Well readers, it’s a busy and exciting time for this ol’ jazz clarinetist while I prepare for my live trio recording next week (@ The Cellar, Aug 6/7, 8:30pm) and get ready to release my electroacoustic ep. That’s right, the same electroacoustic project that I started recording a year ago. The same project that I have been hyping so much for so long that it has surely long since raised expectations beyond reason and as such could do nothing but disappoint.

… Or could it?

Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that on August 21, when I will not only be releasing the music to the world, I will make it available to listen to for free via streaming mp3 right here at www.jamesdanderfer.com

I’m sure some of you are thinking “Way to go Danderfer, by making your music free to stream you’ve just assigned a $0.00 value to your music. How much did you invest into this? Good job smart guy, sounds like a winning business model to me.”

While at the same time the other half of you are thinking “Umm,… duh?! Of course you’re going to make it available to as many people as possible! It’s 2010 already so blow the dust off that old business model ’cause there’s no going back. What’s to gain by withholding? Spread the word!”

Rest assured, Danderfer knows what he’s doing. Actually, I don’t, BUT I do know this: I’m really enjoying this new musical direction and I want to share it with as many people as possible. Making it more difficult to access isn’t likely going to help sell downloads and so I’d rather have the satisfaction of knowing that lots of people will be able to listen to it, and perhaps enjoy it, and maybe tell others about it, and maybe,… just maybe some of those people will enjoy it enough to support it/me.

Anyways, there’s still lots of work to be done before I can present this project so I’m going to wrap up this SMNP and get back to it.

Thanks for reading and if you do come down to The Cellar next weekend then please say “hello”!

Actually, this isn’t a post. I’m taking the week off due to being in Edmonton this weekend,… that’s right,… the “City of Champions.”

Tune in next week for,… something.

Have a great week everyone!

I’m feeling a bit tired this morning and boy are my legs sore! You see, it’s the sweet spot of Summertime in Vancouver right now, which means that it’s not raining for awhile, the sun is shining, and the temperature is perfect; hot but not too hot.

Great weather for biking around town (instead of driving), playing frolf (frisbee-golf), and drinking. Which incidentally, is exactly what I was doing last night. In case you’ve never tried it, an evening of partying followed by biking hard for 30mins in a very hilly city leads to a tired morning.

Anyways, my good friend who I was biking with is a lawyer, and a very sensible guy. The kind of guy who will become a lawyer and then, rather than live it up like,… well,… like a 32 yr-old lawyer could, he chooses to live at home while he pays off debts and consequently saves up to buy a house. A pretty solid plan.

So on this bike ride he said a few things which are ringing in my head this morning; he was talking about our mutual friends who work in a business which is typically contract to contract, 6 months at a time, not locked in to anything while also not receiving any sort of health benefits or pension. “I sure hope they’re planning ahead, because job-wise it’s a different world from what our parents knew. Businesses are not taking care of employees anymore, everybody’s on their own.”

Later on in the exhausting bike-ride (he’s also in better shape than me so I was struggling to keep up and wheezing like a cardiac arrest victim) he went to talk about our “spending generation”, buying nice cars and houses they maybe can’t afford. Meanwhile, a lot of these people aren’t putting away savings for a time when they aren’t working due to health issues, or economic issues, or simply having an out-of-date skillset. “It’s gonna catch up with them,… it has to.”

You may be thinking this guy is a tad too sensible. I don’t think so, to me, “too sensible” is only the case when someone isn’t enjoying their lives, and that’s not the case here.

Anyways, it made me think “Yeah, that would be kind of irresponsible to not save up for that point in time when you can’t (or don’t want to) work anymore, to be dependent on others when you’re older.” And then I thought about my own situation; no, I’m not being irresponsible with the money I make, because,… I hardly make any fucking money to begin with! And then the little dark clouds moved right square over my head and started pouring. You see, when I was just beginning on my path as a professional musician I knew the financial side would be rough but I also knew that following my dream was more important to me than money. And this holds true for me today as well, I don’t have any regrets, BUT now I see that while not having much $ is okay with me, the possibility of being financially dependent on others for the rest of my life is not. The thing is,… these kinda go hand in hand. No?

