A List of Bands that Feature Good Horns by Jackson

Early Bird Jazz guitarist Jackson S. (an 8th grader in the Early Bird Jazz Band class of 2009-2010) gave me a handwritten list of what he deemed bands with "good horns."  He wrote it on a little piece of paper in front of me, in about a minute, every band named exactly correct.  I've had his list for some months now and before I archive the paper, I want to transcribe it as it seems very interesting and worthy of exploration:

Good horns:

• The Specials
• Streetlight Manifesto
• The Toasters
• Fatter Than Albert
• The Aquabats
• Voodoo Glow Skulls

Good rhythm section Ska (per Jackson, "many edge towards punk"):

• Operation Ivy
• Left Alone
• Some Rancid Songs

I had the sense that Jackson was merely scratching the surface of the bands he could have named.  I won't be surprised when I add his own band to the list someday.

Jackson's love of Ska music was one of the main inspirations for my tune Freeway Ska.

Rob Birdwell

NAMS Jazz Festival 2010 - Photos

Terry Poe Photography took photos of our performance - you can view and order your own photos from this link:

http://www.poephoto.com

The photos are excellent - have a look!

The instructions on the handout were to click the "clients" page then the "Jazz Festival" link - you'll be prompted to enter a code to access the photos.  It is: jazzfest2010

Early Bird Jazz Band to Play Gracewindws Music 2009-12-12

!!! EARLY BIRD JAZZ BAND GIG ALERT !!!

Where:  Gracewinds Music, downtown Corvallis
When:  Saturday, December 12
Time:   Start at 12 noon (arrive by 11:35am to setup)
Dress: "Nice" - Festive Colors!

What to bring:  all your music; stand; your instrument of course!

Drums provided; bass amp(s) provided; possibly guitar amps too.

We'll play a short (20 minute) set TBD.  Short and sweet - a great chance to play!

Welcome to Early Bird Jazz - Season 7

This is the 7th season of the Early Bird Jazz program.  I'll be using this blog to communicate various "public" stuff - concert info, links, topical information, tips, etudes, and who knows all what!

The latest news so far:

We've started!  Early Bird Jazz at Linus Pauling started on September 16 (Wednesday), 7:45am.  If you just got the news, it's never too late.  Our schedule is as follows:

Wednesday & Friday, 7:45 - 8:45am in the Linus Pauling Middle School Band Room

Desired instrumentation:
Trumpet, Trombone, Sax (Alto, Tenor, Baritone), Bass, Piano, Guitar, Drums

Other instruments are possible and welcome, but you will likely need to transpose your part (although sometimes I help out with this!).  Historically, we've had Clarinet, Flute, and even French Horn, Tuba and Violin!

Gig dates: the only one so far is the North Albany Middle School Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 6, 2010.  The exact time of our performance is TBD.

Here's to a happy and fun season making music!

Rob Birdwell