Portland Jazz Jams - Day After

A fun way to spend a Tuesday night - jamming at the Mississippi Pizza Parlor in Portland, Oregon with some terrific players! Pictured are Dan Presley (Bass & terrifically tall on talent!), Rob Birdwell (Trumpet/Flugelhorn), and Duncan Branom (Drums - also teaches privately); Darren Littlejohn (host and founder of Portland Jazz Jams) played guitar, along with Vince Frates on keys (who made that old spinet sing!) - they were all generous enough to read some of my originals: El Camino, TV Buddha, and Buddy Collette. My parents (Bob and Christine) came down from Vancouver (very special!) - Jeff and Mary from Portland too -- cool! ("The Thing II" - a future song title?) It was great to play - and perhaps even better: to listen to many of the outstanding players who showed their stuff - big time! There were many players of note on this particular night, but, because I'm a Trumpet player I simply must announce a radar alert for Trumpet/Flugelhorn player Russell Scott who demonstrates exceptional talent and fluidity on both horns - he's a treat to hear! (DL mentioned that Russell also plays Sax very well too....Mercy!) And the various "Sax men" (no sax women on this night... Naturally I forgot all their names - except for "Shoehorn" who has a memorable handle and nice style of playing - so I'll refer to these folks with random-associative-trait-handles) - especially liked the a liked the arc of "musical engraver dude's" Alto solos - great energy, as well as the cool Tenor lines of "tenor guy who also played a bit of piano after the jam". All in all, such a variety of styles, voices - everyone has a story...and some nice ones were told. I'm definitely inspired. Thanks again to Darren Littlejohn for hosting the Portland Jazz Jams series of events.

Hungry? Want to hear some great Jazz and support upcoming and established Jazz artists? Check out the Tuesday feature at Mississippi Pizza Parlor or any of the many other jams sponsored by Portland Jazz Jams.

Now...enough shameless blogging. Time to get back to the "shed"!

Rob

Portland Jazz Jams - Featured Artist

I'll be the "Featured Artist" at the Portland Jazz Jams at Mississippi Pizza on Tuesday, April 18, starting at 8 PM. With Dan Presley (Bass), Duncan Branom (Drums) and who knows on Piano and/or Guitar, it will be an honor to play and I look forward to making some great music!

Portland Jazz Jams brings together many players who love making music - many thanks to Darren Littlejohn (director/founder/host of the program) for all he does.

Along with some yet-to-be-decided Jazz standards, maybe (if the players are willing) we'll sprinkle in some of my tunes:

Buddy Collette - Concert Lead (PDF)
Blackberry Blues - Concert Lead (PDF)
El Camino - Concert Lead (PDF)
TV Buddha - Concert Lead (PDF)

If I'm really lucky, Fred Berman (who works in Portland on Tuesdays) will drop on by and join me and grace everyone with his fine clarinet and/or Sax.

See you at the Jam!

Rob Birdwell

Thataway for Early Bird Jazz Band

Here's a demo of a chart composed especially for the Early Bird Jazz Band (Linus Pauling Middle School in Corvallis, OR). We don't have any trombones this year in the band (what's up with that?!), so I tried to make the most of the terrific rhythm, trumpet, and sax sections we do have!

Thataway - Score Demo (MP3)

There's ample room to open up for solos - my own Saturday morning offering on this demo is a bit restrained, but hopefully conveys a sense that a little might actually go a long way. (I'll make a CD mix without the solo for practicing too!)

For you Early Bird Jazz members: listen to the audio demo, then cue it up again and play along!

Have fun!

Rob

The Meaning of Music - Corvallis Art Center

On Saturday March 18 and Sunday March 19, I took part in a really neat performance - a melange of story and music performed on the Corvallis Art Center stage. The program on Saturday night went so well I video taped the Sunday performance, which also went quite well. Bach, Bartok, spoken word, poetry and free Jazz were the order for the day. John Bliss and I performed a free Jazz piece that segued into a All The Things You are - fun stuff!

"Free Association" and "All the Things You Are" performed by Rob Birdwell and John Bliss.

Although we didn't do a piece with all five of us together, to my "audio montage" of all five of us performing. Bach, Bartok, spoken word and Free Jazz all re-mixed together! Maybe someday we'll actually do something like this live!



Kathleen Dean Moore (Author), Rachelle McCabe (Piano), Anne Ridlington (Cello), John Bliss (Guitar), Rob Birdwell (Trumpet/Flugelhorn)

A listing of the works performed:

• Prelude from Suite #3 for Unaccompanied Cello, J.S. Bach
• Maria, Leonard Bernstein
• “The Augmented Fourth” - Kathleen Dean Moore
• Intermezzo from Opus 26, Robert Schumann
• Sarabande from Suite #3 for Unaccompanied Cello J.S. Bach
• "The Testimony of the Marsh, Kathleen Dean Moore
• Improvisations from Opus 20, Béla Bartok
• Gigue from Suite #3 for Unaccompanied Cello, J.S. Bach
• "In Endless Song" - Kathleen Dean Moore
• How Can I Keep From Singing? - Folk hymn
• Valse Sentimentale, Tchaikovsky
• Free Association / All the Things You Are- Jerome Kern/John Bliss/Rob Birdwell
• "To Music" - Ranier Maria Rilke

9 Year Old's Reaction to Receiving an Xbox

My son recently turned 9. For his birthday he received an Xbox (the "classic" model). We suspected he'd be happy and excited - it's a pretty cool device...but when his happiness spilled into tears of joy, well...that just begs for a movie! A take-off on the Visa commercials, it's about 16 seconds long - enjoy!

Frey's Xbox Movie 2006

Photo's by Christel Birdwell, Music by Rob Birdwell

Rob Birdwell's Jazz Performances

Well, 2006 is certainly turning out to be a Jazzy one - many great gigs and shows coming up. I'm constantly reminded at how special each opportunity to perform is ("...blow like there's no tomorrow!") I'm enjoying playing so much and especially love making music with so many great players. We're beginning to explore new territory and the discovery is always fun. I'm penning and hoping to sprinkle in more of my ORIGINALS of course. This schedule is fairly solid, especially for the next couple months, with more to come in May. Hope to see you out and about! (Rob Birdwell)

Tues., Feb. 28, 8:00 PM - Fat Tuesday
Bombs Away Cafe Corvallis, OR

Fri., March 3, 7:30 PM - Hill Top Big Band
Old World Deli Corvallis, OR

Sat., March 4, 4:00 PM - XTET
Sibling Revelry Corvallis, OR

Thu., March 9, 7:30 PM - XTET
Bombs Away Cafe Corvallis, OR

Sat., March 18, 7:00* PM - Birdwell/Bliss Duo
Benefit for Corvallis Art Center Corvallis, OR

Sun., March 19, 12:30* PM - Birdwell/Bliss Duo
Benefit for Corvallis Art Center Corvallis, OR

Sat., March. 25, 8:00 PM - XTET
Sahalie Wine Cellars Corvallis, OR

Thu., April 13, 7:30 PM - XTET
Bombs Away Cafe Corvallis, OR

Tues., April 18, 8:00 PM - Portland Jazz Jams
Mississippi Pizza Jazz Jam Portland, OR

Fri., April 21, 7:30 PM - XTET in Portland
World Forestry Center Portland, OR

Thu., May 11, 7:30 PM - XTET
Bombs Away Cafe Corvallis, OR

Thu., June 15, 7:30 PM - XTET (All Swedish Show!)
Bombs Away Cafe Corvallis, OR

Wed., August 9th, 7:00 PM - XTET
Portland Art Museum Portland, OR

One For The Road - Glenn Tilbrook DVD

I'm a big fan of Glenn Tilbrook's work, solo and with Squeeze. He really puts a great deal of craft into his songs and production - he's quite an amazing singer/songwriter and I always enjoy and appreciate his work.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to hear him (along with fellow Squeeze writing partner, Chris Difford) perform an "unplugged" set in a small music shop in Los Angeles - it was spectacular! What a performer - what a rapport with the audience. Naturally, I was very interested to read film maker/Director Amy Pickard's posts a couple years ago saying she'd filmed a portion of Glenn's RV tour of the U.S. After much hard work and quite a bit of help from many talented folks, the DVD is complete and available on Amazon.com!

