Last night I did something - finally did something - that I had begun to think might not actually happen: I mixed a solo piano record. The fact that I had the guts to even record in the first place is amazing enough to me. I had set very high technical standards for myself as a keyboard player, of which the piano undoubtedly plays a big part. But piano by itself? I had to fundamentally change the way I thought about doing this, and treat it more as a very individual personal kind of thing - abandoning the idea of technical perfection in favor of musicality. Having wrapped my head around that, I got myself in front of a piano with some good mics for 2 days back in January. My schedule has been so nuts I was starting to think I was never going to finish this long long overdue project. Bit here we are: morning coffee and mix files. It's what's for breakfast. Look for a release... well, sometime relatively soon. No need to rush things!
Another truly amazing performance by our friend Ms. Heap. As my daughter says, "she wins the interwebs". I'm familiar with each musical technique - reverb wet/dry balance, overdrive, filtering etc - but to put it into a seamlessly controlled package they way she does is jaw-dropping. Enjoy. :)
Having lived 51 years, and played music most of that time, I'm not exactly sure why I was surprised when a buddy called to say he had an extra ticket to see Todd Rundgren at the Bearsville theater. It's practically a full house here. Since I did a coupe of gigs with Jesse Gress (Todd's guitarist) I was invited backstage. I'm now sitting front row balcony and the show's about to start. Other than my friend (also friends with the band), I don't actually know anyone here. But that's ok. It's wicked cool to be here anyway. I know the show's gonna kick arse. :)
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Here's a couple more pix from during the show, which was just super fun. The sound wasn't great - the Bearsville sound system just doesn't sound that good - and the band was tired (from the TR "music survivor's camp" of the previous week) but the VIBE was super high - all about peace & love, everyone smiling...
Some of the tunes they played:
Real man Hello It's Me Dream Goes On Forever (Blues) Ooh Baby Baby I Saw The Light
..and tons of others, most of which I didn't recognize. But it certainly was a great scene for sure. :)
Last night was one of those gigs - one for the memory banks. Super fun! The sound wasn't great - either on stage or in the house - but we definitely blew the roof off the place. A lotta history there; Todd Rundgren's studio Utopia, Albert Grossman (who built the Bearsville Complex), etc. Great vibes, great hang. Opening set with Jesse Gress (Todd Rundgren's guitarist) was some of the most pure fun I've had onstage in a while. :)
Here's another piano track from my upcoming CD. This one was improvised in what I like to call a "Brisk 20th century style". With somewhat dissonant harmony and strong rhythms, it's very similar to what I do stylistically in Martha Graham style dance classes. (I've been a Dance Class accompanist for a really really really long time now...)
Over the course of 20 years playing Graham Classes I've developed a serious working musical vocabulary, one I felt worth documenting.
The title was immediately obvious on listening back. I posted it in celebration of Martha Graham's birthday, just a few days ago (May 11th). Thanks for listening!
- Neil
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others." - Martha Graham
As a part of the area's "Hudson/Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration" I was extremely thrilled to be able to present this concert at one of my fav spots, the Newburgh Free Library. We streamed the show and everything. A gentleman I recently met by the name of Paul Lockwood, who owns a local home for seniors called the New Windsor Country Inn, told me he was at the show (!) and had pictures (double!!). Here they are. :) Thanks Paul!
And in case you missed it, here's a video. The whole show is up there, some on Youtube and some on Vimeo...
Neil Alexander & NAIL performing Tomorrow Never Knows as part of the "400 Year Musical Journey" Concert, Sept 13th 2009. With: Neil A. (keys), Dan Asher (Bass), Nadav Zelniker (drums), Premik Russel Tubbs (EWI) and Zach Brock (violin/loops). This video is TOO LONG for YouTube. Damn them anyway. :)
Here are some fab pix taken by our friend Allen Wentz (@allenwentz on twitter - check him out, he's awesome) of some folks at the Waves event - namely Steve Lawson, Sam Hallam and myself.... Special thanks to Allen for sending over the photos.
Here's the great & Wonderful Steve Lawson with his magic solo bass setup. And I do mean Magic. :)
Here I am with my "tools", trying to keep up with Steve. Had to work to make eye contact through the wall of equipment..
And the delightful Sam Hallam was in attendance, a brilliant young man and bassist who was just celebrating his birthday.
