The Soul - version 4

Listen: The Soul - version 4.MP3

212/365

Austin

As a final visit to my little tune, we're reminded again the extent to which jazz lives and dies by its performers and interpreters. In stark contrast to the ultra-rich smoothness of the vibraphone, today we hear my melody on an unaccompanied, lonesome alto sax (performed by Alexis Marsh).

Andy

July has been an incredible month. A health amount of time in the mountains and lots of fun. I also crashed my bike at the beginning of the month and the resulting minor leg injury kept me from too much leg-involved exercise. That being said I haven't been swimming at all. I think it's time to get back to it. Good for the soul.

Star Spangled Variations - part 1

Listen: Star Spangled Variations - part 1.MP3

207/365

Austin

The 'Star Spangled Banner,' our notoriously difficult national anthem, is ironically based on a British drinking tune and was only officially named our anthem in 1931 (though it had been in use by the US Navy since the late 19th century). Here begins a set of 50 variations on this tune...

Andy

Yes, I took a cat photo.

The Soul - version 3

Listen: The Soul - version 3.MP3

206/365

Austin

At the core of the essence of jazz lays the idea of rebirth. Improvisation truly is the soul. Each musician turns a simple tune into a creation all their own. Here we hear my tune completely reborn by the ever-talented composer and vibes player Sean Malone.

Andy

Rode the Urban Assault Ride today. Needless to say, it was awesome.

The Day We Lost Jerry

Listen: The Day We Lost Jerry.MP3

202/365

Austin

On this day 6 years ago the world lost one of its all-time great composers. Jerry Goldsmith's career in Hollywood spanned over 50 years and in that time he created some of the most beautiful, terrifying, innovative, exhilarating, meditative and all around brilliant scores by anyone of any time. The fact that he's still gone still seems somehow dreamlike. A world without Jerry is almost unfathomable.

Andy

3 Studies of American Folk Music - 3

Listen: 3 Studies of American Music - 3.MP3

1200/365

Austin

This post will be updated later pending the completed recording.

Andy

The Beautiful - 4 - "50"

Listen: The Beautiful - 4.MP3

199/365

Austin

This will be posted shortly, pending a completed recording.

Andy

3 Studies of American Folk Music - 2

Listen: 3 Studies of American Music - 2.MP3

198/365

Austin

This post will be updated later pending the completed recording.

Andy

The Beautiful - 3 - "The American People"

Listen: The Beautiful - 3.MP3

197/365

Austin

This will be posted shortly, pending a completed recording.

Andy

3 Studies of American Folk Music - 1

Listen: 3 Studies of American Music - 1.MP3

196/365

Austin

This post will be updated later pending the completed recording.

Andy

The Godfathers: Aaron Copland

Listen: The Godfather: Aaron Copland.MP3

195/365

Austin

Aaron Copland was without question America's leading composer for the majority of the 20th century. His influence is among the greatest ever exerted, right alongside Stravinsky and Bartok. Essentially every American composer owes him something or other. Today I salute him and his "Americana" legacy, in the form of quasi-musique concret with bassoon quartet (tracked brilliantly by the composer and bassoonist Damian Montano).


Andy

This is how America was built. Or at least… one of the ways.

The Godfathers: Charles Ives

Listen: The Godfathers: Charles Ives.MP3

194/365

Austin

.

Andy
Dot dot dot...

The Beautiful - 2 - "'Lil Sue"

Listen: The Beautiful - 2.MP3

193/365

Austin

This will be posted shortly, pending a completed recording.

Andy

Fortunate Son?

 

Listen: Fortunate Son?.MP3

192/365

Austin

These cultural inheritances seem to fit increasingly awkwardly into our lexicon. Indeed the 21st century is starting to really stand apart from its direct predecessor ... and yet, has anything really changed?

Andy
I ain't no senator's son.

The Beautiful - 1 - "Home to None"

Listen: The Beautiful - 1.MP3

191/365

Austin

This will be posted shortly, pending a completed recording.

Andy

A Salute! to the 38th

Listen: A Salute to the 38th.MP3

190/365

Austin

I've yet to visit a state quite like Colorado. Ok, being a native gives me a total bias, but despite that I don't believe I've come across so dynamic a state. One quite so varied in its textures and peoples and landscapes. Colorado has hints of the south, hints of the midwest, the old west, and even a pretty serious metropolitan center. As a salute, here is our state song, presented as eclectically as she is.

Andy

I like to wear my support, and double that with a hearty thumbs up!

America Etudes

 

Listen: America Etudes.MP3

189/365

Austin

If the cable news programs are any indication, America can't seem to decide if she's a collection of "folks," simple and good hearted, largely Christian, generous with their incomes, etc etc ... or rather an elite, sophisticated collection of the smartest, brightest and righteous world leaders. We're both the farmer and the astronaut; the sleek politician and down-to-earth 3rd grade teacher. This dilemma, in the form of two competing, interlocked American folk tunes, is performed by the extraordinary (and Grammy-winning) cellist, Steve Erdody.

Andy

Although I disagree that goodhearted and Christian are opposites of elite, sophisticated and smart, I get what Austin is saying. I chose to depict this as the duality between the on-the-go active lifestyle, and the sedentary glued to the couch life. I'll get to that hike right after this show.

Little Pink Houses

 

Listen: Little Pink Houses.MP3

188/365

Austin

The Suburban Jungle ... heaven or hell? Ain't that America?

Andy

It's something to see.

Blinding Lights

 

Listen: Blinding Lights.MP3

187/365

Austin

The urban centers are matters of perception, to say the least.

Andy

Can a man get a little peace around here?

Flyover Zones

 

Listen: Flyover Zones.MP3

186/365

Austin

For a brief of time I lived in Manhattan, and today I live in Los Angeles, but I grew up in Colorado. Particularly while living on the east coast, people would ask where I was from and, upon finding out, reply with some disparaging remark about coming from "the flyover zone." That broad swath of America including the Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Yellowstone and innumerable others ... apparently all worth experiencing is exclusively found on the coasts.

Andy

The Yampa Valley is gross and not noteworthy.

A Pretty Significant Birthday

 

Listen: A Pretty Significant Birthday.MP3

185/365

Austin

Today America turned 234 years old (a nice, ordered number). And with this birthday come the onslaught of fireworks. While perhaps it's too heavy-handed, I can't help but be reminded each year precisely what they represent, and why we should actually stop to celebrate. Today is for them, all 2.76 million of them.

Andy

Yayayayayayayayyy! Forth! Love today. On top of today's post I have a special request I have to honor, so also listen to this: Independence Day

Los Angeles

 

Listen: Los Angeles.MP3

184/365

Austin

The quintessentially American city. Our chief cultural exporter. New York's twin sister, who wonders to herself "how could we possibly have come from the same mother?" Not so much a melting pot as a rich stew.

Andy

Friendship at its best. Once again, you can't ignore an opportunity to make friends into models.

New York

 

Listen: New York.MP3

183/365

Austin

The quintessentially American city. A jewel of global civilization and the epitome of cultural melting pots. Life is perpetual, rugged and yet sophisticated and romantic.

Andy

"New York" hah. Denver will have to do as a stand-in here.

Midpoint

Listen: Midpoint.MP3

182/365

Austin

The midpoint. A fox running into the forest can only run half way.

Andy

Everything but the camera, 2 lights stands and 2 white umbrellas. It's heavier than it looks.