This DVD is a must-have for Glenn/Squeeze affectionados. And believe it or not, I'm actually listed in the end credits on the DVD! Go figure! I made a very modest donation to help out with production costs (per Director Amy Pickard's request - hey, this is, after all, Glenn Tilbrook...his movie, story - well worth it!) - and because she's clearly amazingly organized and super generous herself, Amy listed my name (along with about 20 other "Financial Contributor" folks) in the credits at the end of the movie. Sweet!

Now if I (Rob Birdwell- musician and performer himself...hint, hint), can somehow get invited to play, for example, a bit of Flugelhorn on a new Glenn Tilbrook track - now that would be very cool! (There, I said it - but alas, I won't hold my breath for Glenn's RV to honk in front of my driveway!) But, hey, what would life be without a pipe dream or two? Well, here's one that's certainly no pipe-dream:

Glenn and Willie Nelson - yes, I do believe this collaboration will bear fruit. Somehow, some way, we're going to hear Glenn Tilbrook and Willie Nelson performing together. (Like Kate Bush sings: "just saying it can even make it happen...") - so I'm saying it here and now.

Early Bird Jazz and Jam 2005

Here's a really nice track - this is an improvised Jazz "jam" by the students of the Linus Pauling Early Bird Jazz Band for which I'm honored to direct. They're terrific kids and they get up a little early twice a week to take part in this ensemble. It's a great joy for me to work with these students and I look forward to each and every meeting.

On this particular Friday in December 2005 (just before the holiday break) I asked the kids (whose ages range from 12 to 14) to compose and perform something as a group and I would record it. (Some of the students have done this before - for others it was something new.) Other than provide a bit of guidance in the beginning while getting started, the kids came up with all of this on their own: riffs, melody, stylings, solos - they worked together. It was give and take (what isn't?) - it was a collaboration...all in a matter of a few minutes. Wow!

Play the track - Jam/Blues Tune the Early Bird Jazz Students Composed and Performed

(There were a couple better titles suggested - but at this hour I can't recall what they were!)

Not every member of the band was attendance on the day we record this jam, but it was a good showing and we'll definitely be doing similar stuff throughout the year - meanwhile, we're hunkering down on some of our more structured charts for our concert in January - possibly at CHS (Jan 25?)...who knows, maybe we'll program a jam tune in the mix!?

I hear some really wonderful things beginning to emerge here - so much creativity and promise ...and much, much more to come of course!

Enjoy,

Rob Birdwell

Rob Birdwell Jazz Solo Clips

The following are some audio clips of my Jazz solo work. It can be a challenge to play something "new" on the spot - especially with tunes that I've played time and time again -but that's part of the fun and craft of Jazz! Even though I'm playing with intent, I'm usually as surprised as anyone at what comes out. Much depends on my mood, the energy of the space we're playing, whether or not the audience is actively engaged, and how tuned in we (the band) are to each other. I'm not sure these particular solos represent anything significant for me (I suppose I've played better and certainly worse!), but they do at least represent some of my recent moments and honest attempts and expressing musical ideas through improvisation - enjoy!

Stella by Starlight

In A Mellow Tone

Blue Bossa

Alone Together

The musicians playing on these tracks are John Bliss on Guitar, The Viking on Drums, Mike Rhodes on Bass, J.G. on Piano, and me (Rob Birdwell) on Trumpet/Flugelhorn.

Bix Beiderbecke - BIX index

Bix Beiderbecke and the BIX index - A series of 19 recorded audio interviews with musicians, family, friends and associates that talk about his life and times. Fascinating and wonderful. Recorded in the early 70's. Rife with Jazz history. Streaming and downloadable audio - all free.

The Blowholes at Majestic

The Blowholes performed at the Majestic Theatre for the Starlight Gala on October 15th, 2005, which was a fundraiser for the theatre and their programs. The performance part of the evening went without a hitch and it was a true joy to perform for the wonderful audience in attendance. Everyone in the band volunteered to do this and worked their tail off to do what was needed to do to pull this thing off. Sam Kincaid's sound engineering really made the band sound great! Robert Crum's photos of the band made us look great!

Naturally, The Blowholes are looking forward to our next performance - let me know when it is because I don't have a clue! Hopefully soon though. I'm hunkering down this Winter to work on some new compositions for the group.

Rob

XTET at Sahalie Wine Cellars in Corvallis

This Saturday, October 22, the Xtet will be performing at the new Sahalie Wine Cellars, at the corner of First and Monroe Streets, in downtown Corvallis. This is a wonderful new venue for live music in Corvallis, with a warm atmosphere, a beautiful wine bar, and wonderful food. Come on down, sip a glass of Oregon's finest wines, and enjoy the eclectic musical tastes of the Xtet. We'll be featuring the pyrotechnical percussion of The Viking, the flamboyant fluegelhorn of Rob Birdwell (of "The Blowholes" fame), the gemeinschaftish guitar of John Bliss, as well as the beautifully basipetal bass of special guest Steve Willis. See you Saturday.......

XTET at Sahalie Wine Cellars

Thursday, October 22, 7:30 - 10:30 PM

ASCAP Award

I received a letter today from ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) informing me that I've been awarded a cash sum as part of their ASCAPLUS Awards program, which is an awards program that provides cash and recognition to 1): active writers in the early and mid stages of their careers, and 2): to established writers whose main activity is outside of broadcast media.

I'm very honored - thank you ASCAP and the ASCAPLUS Awards Panel!

Sincerely,

Rob Birdwell
ASCAP Member

Leaping the Dunes

I love this scene - the dunes on the Oregon Coast near Newport.

The Blowholes on SonicBids

Check out one of the The Blowholes' new PR site:

View The Blowholes's EPK

Big in Japan

This site/link in Japan is the source of over 12,000 downloads in only the last month for one of my songs, Beautiful Moments, which is interesting considering it was a tune I 1) have never formally promoted; 2) recorded the same night I wrote the song - a live piano/vocal rendition; 3) intended as a rough demo just to get a sense of the tune; and 4) named WIP.mp3 so that everyone knew it was just a work-in-progress! (I've since decided to adopt the WIP.mp3 file as a placeholder for my advertisement of the moment - for obvious reasons!)

Occasionally I see a pattern of interest for certain mp3 files downloaded from my site, but usually nothing dramatic. Until tonight.

Apparently, I'm big in Japan.

Once a year or so I look at my site's statistics provided by my host...it's usually the same deal over and over. Endless searches for trumpet fingering charts, lots of virtual trumpet links, surprisingly little action on my Real Trumpet offering (surprising to me because I feel Real Trumpet a more substantive and useful product), and of course only a smattering of evidence of interest in my songs, compositions and arrangements..except for the ones that have remotely provocotive names (e.g., Big Girl - yes, the "Live" version is number two on the most downloaded list for this site - gee, I wonder why? But Little Man - a song for my son - isn't even on the radar).