Steve again, a bit more candid (and blurry).
And me with my "let's get this show on the road....something" face. Do you really need to take that picture NOW???
So here we are: 2010. It's been a wacky ride, especially the last few weeks! I've been so busy with gigs now (thanks heavens!) that I can't see straight. My "Year end wrap up" post never actually materialized, but at some point I will touch on the things that started last year and are starting to flower and bear fruit this year. Things like "The Mahavishnu Project" - which is picking up steam in a subtle and most interesting way. But I digress - and I'll come back to this with pix, video, and a story to tell. Promise.
This post is about looking forward - to possibilities, and to the future of Live Music. It's about bringing music right to you, the listener. That's right, I'm taking about House Concerts. Starting this year, I will be embarking on a new path: Solo House Concerts.
Concerts in Your Home. :)
I'm sure most (if not all) of you have heard of this delightful phenomenon. Basically what it means is that A performer, one who's music you're interested in, comes to your houseand does an intimate semi-private performance for you and your friends. People can bring food (ranging from snacks to a pot-luck dinner); it can be a cover charge or suggested donation. (I have to cover costs, and these will vary by location.) The important thing is everyone gets to have a meaningful musical experience - up close and personal, both for the fans and the artist. Basically, everyone wins! Some great info about the House Concert ideology and how it works can be found Here:
At this time, I've yet to do a solo performance (in someone's house, that is - I've done tons of solo gigs at traditional venues), so I've no video to post at the moment. I am setting up a local performance for recording so you can see exactly what I'm offering, from setup stills and live video. But till then, here's a brief description of what I do, especially for those coming to my music for the first time: I am a jazz pianist and electronica artist. What I've done is combine these 2 styles into something unique; something that blends jazz, rock, electronics, funk and ambient music into a seamless blend. My music is both composed & improvised; I perform a combination of familiar jazz standards with a twist; gentle ambient electronica improvisations, and a variety of combinations of all the aforementioned styles. I will bring an ever-so-small electronic setup to your house. If you have a piano (and it's a reasonably good instrument and in tune), I can use it along with the electronics - or keep it straight up acoustic if you prefer. I have my own style at the piano (somewhat along the lines of Keith Jarret and Bill Evans, with a modern classical vibe thrown in). In addition to standards and improvisations I also do select classical works - Gershwin, Bartok, Mozart etc. Stuff I'm SURE you and your friends will enjoy. :) I will have some video to post soon, of both my electronic, acoustic, and "electro-acoustic" material. Meanwhile, I have a whole bunch of stuff that you can look at to get a better idea of what I'm about, at my YOUTUBE page. I will be in the Los Angeles Area at the end of July and currently have an open date on July 23rd. Hit me up on twitter (@nailmusic) if you'd like to set something up! Also wanted to mention that my group NAIL - in either acoustic or electric form - is also available for House Concerts, although we'd need a bit more room (and a bit more money...). Here's my group NAIL performing at our first house concert in May 2009:
So - stay tuned for an actual House Concert Page to be posted on this site with vids, booking info, contact form, etc. Thanks for looking. I agree with the current sentiment that House Concerts are indeed the way forward. Peace!
Holy smokes! Here are some pix from my recent show with the Mahavishnu Project, one of the most fun bands I've ever been in. The lineup for this show was Greg Bendian (drums), Peter Brendler (bass), Glenn Alexander (guitar), Zach Brock (violin) and myself (Neil Alexander) on keys. We really turned up the heat and blew the room away, receiving 2 standing ovations during the course of the set. For me, it doesn't get much better than this. As an added bonus, we were opneing for "3 Friends", playing the music of Gentle Giant (with 2 original members) An excellent evening all around. :)
I have audio as well, and will post that at a later date. All pix courtesy Vincent Mineo (a.k.a. Vinnie The video Guy), who does an excellent job as archivist, capturing all kinds of great local shows (local being NY City area). We're lucky to have him in our corner.
P.S. - if you think I've posted too many pix for the reader (that's you) to assimilate, let me know. I'll post fewer pictures next time. :)
Taken at our show at the Bean Runner Cafe in Peekskill on May 1st. This band is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
These pics were taken by our good friend Vinnie the video guy, who makes awesome video archives and includes audio files and around 100 photos(!). I've uploaded my favs to flickr. Thanks, Vinnie! Neil