Well, that was cheerful! I may continue this train of thought next week, but for now I must go play a jam session! As usual, any and all comments are welcome.

Thanks for reading and have a great week everyone!

Yes, I know. Late again!

Danderfer’s had a loong week people! Two words,… jazz camp. That’s right, all week long I’ve been waking up at 7:30am, driving an hour across town, and teaching kids (age 12-17) how to swing. … Despite the fact that I, myself am not sure how to swing at 8:30 in the morning!

There were just enough kids for two 7-piece jazz combos and the format was well suited to my abilities as it was quick, focused, and goal oriented (a concert at the end of the week). I like to think I’m a pretty good teacher, perhaps “over-thinkers” are handy in this way because we really think through the processes of what it is we do. That said, I’m really only effective in certain situations.

Case in point; I’ve tried teaching kids private lessons over a longer period of time (6-12 months) and if they didn’t really want to be there (and most of them did not) then I found it damn hard to motivate them to practice. I’d play for them and find songs they wanted to play, or give them great recordings to check out, sometimes I’d offer incentives to practice (ie candy and/or stickers). As a last resort I even made one kid do push-ups as punishment for not practicing, which by the way, was fucking hilarious. (Hey! Don’t judge! The kid thought it was funny too.)

Alas, my methods failed with all but a few of my private students at which point I decided that I was not a good teacher. However, since that time I’ve realized that I am a good teacher, just not a good motivator. If a student comes to me wanting to learn, I can deliver. If they don’t care to learn, I’m useless. I know some professional musicians who are great with kids and know how to inspire them, and God bless those people, we need more of them.

Anyways, that’s a long way of saying that this year’s jazz camp had a lot of eager young musicians and was therefore a success!

On that note, I’m going to tap out of this SMNP. Thanks to the jazz camp students for an enjoyable week and to Mr. Holmberg for organizing the whole thing again this year!

Have a super week everyone!

Above painting: Francois Boucher (1703-1770), The Music Lesson

Readers, let’s get down to business right out of the gate and allow me to hype an upcoming show of mine in Vancouver. Here goes…

THE JAMES DANDERFER TRIO: A LIVE RECORDING @ The Cellar, August 6/7
featuring JAMES DANDERFER clarinet, MILES BLACK piano, JOE POOLE drums

For more info visit cellarjazz.com

I know what you’re thinking right now… “Holy SHIT! Fun, swinging, AND fresh!? That’s OFF THE HOOK DANDERFER!”

Yes. Yes it is off the hook. So call ahead to make a reservation (fingers crossed, it’ll be busy) and come on down and support us, only it won’t feel like you’re “supporting” us because you’ll be having so much fun. That’s right, these shows will have a “fun jazz music” theme to them. Crazy, right? Yeah, I know.

We will also be playing July 8-10 at a classy little venue in downtown Vancouver called O’Douls. We would of course love to see you at both the O’Douls and Cellar shows, HOWEVER, if your level of enthusiasm for The Danderfer Trio limits you to no more than one show every 2 months then PLEASE come down to the live recording in August because there’s nothing worse than recording the sound of defeat and empty chairs.

In other news, I will be educating young minds at a jazz camp next week at Sentinel High School in West Vancouver. So watch out Sentinel, the Hammer’s comin’ down,… jazz camp style!

OK, that’s all I got this week. Thanks for reading, happy Canada Day to all my friends North of the border and a happy Independence day to all my friends South of the line!

Well, it’s officially Summertime, the sun is out, flowers are in bloom, birds are singing and of course, Jazz Festivals abound!