But apparently one of my cryptically named mp3 files (WIP.mp3) is being downloaded thousands and thousands of times - but why this one? Clearly, WIP means something interesting in Japanese. Wish I knew what. Bet I can guess. This I do know for sure: WIP is the title for my next Blowholes tune!

Obviously there's a perfectly reasonable explanation...I mean, no one is THAT interested in my work (ha! besides me)...are they? And it doesn't matter because writing music brings me great joy and satisfaction. Naturally there's a business side to this art and it's nice when there's interest in one's work. But why such interest in a rough demo of a song...intended for a very few to hear...a recorded version of a song I never got around to removing or renaming?!

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I know the truth, which is this: no one is actually listening to my song. The site is just a feeding ground for piranha-like appetites for free MP3s and WIP.mp3 just happens to correlate to something provacative in the English to Japanese translation. Dang! So okay, maybe I'm not so big in Japan after all - just digital fish food for the masses...oh well.

The song is real though...

I loved the tune when I wrote it and am still do; I like the shape, mood and lyrical intent - harmonically there are some interesting things happening too. Its harmonic underpinnings are rooted in Jazz but there's clearly a "pop" thing going on as well. It is understated with bits of sophistication and that's a nice space. The lyric is a poem to the past; to friends far and away now...to dreams...fantasy reflections, and if I'm honest, it's a song to the me of another when. I never got around to producing this song they way I still hear it... I wrote a little arrangement for a small group and we tried to perform it one night in the lobby of the Majestic Theatre in Corvallis for a benefit. Turns out I forgot to transpose the Alto Sax part when I printed the part (that was a "moment"), but I do recall performing it somehow. And at least one singer in the local area asked me for a lead sheet and permission to perform it, which of course I happily gave.

In the song's chorus there's a reference to Google (which, in addition to being a gianormous number, is a registered trademark). Wanting to be legit, I emailed their legal team asking for official permission to use the Google name in my song...I'm not certain I ever got a response, but at least I tried - so the lyric stands until they decide to sue me...sue me...what can ya do me? I won't hold my breath!

Finally and for the record (and especially for all my dear friends and fans in Japan, whoever you are) here's the lyric to Beautiful Moments, my penultimate work-in-progress or whatever WIP means in Japanese:

Beautiful Moments Words and music by Rob Birdwell

When the moon is out tonight
I will pause at the sight
And reflect on the times
We shared long ago

When the night lark is singing
I will sing right along
And try to recall
That old melody we wrote

I can Google your name
But I won't find a trace
Of those beautiful moments
From another time and place

I can hold my breath
Till I'm blue in the face
Still those beautiful moments
Are elusive as grace

When the sun is on the rise
I will rise up and shine
Slip inside my space suit
And fly far, far away

To Venus or to Mars
Either one will do
See the Earth from the other side
The other side of you

I can Google your name
But I won't find a trace
Of those beautiful moments
From another time and place

I can hold my breath
Till I'm blue in the face
Still those beautiful moments
Are elusive as grace

Thought I saw you in a passing car
Headed west on Hollywood Boulevard
What ever happened to old you-know-who?
Yea times are pretty strange now,
Whatcha gunna do?

When the moon is out tonight
I will pause at the sight
And reflect on the times
We shared long ago

When the night lark is singing
I will sing right along
And try to recall
That old melody we wrote

I can Google your name
But I won't find a trace
Of those beautiful moments
From another time and place

I can hold my breath
Till I'm blue in the face
Still those beautiful moments
Are elusive as grace

I can search for your name
But I won't find a trace
Of those beautiful moments
From another time and place

I can hold my breath
Till I'm blue in the face
Still those beautiful moments
Are elusive as grace

(c) Copyright 2008 Rob Birdwell / BirdwellMusic.com
All rights reserved...even in Japan.

Artist Share

Wow! Artist Share is really something special - check it out!

Ever want to study the score(s) of active (working) composers, arrangers...people who are writing and working with some of the best musicians in the world? Well, I sure do! And now anyone can. I should mention that there's usually a fee involved - but the fees scale; in other words, there's usually something for everyone and the fees (per artist) are reasonable and well worth it in my opinion.

I've been particularly inspired by Maria Schneider's site and her artistshare offerings - her lectures share insights into her various approaches to composing and arranging, which range from a sometimes whimsical approach (free flowing, uninhibited, dreamy) to her ability to articulate the nuts and bolts behind the inspiration, and analyze and evolve those musical nuggets into musical creations that are simply top drawer!

New Orleans and Other Areas Hit by Katrina

Thanks to everyone who donated to the humanitarian relief effort at Bombs Away (Corvallis, Oregon) last night (Thursday, September 1). The XTET performed and John Bliss took the lead for the collection effort and did a terrific job! When we completed our evening of Jazz the total donations were $257 in cash and checks. And the donations didn't stop there as John reported even more the next morning. Every penny donated will go to the American Red Cross to assist in efforts to help the people who need it for the hurricane relief effort.

The XTET performed many tunes that we ordinarily perform (Jazz standards and some originals) but under the circumstances we wanted to pay tribute somehow, some way...so as it turns out, many tunes took on our own somewhat limited take on a "New Orleans" flavored sound. We opened with a blues - that much I do recall. Did some Ellington. There were Cajun rhythms throughout tunes that don't normally have them. I cried (or tried to) with my plunger and did my best Sachmo imitation with a straight mute. We even played "When The Saints Go Marching In" which was preceded by freely improvised and mournful intro - if nothing else, the offering was sincere and we tried to do what we could in one of the ways we love - making music. Only a smattering of folks heard us - but what folks they are!

At one point I was asked (casually) to say something about New Orleans...well, I honestly didn't know where to begin or what to say. What could I have said? I've never visited the city, but always wanted to. Only in books, articles, movies and music do I know of that land. But what a fascinating place - and what an amazing history, not just for Jazz and music, but for all of humanity. Maybe I could have shared a silly adolescent dream...

I've always dreamed of visiting New Orleans, to be able to leisurely see the sights, meet the people, learn the history from the residents themselves, enjoy the food...and maybe best of all, take in some of the wonderful music...my dream goes so far as to imagine myself joining in on some jam sessions, and actually holding my own....only to have Wynton himself join in - he'd slap me on the back and say, "not bad, not bad..." - then he'd slyly whisper something like "but you best keep on workin' in that shed - still a ways to go yet!" - but we'd laugh and get on great. He'd blow everyone away and it would be a blast. So many stories and experiences would be shared - so many new friends...my silly little New Orleans dream.

[And here I choose to edit out some of my various "reality" ramblings - there was something about day-late presidential photo-ops...a need for basics and simply doing the right thing at the right time...but I'm not sure I can articulate anything that is close to coherent at this hour - perhaps another time - the Major of New Orleans (C. Ray Nagin) seemed to sum it all up very well.]

When I heard Wynton Marsalis was performing (along with many other fine artists) on a tribute (NBC) I tuned in. I had my trumpet in hand but it didn't touch my lips since I was pretty much in awe of the power of what was being said - and what I know Wynton was saying to the world. Could anyone else hear what he was saying? I heard it tonight. It was unmistakable.

Also performing: Harry Connick Jr. (what a performer! must buy more of his stuff!) Aaron Neville (very moving!), Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and other backing musicians - well done!

More Photos of The Blowholes at da Vinci Days

Special thanks MM for the photos!!

