It’s another new year. Did you make any resolutions? As musicians we should constantly strive to become better players. In my opinion, this is the fruit that constantly propels one forward in their musical journey–you can always get better at what you do! The new year is a great time to take stock of your talent and make a game plan moving forward to increase your potential. Here’s a few thoughts on good ways to get started.
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Denver, CO – September 24, 2024 – Luxuryville’s resident mastermind, guitarist/producer Devon Kurzweil is releasing his long awaited solo album, Music For Trees, a foray into the world of jazz-rock fusion.
CD AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT SELECT RETAILERS NOVEMBER 22, 2024
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What a great show! This ticket was the epitome of a jazz musician’s show. Great band, great club, great vibe, great special guest and great music. I’ve been watching clips of shows at Smalls for years and finally had the chance to experience it live in the flesh. I was not disappointed in the least. And to be able to hear one of NYC’s great underground jazz guitarists? Absolutely fantastic.
The Aristocrats is a band that few people have likely heard and yet contains a couple of the best, most technical and adept musicians on the planet. It’s not just an off color joke anymore, the Aristocrats are the real deal. This jazz fusion trio is at the cutting edge of the intersection of rock, jazz, metal and avant-garde, perhaps with even a little comedy thrown in for good measure. I hadn’t ever seen the Aristocrats live before, but I have seen so many clips over the years on the interwebs that I jumped at the chance to see them when they recently came to town. I had never been to the Pour House in Raleigh either–I am happy to say I was not disappointed!
I’ve been wanting to see the Bad Plus for a while, however the dates just haven’t lined up. I finally got the opportunity last week. There’s a new venue in town, Missy Lane’s Assembly Room, that has been hosting some nice talent. I’m not a huge fan of the room, but sometimes you have to take what you can get. Bad Plus was doing two shows that evening and I opted for the early one—a rare event for me. However, being the early show, it was a much lighter crowd so we were able to sit in the second row and really take it all in. A nice change compared to the last time I was there.
Holy whammy bar Batman! This was a nice trip down memory lane…these guys bring me back a ways. And I’m talking a LONG way back. Decades, to the time when I first started playing guitar. Like most I’m sure, I got into the usual classic rock suspects—Hendrix, Page, Santana, etc.–jamming for hours to Led Zeppelin records and trying to cop Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” ad nauseum. Perhaps different from the 60’s & 70’s, speed metal was starting to make an appearance in the early 80’s, which brought a total different flavor to my cassette jams. Metallica, Testament and Anthrax certainly come to mind. However, all that changed for the better when I first heard Joe Satriani and Steve Vai—especially Vai. These two guitarists really widened my horizons for the better. Of course, they are much older now—as am I—but they can still shred it up! And shred they did…
While I continually try to see each and every one of my favorite players over the years, it just happens that some fall through the cracks. It’s inevitable. This was the case with Christian McBride. One of my favorite upright players (and bassists in general) had always managed to escape my attention when he came to town. In my defense, I only have so much time to go out to see live shows; however, Mr. McBride was definitely on my musician “bucket list” so I had to make an effort sooner or later. I’m now happy to report that his box has been checked!