charlie's gift for understanding construction and repair:

From the Tennessean (Nashville, TN) Thurs. April 26, 2001
"In fall 1985, after Monroe had reconciled with Gibson, a vandal entered his home and smashed the F-5 and another mandolin with a fireplace poker. The stunned musician took both instruments into the Nashville Gibson repair facility in a bag, and a young repairman named Charles Derrington set about sorting out over 500 fragments of wood, discerning which belonged to which instrument.

Bluegrass was born in the years after that purchase. Monroe's new instrument provided a swinging chop to the beat, while his instrumental breaks on fiddle tunes took on a new assertiveness and speed. Earl Scruggs' banjo and Lester Flatt's singing would round out the band most associated with the birth of the genre in 1946."

Our condolences to Charlie's wife, daughter, and the family of craftsmen at Gibson O.A.I.

Tennesean Brief

Posted by Ted at 02:25 PM

August 01, 2006 | Mandolin Sus Chords

Keeping you in "suspense," our latest MandolinSession.com article explores some of the misconceptions of contemporary chord notation of Sus4, Sus7, Add 9, and 2. Not only that, there are some cool new chord fingerings for you to try that work great in jazz, as well as pop, folk, and contemporary worship music.

Enjoy article: Keeping in Suspense.

Jazz Mandology is a regular feature in Mel Bay's bi-monthly on-line webzine, MandolinSessions.com.

Check out our back issue articles: Jazz Mandology

Posted by Ted at 11:20 AM