Blowholes at da Vinci Wrap

The Blowholes on the Shady Stage - da Vinci Days 2005! Click to see the QuickTime Movie excerpt!

John Bliss - Guitar
Andy Nelson - Tenor
Jim Guynn - Alto
The Viking - Drums
Rob Birdwell - Trumpet
Cheryl Leckie - Tuba/Bass
Mike Bevington - Trombone

It was fun to play at da Vinci Days. I especially enjoyed hearing all the other musical acts too!

Thanks to all our family and friends for being there - that means so much!

The brief QuickTime movie clip is not exactly the most flattering sound or picture quality, but at least you get to see how we all groove and move! Ha!

Preparing for da Vinci Days - Blowhole Style

Preparing...what have I forgotten? Must remember clothes pins for the stands - it will probably rain too, but I can't control the weather...or can I? Got the t-shirts, festival passes...need to get some more parking passes for everyone in the band or figure out how the loading/unloading stuff will work...borrowed a 50" x 11" piece of wood from my neighbor - it's light and somewhat sturdy - it will serve nicely as my music stand extender. (The charts are long and page turns were ill-conceived!) Going to paint it some funky shade of blue from an old can of paint I found in the basement - will duct tape it first (wouldn't want it to look unprofessional!)...it's slightly ridiculous to need such a wide stand...oh well!

I started writing lots of little musical bon-bons when I was in Sweden last summer with my family. (I was inspired to try to put together a little on-again, off-again ensemble after hearing a concert in the park by the Benny Andersson Orchestra - what a great songwriter and composer!!) Anyway, I scribbled and scratched and clawed my way through the writing process which I so much love. A little ditty by the lake in Sweden turned into "Swedish Beach Party." Further explorations in the Autumn lead me to draw from a funny confession from my mom (a true beauty) a couple years ago which inspired "Grandma Was A Go-Go Dancer." Our sweet little puppy dog (who has chewed up several cables and at least one important mute of mine!!!) inspired "That Is Not A Chew Toy" - and there are others too, all with their own story, sometimes personal, sometimes random, with many more on deck in sketch form or simply in my head - other day. Saturday we'll perform the first nine. Come listen!

Here's our set list for da Vinci Days 2005!

Rob

Peace Is Patriotic

Peace Is Patriotic words and music by Rob Birdwell

Just a little song to sing
On the fourth of July
A simple tune with simple words
So give it a try

You can play it slow
Or play it fast
But either way the sentiment
Is bound to last

'‘Cause everybody knows
Peace is patriotic
Everybody knows
Love is all we need

(Jam, Sing, dance, repeat as needed...)

Copyright (c) 2005 Rob Birdwell, BirdwellMusic.com

Download the sheet music to "Peace Is Patriotic" as a PDF.

I encourage anyone who wants to perform this song for private/non-profit events to please feel free to do so - I only ask that you contact me when and where you performed it. Additionally, I'd love to hear a recording of your live performance (nothing fancy!) so record it if you can and send me a link! This is a simple sing-along song for everyone to sing and perform, regardless of musical ability. Simple percussion, gazoos, a guitar or two, voices...even a Flugelhorn, etc. will all work fine. Thanks. Rob Birdwell

For commercial use and/or commercial licensing of this song and/or the lyrics, please contact me.

Blowhole Badge of Honor

"The Blowholes" is a Corvallis, Oregon based band (instrumentation: trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, trombone, bass/tuba, guitar & drums). There are currently about 20 folks around town wearing these buttons. These are the pioneers - an elite and brave group! (Well, okay...they were actually given a FREE "I'm a Blowhole" button!)

But now you too can get your very own "I'm a Blowhole" button!! By wearing this button, you're saying something profound...you're making an important statement...and, well, if nothing else, you're at least creating an opportunity for some very interesting conversions...all that for only $1.35 (plus shipping)!! Wow! Order yours today!

What's In A Name - The Blowholes

Here's a little background for those of you interested in how and why I came up with the name "The Blowholes" for my all original Jazz septet:

It's all about the music...

First of all, when you play Jazz, especially in a free-form combo setting with multiple horns (jamming and/or simple lead sheet tunes) you're often arranging on the spot. As one soloist works through their choruses the other horn players listen...and sometimes background riffs are suggested (through whispers or other body language with the other players) to add interest and give the soloist and rhythm section yet another element to work with or against.

These lines might take the form of a simple "1 2 do-dot-do, 2, 3, 4 | 1, 2.do dot do..." or "do--, do-bop...2, 3 4" etc. Simple one or two note ditties that can be easily harmonized on the spot. These lines are spontaneous, stylistic, and simple and they can sound great and add interest and excitement at any given moment. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't - that's part of the challenge of being spontaneous.

Several times over the past couple years I've suggested more simple, sustained lines instead of punchy lines that attract too much attention. Free pads. "Goose eggs" or whole notes. So it's not uncommon for me to suggest, "let's blow whole notes" (under the soloist) - this is almost always effective because some interesting harmonies can be developed at random - all by blowing whole notes....blowing wholes....blow wholes...blowholes.

So the more I considered and researched the word "blowhole" for a band name (or "The Blowholes") the more I became convinced that it was a natural fit for a horn-based ensemble:

• 5 of the 7 players are quite literally blowing (Trumpet, 2 Saxes, Trombone, and sometimes Tuba)
• The horns all have bells - or holes - that's where the sound streams forth!
• Even the guitar and bass have holes - they're called f-holes (really!)

I recently came across a beautiful sign from somewhere in Hawaii(I saw it on the web) advertising "The Blowhole Cafe" which featured an animated blue whale - it looked like a very respectable place. The sign was very annimated with a nice variety of blue color tones. If we ever have a logo, some type of "musical whale" might be cool. Whales are amazing creatures - whales have blowholes.

Blowholes are also found on coasts, the result of the sea's relentless pounding away at the rocky shore which creates, over time, tubular openings in the rocks where sea water enters at a high velocity causing periodic steam-like eruptions. These ocean/rock blowholes are dramatic and awe inspiring - they're fun to watch too. Unpredictable, powerful - no two blows are ever they same...much like the making of music.

Blowholes, be they the blowholes of whales, the blowholes of ocean/rock formations, or my musical term of "blowing wholes" to affect a mood - these are things of beauty and the foundation of my belief in what "The Blowholes" represent: musical, natural, slightly irreverent, at times majestic, at times humorous...definitely an endangered species...and hopefully something special.

So go ahead, infer some sort of crude or negative connotation from a name; go ahead and make the juvenile jokes - we've probably heard them (and have our own)...or better yet, don't.

Instead, recognize that we're musicians attempting to breathe life into abstract ideas. We're trying to produce our own waves of sound that flow from one place to another. And who knows where these "waves" go - to the heart maybe? The mind? The soul?

The true spirit of "The Blowholes" can be found within the music and especially the performers who are doing their best to create something out of thin air.

I'm a blowhole and proud of what the name means for me. After all, a rose by any other name...

Blowholes to Play Da Vinci Days 2005

Come see and hear "The Blowholes" perform at da Vinci Days, Saturday, July 16 at 5-6 PM on the Shady Stage.

The Blowholes are a 7-piece ensemble that play all original music and features Rob Birdwell (Trumpet, Flugelhorn), Jim Guynn (Alto, Flute), Andy Nelson (Tenor Sax, Clarinet), Mike Bevington (Trombone), John Bliss (Guitar), Jeff "The Viking" Morre (Drums), and Cheryl Leckie (Bass, Tuba).