That’s right! If you’re in Canada, there is probably a Jazz Festival happening in your city at this very moment so you too can come out of the jazz-fan closet and support this music or, given the genre-obscurring, musical inclusivity of “jazz” festivals, really any kind of music (Hey, it’s ALL jazz baby!!). Then, once your jazz enthusiasm has been spent in a week-long binge of jazz appreciation, you too can promptly return to the jazz-fan closet for another year.

So let’s get down to the question I’m sure you’re all wondering, “Where can I check out some hot tunes by the James Danderfer band?!”

Well I’m here to tell you,… YOU CAN’T!! Unfortunately my band (the funky and fun-loving New Orleans inspired B3 soul band), wasn’t accepted into the festival this year,… so sad. Like Superman returning to Krypton only to be turned away without explanation, the city that spawned my musical being has rejected me. … and if you just heard a faint crack in the distance, that,… was my heart breaking.

Okay,… not really.

I’m kind of surprised when people do expect me to be upset with things like this,… I’m not. It’s like applying for grants or scholarships or anything where there are lots of applicants, em,… you won’t always be accepted. Call me naive but I don’t see any need to take these things personally. All you can do is offer a musical project of high quality (which mine was), with an angle that might interest potential listeners (which mine had) and perhaps something a bit different than what you’ve offered in the past (which this was), and even then what you’re offering might simply not “fit the bill.”

So she goes. All you Vancouver “Danderfans” out there are just going to have to pick up the pieces and move on with your life,… one day at time.

However, there IS some good news, this ol’ clarinetist can’t be so easily left out of the party and has made his way in through the back door, so to speak, as a sideman! BOO-YEAH!! So I’m happy to tell you that I will be in this year’s festival with the lovely and talented Jillian Lebeck and her quintet. We’re recording at CBC Studio on June 30th from noon to 1 and it’s free! For more details, click here. I’m a big fan of Jillian’s mix of beautiful, haunting jazz and singer/songwriter tunes so please come on down to CBC and hear her for yourself.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, there happens to be lots of free music in the streets of Vancouver today and that’s the kind of ticket price I can handle. Last night I caught some of Nancy King (at The Cellar) and Buck 65 (at the Commodore) and really enjoyed both shows. So I have to give it up to all the festival organizers for putting this party together once again!

Have a great week everybody and a special SMNP shout-out to Jay “Funkhaus” Hassler for not letting me forget my clarinet in a bar. You’ve got my back Jay! May the force be with you.

As I write this SMNP I am sitting in the studio with Chris Gestrin (aka 24-7 MVP), working on the album. Yes, that studio, and yes,… that album. Work on the electroacoustic EP continues as we are nearly finished mixing all 6 tracks, at which point all we need to do is master it, et voila! James Danderfer becomes a Goddamn rock star!

So today I’m going to simply pass on a link that a friend passed on to me last week. (Thanks Slaps!) Check out this TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson in which he explains the need for a revolution in education to place greater value on creativity.

Sir Robinson’s manner of presenting ideas is insightful and hilarious (kinda like a certain SMNP right?,… right?) and after watching this talk I went to his website to see some more of his videos (like this one) which expand on the subject of inherent creativity.

So thanks to Sir Robinson for the video and have a great week everyone!

… yeah, I didn’t think so either but I got nothing interesting to write about this week sooo, here goes!

GORILLAZ: PLASTIC BEACH

I don’t know this band’s music all that well but a friend lent me ‘Plastic Beach’ to listen to with the accompanying remark that “There aren’t really any singles on here. It sounds like they’ve got enough money and they’re just doing what they want to now.” Indeed, it does sound like they were just having fun with some great guest artists. My two favourite tracks are Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach (featuring Snoop Dog and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble) and White Flag (featuring Bashy, Kano, and the National Orchestra for Arabic Music).