Our music is a blend of many styles and the arrangements of original material strive to strike a blance between tight ensemble writing and free solo sections (everyone is featured somehow, someway) - you'll hear lots of Jazz/swing with touches of latin, rock, funk and even some 60s style go-go! da Vinci Days is a wonderful festival and we're looking forward to performing.

You can catch "The Blowholes" in action on Thursday May 26 at Bombs Away Cafe (Corvallis- we'll be the XTET from 7:30 PM and then morph into "The Blowholes" around 8:30 PM or so. (This will actually be our first public appearance!)

Formed in early February 2005 we've been in the woodshedding a bit and now it's time to share the sounds and work out the logistics of playing live! Should be fun!

Rob Birdwell

Free Satellite TV!

NPR : Dave Holland, Working Some Big-Band 'Overtime'

NPR : Dave Holland, Working Some Big-Band 'Overtime'

I had the pleasure of listening to the Dave Holland Big Band perform. Wow! What an experience! This will definitely reverberate in my own arrangements...I loved hearing the fabulous execution of some really challenging but highly accessible (whatever that means) music. Was moved by the settings Dave creates for his players to express. Background lines and supporting elements added so much - a great deal of craft on all levels. So much invention...and those meters...funny thing was I didn't think about meter much at all while listening (just had a vague sense that what I was hearing was really being played well) - was mostly mesmorized by the harmonic lines and flow...and of course the terrific soloists.

At this particular gig (Eugene, Oregon...April 10, 2005 at The Shedd) Dave and band took the stage - he mentioned that it had been a rough day of travel (having to plead his case to bring his bass on the plane) but that seeing everyone in the audience made it all worth it. He also mentioned before that by the end of the evening we'd know each of the players much - and boy was that spot on! After the end of the night, each and every player had had a memorable moment (or two or three...) to shine in some extended context. I'd love to honor all the players with some affectionate note or two, but a line or two on a select few will have to suffice for now:

Robin Eubanks - for his solo work and composition Mental Images. What a treat.

Duane Eubanks - a fantastic solo on Mental Images! Really loved the pacing of his playing. Shows a great deal of thought even in a fast past spontaneous moment.

"Sasha" - (more on this once I get my liner notes) - beautiful solo work. He can do it all and then some!



Chris Potter - I really enjoy his work with Dave Douglas too...Chris' ability to take a solo to a "place" (don't know how else to describe it) is amazing to witness.

Random Jazz Musings

...and so the two Jazz men exited the trailer park, horns and cheat sheets hastily packed away, and drove west, into the sunset, leaving behind what would eventually come to be known as their definitive musical legacy.

A Cowboy Called Lightning - Composer Plug

A Cowboy Called Lightning - If you're a small theatre company looking for a fun & original musical play, consider "Cowboy" - I was presented with Dorinda Clifton's script in 2002 and got lazy. Then I got busy on it...then I got lazy again. But at some point I'd realized it was done - I'd finished the 39 or so short musical cues I set out to write. It was originally a play...the musical version retains the spirit of her play with the addition and integration of several musical numbers. It's truly a musical play.

After composing was completed (sometime in 2004) I put together a very quick demo (with me doing all of the voices; not ideal but it was usually late at night or very early in the morning when I did it - had to get it done!) - but ya know, it works. I could plead for you to "suspend belief" and hear beyond the raw composer demo, but I won't! (But please, please do!)

Anyway, if you are looking to do a show and don't have a lot of dough (ha! or especially if you do)...then (punch line please...) this is the show for you. Suitable for a diverse cast of beginners or pros, "A Cowboy Called Lightning" will be an entertaining show for all audiences.

Contact me for more information on obtaining a script and a complete CD of the musical numbers.

Production materials currently include:

* Complete Script/Lyrics
* Complete Vocal/Chorus score with Piano, Bass, Drum/Percussion parts.

Additional ensemble parts (Clarinet, Flute, Violin, Cello, French Horn) can be added provided performance dates are set at least 4 months in advance.

All materials herein (c) Rob Birdwell (Music) and Dorinda Clifton (Story, Script, Lyrics)

The Blowholes - our first sounds

The Blowholes audio teaser: Frumpy (MP3 excerpt) - here's a brief sampling of our "Blowhole" sound, recorded live on April 11, 2005. Made up of talented musicians from the Corvallis, Albany, and Philomath, Oregon areas) and formed in early 2005, The Blowholes are (I think) something special. Most of us have and continue to gig together under various band names, yet the formation of The Blowholes gives us a unique outlet for original material (no fake book or head charts on our stands, thank 'e kindly) and showcases a great rhythm section as well as a "front down" horn section (rather than being relegated to relentless "backup" duties all the time).

The compositions and arrangements I've written are specifically for "The Blowholes" - these vehicles allow for a good deal of ensemble invention as well as ample opportunities for improvisation and stretching out. Naturally, I look forward to writing tunes that bring out the best in each of the players. All in good time.

We certainly look forward to performing for you in the near future.

The Blowholes are:

Rob Birdwell – Trumpet, Flugelhorn (Music Director)
Jim Guynn – Alto Sax
Andy Nelson – Tenor Sax
Mike Bevington – Trombone
Cheryl Leckie – Bass, Tuba
John Bliss – Guitar
Jeff "The Viking" Morre – Drums

For booking and/or additional information, contact:

Rob Birdwell
www.birdwellmusic.com

OSU Arranging Course Home Page

This is the initial home page for the course. I will be adding materials and notes as we progress.

Composer Tools

Composer Tools - hey, what more could a composer need? Seriously, these mini "Flash" components (a 61 key Rhoads, a metronome that, well, sort of works, and a music duration calculator) might come in handy.

I'll expand on the Rhoads functionality for sure - would like to add in a simple way to play back a chord progression. But hey, it is what is is for now!

Enjoy!

Rob Birdwell

ASCII Generator

ASCII Generator

 _ _                  ___            _ 

| | | ___  _ _  _ _  |  _> ___  ___ | |

| ' |/ ._>| '_>| | | | <__/ . \/ . \| |

|__/ \___.|_|  `_. | `___/\___/\___/|_|

               <___'                   

sequencer - zefrank.com

sequencer - zefrank.com - a cool flash sequencer. A simple but elegant little compositional device. Not it won't replace SONAR, but if you're in the mood for a fun little scratch pad to lay down a groove, try this out.

VSTi Sampling Made Easy with the SFZ format and engine

rgc:audio software :: The sfz format - this is something I've been reading up on and have spent some time dabbling with. The concept is very simple and it really seems to work well. Here's how I'm using it in my "lab":

* Author your various .WAV audio samples (Trumpet, Flugelhorn, weird sounds, etc.) - anything you want!
* Create a simple "sfz" file using your editor to specify the note, key assignments, and lots of other parameter data.
* The sfz format has LOTS of stuff in it, but it can be simple too.
* Download the free sfz player
* Access your or other sfz audio samples via MIDI using any VSTi enabled software tool (SONAR, Cuebase, et al.)
* Enjoy!

On the commercial front, BirdwellMusic.com (me) is looking into ways of providing our customers, students, producers, composers, arrangers, et.al., with empowering tools. Many have been asking for a way to combine the best of Real Trumpet with Virtual Trumpet. Guess what folks - this is it! Obviously, Real Trumpet and Virtual Trumpet are their own things and can't be "replaced" of course! But an easy-to-use audio sample format that enables flexible MIDI access - we'll, that's very cool. And the audio quality and flexibility of the sfx format is extremely powerful.

There are still some nagging questions about sample intellectual property (namely, how do content authors distribute their audio sample libraries to customers while still being able to reasonably protect their intellectual property from being duplicated, replicated, stollen, etc.) - and maybe that's not the point or even an issue for some, but it's certainly a consideration many, including myself, are probably mulling over.

Anyway, I did some preliminary tests with my own Flugelhorn sfz enabled/empowered audio library and used it as a VSTi from within SONAR and the results were fabulous! It will take some work to get it ready for primetime (like I've already done with Real Trumpet), but I've heard the future - and it sounds great!

NPR : Computer Music Program Matches Human's Riffs

NPR : Computer Music Program Matches Human's Riffs - fascinating audio interview about research and a brief history of integrating computers into the compositional and/or performance process.

This is, of course, not exactly news to those who regularly compose and dabble in technology (and what musician today doesn't?). Still, it's still comforting to know that some of the funky far out dreams we have (interactively jamming and collaborating with other musicians, tools that intuitively help us realize our musical musings) are shared by lots and lots of other folks doing research and implementing wild and crazy stuff...neat!

On Our Way

This composition was written especially for the Early Bird Jazz Band students at Linus Pauling Middle School - these guys get up extra early just for the fun of making music. They are truly on their way! They sound great too!

Here's an MP3 recording of On Our Way (by Rob Birdwell) ~5 minutes long. I did a quick overdub of the Trumpet parts but the rest is all MIDI stuff...so it sounds, er...well, sort of how it should sound...but everyone knows you REAL players will sound MUCH better! With a bit of luck and hard work we'll be ready to perform this as a combined group with the Corvallis High School Jazz Band(s) at our concert, Wednesday, January 26 2005 at 7 PM, at CHS.

Note to players: Get to know the form of the chart (where sections repeat, where to break, where the D.S. goes back to, where the coda is, etc.). There's a LOT of harmony and accidentals in this arrangement! (Welcome to the world of Jazz!) Trust the part - most of the notes are actually right! Practice those challenging parts slowly - you might not be able to play with the recording right away, but DO listen to the recording and do work through it so you can play along. Once you've worked through your part of few times and begin to feel confident, crank up that stereo and play along. Remember, every practice session should be like a performance.

Have fun!

Attention Middle School and High School Jazz Ensemble/Band directors: the full score and parts to On Our Way are available from BirdwellMusic.com - contact me for the details.

On Our Way - MP3 rendition of the Full Score ~5 minutes
On Our Way - PDF Director Score

Difficulty: 2.5 - 3

Instrumentation:

• Saxs (Alto 1, Alto 2, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone Sax)
• Trumpets 1, 2, & 3
• Trombones 1 & 2
• Bass
• Drums
• Percussion 1 & 2
• Guitar 1 (Jazz)
• Guitar 2 (Overdrive)
• Piano
• Organ
• Synth

SNL - I Need More Cowbell

One of the great musical skits of our time - can we ever get enough cowbell?

Frumpy

If you play in a Jazz/Funk combo, consider adding my new tune, Frumpy, to your set list. This playful pentatonic number is fun to play and fun to solo over.

Frumpy - B Flat Part.pdf
Frumpy - Concert Part.pdf

And if you play it, say it! ("Hey, folks - we're gunna do a new one by Rob Birdwell...hope you like it...it's called 'Frumpy'..here we go....one, two, three, f...") Just let me know and I'll feature you and/or your group on my blog space - just send me links to your site, tell me a bit about how it all went, provide a link to the audio mp3 file to you or your group's performance of Frumpy and I'll post a short feature piece about it on BirdwellMusic.com.

And if you decide to record to Frumpy on your next CD, well...cool! Of course you have my permission. I only ask that you send me notice of your intent to do so (Example: "Hey Rob, we want to include your tune 'Frumpy' on our next CD - is that cool with you?" Rob's reply: "You bet!") in the very unlikely chance that there are any author royalties that need to come my way. (Yea I know I'm dreaming...this is Jazz after all!).

Anyway, like any writer/performer, it's great when the music is alive and people breath life into it - so put Frumpy on your set list and have some fun with it!

Rob Birdwell

Music Contracting Services

Want live music for your corporate event, company party or social gathering? Contact Rob Birdwell for a FREE consultation. Professional ensembles made up of some most talented performers in the region will brighten any occasion. All styles of music: Jazz, Rock, Country, Pop, Soul, Classical and more! Serving most of western Oregon, including Corvallis, Albany, Eugene, Salem, Portland, and surrounding areas.

Jeff Helgesen's Home Page

Jeff Helgesen's Home Page - one of the best and most interesting trumpet related sites, particularly for Jazz players, that I've seen. Solo transcriptions , articles and various links to the masters, teachers, insights...there's just a LOT of great material - check it out!

Rob Birdwell

Yamaha's Digital EZ Trumpet

Cheesy, goofy, flying-in-the-face-offensive to "real" musicians....man, where can I get one of these bad boys?!!!

Rob Birdwell

As Dreamers Do

Here's a lead sheet to a new tune: "As Dreamers Do" - the links are Adobe PDF files:

As Dreamers Do (B-Flat Lead Sheet)
As Dreamers Do (Concert Lead Sheet)

I wrote "As Dreamers Do" in the typical "jazz standard" form (yea, whatever that is!) - it's lyrical, harmonically diverse, and the melody is intended to be freely adapted by the player.

Benny Golson, in particular, was a source of inspiration for this tune, not only as a player but for his approach to ballad writing. "I Remember Clifford" was and will forever be one of the standards every trumpet/flugelhorn player knows and loves.

Meanwhile, I'll keep writing 'em and hopefully my friends and associates will play 'em. I'm playing 'em too.

Enjoy,

Rob Birdwell

Oregon State Daily Barometer Online - Majestic Theater hosts a 'magic barrel' to fight hunger

Oregon State Daily Barometer Online - Majestic Theater hosts a 'magic barrel' to fight hunger - this was a lot of fun. John Bliss (Guitar), Jeff "The Viking" Morre (Drums/Percussion) and myself Rob Birdwell (Trumpet/Flugelhorn) accompanied three of the readers and it went very well. The food afterwards from Intaba's was excellent too!

I thought all the readers' material was outstanding...the event raised over $1300 to help fight hunger right in Linn and Benton counties.

Real Trumpet Audio Loop Library

BirdwellMusic.com Newsletter - November 2004

Featured Product - Real Trumpet (Volume 1) - Audio Loop Library

Featured Track - All Things Beautiful (MP3 Audio) by Rob Birdwell

Musical Blogs of Note:

• Ashlee Simpson - Lip Synching Fiasco
• Cakewalk Latency Issues - Resolved (for me at least)
• BirdwellMusic.com Virtual Studio - Initial Concept

Virtual Trumpet - This popular trumpet simulation software for Windows 9x, 2000, ME and XP will have you sounding like a pro from the very first note - learn more about this unique software. Click here to download a trial version of Virtual Trumpet today.

Gigs and Live Performances

Happy music making!

Rob Birdwell

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Real Trumpet Volume 1 - Audio loop library of Trumpet and Flugelhorn, ACIDized audio clips. - Real Trumpet, Trumpet, Flugel, Horn, Audio, Loop, Clip,

Real Trumpet Volume 1 - Award Winning Audio loop library of Trumpet and Flugelhorn, ACIDized audio clips.

With over 500 quality loops to choose from, the Real Trumpet audio loop library is a great addition to your production toolkit!

Vote Today!

I sincerely hope if you're an eligible U.S. citizen that you've exercised your right to vote in the election today! I cast my vote for John Kerry and hope more Americans will do the same. Regardess...