MILES DAVIS: LIVE AT THE BLACKHAWK (FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS)

These albums are always in rotation at the Danderfer residence, ever since I bought them (on Kevin Dean’s suggestion) back when I was about 14. Live albums, beautifully recorded, and the band is such a unit, so in tune with each other after years of touring. Featuring one of the all-time greatest rhythm sections: Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb, this album was recorded in Miles’ post-Coltrane but (obviously) pre-Herbie/Ron/Tony/Wayne band. I love pretty much everything Miles’ played but this time period really resonates with me because his playing has the freedom and boldness of his next phase (with Herbie) but still retains the classic swinging sounds of Miles playing standards. As Billy Hart told me Miles said to him: “You can play right on the beat, but it’s gotta swing like a motherfucker. You can play behind the beat, but it’s gotta swing like a motherfucker. Or you can play on top of the beat, but it’s gotta swing like a motherfucker!” God bless Miles Davis!

GLENN GOULD: THE FRENCH SUITES

I really enjoy the music of Bach, especially at the hands of the late great Glenn Gould. Listening to this music, it makes me think how silly it is that Classical music has a period called the “Romantic Period” and Bach isn’t in it. Beautiful recording.

Well, speaking of beautiful, it’s a beautiful Summer day in Vancouver now so I’m going outside. Have a great week everyone!

Readers, a few weeks ago I wielded my SMNP and struck a blow towards string/band program cuts in Vancouver. Well today I read this article (yes, the article did come out over a month ago,… I’m running a little behind OK!?) which reports that music program cuts may be abandoned.

That’s right. Thanks to ME,… and maybe this guy, … and perhaps these people it looks like the kids might be able to keep their band programs after all! YAAAYY!

So today I’d like to direct your attention to this fantastic article I was shown recently (thanks sj!). Written by Mark Slouka for Harper’s Magazine, it is entitled “Dehumanized: When Math and Science Rule the School”.

The importance of the arts in our society is something I always find difficult to put into words but Slouka does so in a very intelligent and entertaining way. So enjoy the article and let me know if you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Thanks for reading and have a terrific week everyone!

As some of my devoted readers may remember, I was commissioned earlier this year by CBC Radio to compose a suite of music in tribute to the late great Jelly Roll Morton. In particular, the music was intended to celebrate his time spent living and working in Vancouver back in 1919. The music was recorded live at the Patricia Hotel (where Jelly Roll worked) along with a host of other fantastic musicians.

And so, in lieu of a podcast I’m just making the music available for your listening pleasure, just click on the song titles below. Alongside each of the track titles are descriptions to give you a sense of what each song is about. This way, I don’t have to listen to myself speak any more than necessary and you get to bypass at least 10 minutes worth of pregnant pauses as JD attempts to explain the music,… it’s a win-win, believe me.

The band includes: Miles Black (piano), Joe Poole (drums), and Yours Truly (licorice stick)

Thanks again to CBC Radio, I was honoured to be considered for this commission. Enjoy the music everyone and have a great week!

THE JELLY ROLL SUITE

Part 1: As Luck Would Have It
The title of this piece refers to the story of Jelly Roll losing everything he had while gambling in Seattle and then fortunately receiving an extended engagement offer by the owner of the Patricia Hotel. The piece itself however, depicts the bustling and developing city of Vancouver that Jelly Roll would have witnessed in 1919.

Part 2: Jelly Rolls In
This piece refers to Jelly Roll’s practice of “setting up shop” and checking out the music scene whenever he moved to a new town. Always careful to make sure there weren’t any jazz pianists better than him and always securing his other sources of income as pool shark, gambler, etc…

Part 3: Never Again
“Never Again” incorporates the “Spanish tinge” (a mix of Latin and swing rhythms) which Jelly Roll made popular. The title refers to his long and fiery relationship with Anita Gonzalez. Although Jelly Roll later married another woman, late in his life he attested that Anita was the only woman he ever truly loved.

Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors
This piece alludes to Jelly Roll Morton’s early days working as house-pianist in the high-class brothels of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. “Smoke & Mirrors” tries to capture the seductive, dangerous and mysterious nature of that time and place.

Part 5: Swingin’ At The Patricia
A fast and exciting romp through the blues, the title says it all.