Ashlee Simpson - video of lip synching on SNL

The media excerpt link is apparently courtesy of Brett Meisner from this discussion. Here's another possible link.

Dang! The one Saturday night I didn't record SNL and this classic moment happens! I've commented about the so-called "live" stuff on this blog before. Sure, stuff happens; things get mucked up on stage. But ya gotta go with it, right? But to walk out on the band? That was probably not a good thing.

Ashlee Simpson's band deserves lots of credit (rather than the blame she publicly lumped on them) for hammering it out and hanging in there...when performing live there's no such thing as "the wrong song" - once that train is in motion, that's the one going down the tracks.

Given that things can and will go wrong on stage, it pays to be able to "wing it" just a little bit. A pathetic little "hoe-down" dance for 15 seconds and then escaping from the stage is far from sufficient.

The reality is that a great opportunity was lost because of lack of preparation on Ahslee's part. And I'm not talking about the preparation for a "computer glitch" but rather the preparation of just being well-rounded entertainer - the preparation of being able to take the blame instead of passing it to "the band"- the preparation of being able to be in the moment, keep a cool head, and get through the tune, however poorly it comes off.

It's interesting when a singer/musician forgets a lyric, comes in wrong or just botches it big time - hey that happens; everyone is human. But the stuff that separates the hacks from the pros is what they're able to do next.

If you put entertainers from another era in the same situation, I wonder what Judy Garland would have done? How about Tony Orlando? Bobby Darrin? My guess is these seasoned entertainers (whom I'm sure experienced their share of "situations") would probably have turned the event to their advantage and at least gotten a laugh out of it.

And if this fiasco happened to a Jazz musician? Forget it! If a Jazz musician falls on stage and there's no one there to hear them, then that's called a typical night at the club! (I just made that up - and that's winging it!)

The SNL audience (both TV and in-house) was prepared to listen to some mediocre corporate manufactured pop music, but instead were subjected to Ashlee Simpson's great escape. And when reviewed that way, maybe Ashlee did us all a favor!

Cakewalk's SONAR: Gradual Audio Lag - MIDI to Audio Conversion

Here's a reprint of a post I made this morning to Cakewalk's site - I'd been having some issues with audio latency in converting MIDI to audio. Maybe this will save others the two hours of experimentation, trial, error and ultimately success, that I went through to find this:

Thanks to everyone for the posts on gradual audio lag...this particular solution worked for me:

I'm currently using SONAR 3.1.1 (might apply to SONAR 4 or later too?) and was having audio latency issues when converting my MIDI tracks from external modules to audio tracks. After trying many other things, the solution that conclusively worked for me was to set this as follows in the Cakewalk AUD.INI file:

KsUseInputEvent=1

I don't know why it works, but it works. Probably something to do with my system's USB audio latency and/or SONAR's ability to adjust or force the syncronization via this configuration setting.

It was getting very frustrating to have my basic MIDI tracks play back in perfect sync with my audio tracks, only to hear after the MIDI tracks were recorded to audo from the external keyboards that there was a definite lag behind the original MIDI track...not right away (a gradual audio lag) - usually becoming painfully obvious around 2 to three minutes into the tune - the latency (lag time) was undeniable and the MIDI to audio mixes could not be used. (I'd even resorted to dumping quick demo mixes directly to my iRiver MP3 recorder without even trying to get audio mixes of the MIDI - but that solution is not unacceptable for mixes that need to be more polished).

Without this KsUseInputEvent option, there were only a couple other options that I could come up with, none of which were particularly appealing:

1. Record the MIDI tracks to audio in smaller sections (e.g., 32 measures at a time rather than the entire track) - but the down side to this is that it's a major time drain and hassle when dealing with lots of MIDI tracks.

2. Record the MIDI to audio, and end up splitting the tracks and adjusting the start time of the lagging audio by various milliseconds (usually to start playing about 10 to 30 ms later to catch up with the other audio). I actually have to do this sometimes anyway (for performance reasons!) but having to do it with music that sometimes comes from a Finale or MIDI source, re-sync with the vocals or horns...arg...that would be a pain for all MIDI to audio conversions.

My sound card is a Roland UA-30 USB and I use a Yamaha UX256 USB MIDI thru box.

In summary, if you find your MIDI track, when converted to audio, lags behind your original MIDI (test this by soloing the two together) then, for me at least, setting KsUseInputEvent=1 in the Cakewalk AUD.INI worked.

Rob Birdwell

BirdwellMusic.com Virtual Studio

I'll be posting the basic play along track soon so we can all begin - the tune, written within the last few weeks, is called "Jenny's Web Cam." Yes, we've all seen her site, either by happenstance, mistaken-email-topic-quick-click (right), or through extensive research. I did happen to get an email invitation to visit Jenny's web cam - hence the birth of a new song. No it's not a porno song - it's a "serious" commentary on the state of free enterprise...(ha!)

Anyway, "Jenny" should serve as a nice vehicle for this type of musical collaboration and will, I hope, be fun to record in this manner.

The "Jenny" track will feature vocals, guitar, synths, strings and horn parts (I have a sketch that includes written parts for all instruments but specifically for Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Trombone - we'll see if that's possible in this "virtual" environment), drums, percussion, background vocals. Plenty of room for lots of folks to add their unique style to the mix.

Eventually, my basic tracks might simply disappear! After listening to the basic track (suspend belief, it will be very bare bones...intentionally), if you can imagine yourself contributing in some musical way (and have the ability to record yourself at home using your own computer/software) then, by golly do it!

[Detailed instructions to follow: Musicians can download the basic track along with the lead sheet of the tune and lay down their part...soon. The file exchange will either be email (MP3 files only) or the BirdwellMusic.com Virtual Studio group that I set up.]

Say tuned for more on the BirdwellMusic.com Virtual Studio!

All Things Beautiful (Free MP3 download) by Rob Birdwell

All Things Beautiful words and music (c) 2004 Rob Birdwell

I have many tunes queued up and ready to produce, yet there's just never enough time. Seems like the only ones I get to record are the tunes that carry a deep emotional meaning for me - and this one is particularly special! All Things Beautiful was written for my mom, Christine Birdwell, in honor of her birthday. Background vocals feature Linnea Birdwell, Maja Birdwell and Frey Birdwell. Rob Birdwell produced, sang and played Flugelhorn, Bass and Piano. Enjoy!

Other Music and Links from Rob in 2004

The Stranger By The Bay (new film music by Rob Birdwell)

The film will debut at the Majestic Theatre on February 20, 2004 - two showings: 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm. There will be wine and food too. Should be a nice time to celebrate all those who contributed their time and talents to this show. Here's a link to the content of the "official" press release from the producers.

As you may have guessed, I wrote the music for this film. Although there were over 30 different musical cues, I'm featuring two that I'm especially proud of:

Nice & Easy In Seattle - featuring the Hill Top Big Band

There Is No Getting Over You - featuring Susie Blair (vocals), Jim Guynn (saxes), Jed Irvine (drums), Linnea Birdwell (background vocals), Maja Birdwell (background vocals), Rob Birdwell (piano, bass, flugelhorn, background vocals, writer)

Live Tracks

Long Lonely Road To Chicago (Live) - a vocal tribute to Clifford Brown, featuring Susan Peck on Piano and Vocals

Bebop For Clifford (Live) - a bebop tribute the great Clifford Brown

Big Girl (Live) - featuring Rob Birdwell on the Vocals, Jim Guynn on Tenor Sax.

Little Man (Live) - featuring Rob Birdwell on the Vocals. Jim Guynn's lovely Soprano Sax is sweet n'est pas?

The Easy One - a straight ahead jazz chart.

Soundscapes From A Haunted City - Part I - Featuring the combined Right Relation Quintet and the Valley Brass Quintet. This music was written for an edited cut of the new movie "The Stranger By The Bay" written by Andy Foster.

Works In Progress

Beautiful Moments - shorting after finishing the song, I laid down a live piano/vocal rendition. Far from perfect yet captures the basic sense of the tune.

Stranger By The Bay and Other Music from Rob in 2004

The following is an archive of recent BirdwellMusic front page stuff - it's still relevant, but it's going to the archives!

The Stranger By The Bay - soon to be showing at a film festival near you!

The following tracks are from the forthcoming indie movie, "The Stranger By The Bay," written by Andy Foster, directed by Mary Jeanne Reynales, filmed/edited by David Grucza, music composed, arranged, produced and conducted by Rob Birdwell.

Nice & Easy In Seattle - featuring the Hill Top Big Band

There Is No Getting Over You - featuring Susie Blair (vocals), Jim Guynn (saxes), Jed Irvine (drums), Linnea Birdwell (background vocals), Maja Birdwell (background vocals), Rob Birdwell (piano, bass, flugelhorn, background vocals, writer)

The following are some live tracks, composed and arranged by Rob Birdwell featuring the Right Relation Quintet and Valley Brass Quintet:

Long Lonely Road To Chicago (Live) - a vocal tribute to Clifford Brown, featuring Susan Peck on Piano and Vocals

Bebop For Clifford (Live) - a bebop tribute the great Clifford Brown

Big Girl (Live) - featuring Rob Birdwell on the Vocals

Little Man (Live) - featuring Rob Birdwell on the Vocals

The Easy One - a straight ahead jazz chart

Soundscapes From A Haunted City - Part I - Featuring the combined Right Relation Quintet and the Valley Brass Quintet. This music was written for an edited cut of the new movie "The Stranger By The Bay" written by Andy Foster.

All selections composed and arranged by Rob Birdwell. Lyrics to Big Girl, Little Man and Long Lonely Road To Chicago are Copyright (c) Rob Birdwell.

Soft14.com - A great site for Music Software, Featuring Real Trumpet and Virtual Trumpet

Soft14.com - Freeware, Shareware, Demo, Trial, Free Download, Windows, Linux, Java, MP3, Pocket PC, Palm, MSWin PocketPC PalmOs best software program tool buy purchase, no crack serial - cool music downloads too!

Check it out!

Rob Birdwell

Draft Legislation in USA - HR 163

Bill Summary & Status - just a reminder that your vote counts (well, except if you voted in 2000 - if you lived in Florida at the time, that one probably didn't).

I oppose a mandatory draft - if there is a cause worth fighting for, then we do not need our government to force young men and women into harms way (possibly against their will), particularly for causes that are suspect or not what they appear to be.

I am going to vote for the candidate I believe will work to promote peace at home and throughout the world: John Kerry.

Okay, this is a musical blog - why the politics? Well, the stakes are high. Clearly there are important issues on the table: health care, security, the environment... and I firmly believe that a Kerry administration will clearly be the better alternative to the legacy Bush has left us with and seems intent on providing more of, if given the chance. And, of course, far, far down on the list are those policies that deal either directly or indirectly with art and music...yes, I believe a Kerry administration might have the foresight to put plans into place that encourage art/music programs, assist educators, and work with individuals/groups to encourage new amateur and professional opportunities in these fields. No, I'm not talking "entitlements" or government hand-outs for artists/musicians! What I'm referring to is more abstract. I'm referring specifically to an administration that recognizes the vast diversity of ways of expression and communication; an administration that values freedom of speech and enforces our constitutional rights rather than diminish them.

It's not too late to change the current course (war, fear, corruption: Bush). John Kerry is the better person for the job and will (I sure hope) bring sanity, logic, representative governing, and reason back to the role of President of the United States.

We all have a choice - this republic and our democracy will fail if we do not use our voices and exercise our rights: Vote.

Rob Birdwell

Other references and links:

Here's a Washington Time article where John Kerry stated he would not reinstate the draft.

Real Trumpet wins 5cup.com's Excellent Award!

This just in...it's now the "award winning" Real Trumpet audio loop library from BirdwellMusic.com, according to 5cup.com - but hey, don't take my word, see for yourself!

5cup.com grants Real Trumpet it's Excellent award!

By the way, the very latest on my Real Trumpet audio loop library can be found on BirdwellMusic.com!

As of this writing, Real Trumpet is only $19.95 and that includes shipping - now that's truly Excellent!

Rob Birdwell

P.S.: Virtual Trumpet can also now officially be called the award winning Virtual Trumpet, because, well...they said so...http://www.5cup.com that is!

Trumpet Sites

For the best Trumpet sites visit http://www.trumpetsites.biz/

...okay so I don't really know if they're the "best" - but that's what they say in their link exchange tag. But check 'em out anyway - there might be something interesting there.

Happy trumpet playing!

Rob Birdwell

Playing on the Streets

I'm writing this from Stockholm, Sweden...I too have witnessed metro musicians here and throughout our travels and have personallyenjoyed playing on the streets (of Paris)...for me, playing on the street the first time felt a little like skinny dipping at a puritan picknic - not exactly knowing what the reaction would be, only to find that most folks really don't give a hoot. It's always nice though when some people stop to appreciate the music enough to contribute to the hat. For those street musicians who make a living out of this type of performance, well...that's amazing! Must be a hard road, but I have a great appreciation for what they do.

Next time you see a so-called "street musician" take a moment from your busy day and listen...and reflect on the music you're hearing. It might just make your day. And if you have any spare change, well...you know the routine!

Rob Birdwell

Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes

While on a bus with my family leaving the Paris Jazz festival (a very enjoyable day in the park, with fine music that day) I got into a conversation with a guy who was a guitar player. We got on great, talked about music enthusiastically as the bus rolled along and eventually exchanged info...I gave him a complimentary copy of my Real Trumpet CD for yucks and he introduced me to a friend of his, who aparently is somewhat of a legend: Andy Hamilton.

I noticed him on the bus...he looked strongly gentle, if that makes any sense, and he looked like a man who was enjoying life...I guessed he might be in his 70s but it turns out he's well into his 80s and going strong (traveling by bus in Paris, especially a crowded festival bus, is a bit of an olympic event for even the young, let alone the young at heart).

Anyway, the guy (sorry I have his name but can't recall by memory but have it somewhere) gave me Andy's card and introduced us. He told me that Andy was quite a man and a real legend. I was honored to meet him of course, even on that crowded bus, and told Andy I looked forward to exploring his (Andy's) music...

Browsing Andy's bio, I'm proud to have met him and do look forward to hearing him play!

Rob Birdwell

Musical Notes from Europe Tour

Musical highlights so far include playing on the streets of Paris (bringing in an undisclosed some of pocket change!) and playing with my in-laws here in Sweden (trumpet with their fine accordion playing) - lost my mouthpiece somewhere in France, but have been able to use my Flugelhorn mouthpiece (which I just happened to bring - bon chance!).

Attended a Jazz festival outside of Paris - liked the original group with the Sax/Accordion player - will update this post with more info on them!

There´s a slight chance I´ll hook up with John Bliss in Stockholm later this month, but we must return on the 27th and head home on the 31st!

Enjoying the sights, sounds, tastes and company very much and all are having a good time!

Rob