Challenges and problems can derail your creative process … or they can make you more creative than ever. In the surprising story behind the best-selling solo piano album of all time, Tim Harford may just convince you of the advantages of having to work with a little mess.
These dancing holograms are the coolest way to learn to play the piano
I took exactly one lesson in piano, and hated it. Couldn’t do it. Still can’t play an instrument, even the kazoo. But MIT has developed a gran ambitious project that just might influence the next generation of piano superstars.
Andante visualizes as animated characters walking along the piano keyboard that appear to play the physical keys with each step. Based on a view of music pedagogy that emphasizes expressive, full-body communication early in the learning process, Andante promotes an understanding of the music rooted in the body, taking advantage of walking as one of the most fundamental human rhythms.
Andante from Tangible Media Group on Vimeo.
Musician Dave Swarbrick Of Fairport Convention Dies at 75
Musician Dave Swarbrick, best known for his work with influential folk group Fairport Convention, has died at the age of 75.
The band shared the news on their website, and they posted the following message:
We have just had the sad news from Alex Swarbrick that his father, Dave Swarbrick, has passed away. Swarb, as you know, had been seriously ill for some time and, although he had showed recent signs of improvement, died in hospital this morning. Our thoughts right now are with his wife Jill and the Swarbrick family.
Described by Ashley Hutchings as ‘the most influential [British] fiddle player bar none’ Swarbrick’s style has been copied or developed by almost every British, and many world folk violin players who have followed him. He was one of the most highly regarded musicians produced by the second British folk revival, contributing to some of the most important groups and projects of the 1960s, and he became a much sought-after session musician, which has led him throughout his career to work with many of the major figures in folk and folk rock music.
His work for the group Fairport Convention from 1969 has been credited with leading them to produce their seminal album Liege and Lief (1969) which initiated the electric folk movement. This, and his subsequent career, helped create greater interest in British traditional music and was highly influential within mainstream rock. After 1970 he emerged as Fairport Convention’s leading figure and guided the band through a series of important albums until its disbandment in 1979.
He also played in a series of smaller, acoustic units and engaged in solo projects which have maintained a massive output of recordings, a significant profile and have made a major contribution to the interpretation of traditional British music.
Eight Essential Diana Krall Albums Will Be Reissued In 180-Gram Double-LP Vinyl Editions
As part of Verve Records’ ongoing 60th anniversary celebration, Verve/UMe is proud to announce the July 15 release of eight essential Diana Krall albums in 180-gram, 2-LP vinyl reissues. The renowned pianist and vocalist has called Verve home for the vast majority of her illustrious career, and these new versions of her recordings originally released between 1996 and 2009 showcase many of her finest moments in lustrous vinyl format.
These reissues, which each feature the original album in its entirety on two LPs, range from intimate trio sessions to celebratory big band outings, songbook standards to modern pop favorites and memorable original songs. All feature Krall’s expressive voice and deft piano playing, along with production by three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Tommy LiPuma.
The series begins with All For You, Krall’s reverent tribute to the Nat King Cole Trio, originally released by impulse! in 1996. The album features Krall leading a trio with guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Paul Keller through some of the legendary pianist/singer’s most beloved tunes, with guest appearances by pianist Benny Green and percussionist Steve Kroon. Its follow-up, 1997’s Love Scenes, includes 13 of Krall’s favorite love songs, performed by her trio with Malone and Christian McBride on bass.
A distinctly orchestral sound comes to the forefront on Krall’s official Verve debut, When I Look in Your Eyes, released in 1999. Eight of the album’s 13 tracks feature strings conducted by veteran composer/arranger Johnny Mandel along with an all-star jazz ensemble. The symphonic approach was expanded even further for The Look of Love (2001), which spotlights Krall’s vocals backed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Recorded live during Krall’s sold-out run at the legendary Olympia Music Hall in Paris in late 2001, Live in Paris captures the energy and spark of Krall’s concert performances. The album’s dozen songs feature several of Krall’s regular collaborators, including guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Jeff Hamilton, as well as Orchestre Symphonique Européen, conducted by pianist/arranger Alan Broadbent.
The Girl in the Other Room (2004) was Krall’s first release to prominently feature her own original songs, many of them written in collaboration with her husband, Elvis Costello. She returned to the Great American Songbook for 2006’s From This Moment On, which garnered a Best Jazz Vocal Album nomination at the 2007 GRAMMY® Awards. The series concludes with Krall’s 2009 album, Quiet Nights—her tenth release—highlighted by GRAMMY® Award-nominated arrangements from frequent collaborator Claus Ogerman.
Diana Krall is a star in a long line of revered and influential artists who have been featured on Verve throughout the label’s 60 years. Verve was founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, the forward-thinking impresario responsible for the hugely popular Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, which brought the music to new audiences and garnered jazz an unprecedented level of respect in popular culture. Granz also managed Ella Fitzgerald and launched the label in large part to create new opportunities worthy of the singer’s immense talent, including her landmark series of “Songbook” recordings.
Under the visionary leadership of Granz and, after MGM purchased the imprint in 1961, Creed Taylor, Verve continued to set new trends. The label sparked the Bossa Nova craze with the 1964 release of the GRAMMY® Award-winning Getz/Gilberto and brought a lush, elegant new sound to jazz with the arrangements of Claus Ogerman and Oliver Nelson. Its focus eventually widened to encompass groundbreaking comedy, folk and rock recordings, including now-iconic releases by The Velvet Underground, Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention, Janis Ian and Laura Nyro.
It was its jazz legacy that cemented Verve’s place in the popular imagination, however, and after a fallow period in the ’70s and ’80s Verve was revived in the mid-1990s, again signing many of the biggest names in music: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln and Shirley Horn, all of whom recorded for Verve during this period.
Over the course of its six-decade history, Verve has become synonymous with the very best in jazz, venerating the music while charting its course and helping to break down racial and stylistic barriers. There’s no better way to celebrate that legacy than with the music itself, and 2016’s 60th anniversary releases invite listeners to revisit the breathtaking sounds of Verve in new and exhilarating ways.
Make Music Day 2016 Announces Full Schedule Across 38 Cities
Make Music Day announced its full schedule of more than 3,000 free, outdoor musical events – with more to come – in more than 38 U.S. cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago,Boston, Nashville, San Diego, Seattle, Portland (OR), Madison (WI), Philadelphia, Detroit, Denver, Cleveland,Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Chattanooga, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and the entire state of Vermont, while smaller festivities are popping up around the country. The world’s largest annual global music celebration will return to the U.S. for its tenth year on June 21.
Held annually on June 21 to coincide with the summer solstice, Make Music Day is part of the international Fête de la Musique, taking place in 700 cities across 120 countries. The daylong, musical free-for-all celebrates music in all its forms, encouraging people to band together and play in free public concerts. This year, 38 U.S. cities and the entire state of Vermont are organizing Make Music celebrations, encompassing thousands of music making opportunities nationwide. Make Music Day is presented by the NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance. For more information, please visitwww.makemusicday.org.
Unlike typical musical festivals, Make Music Day, presented by the NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance, seeks to encourage all people, young and old, amateur or professional, to experience the pleasures and benefits of making music. On the longest day of the year first-time and seasoned musicians pour out onto streets, and into parks, plazas, porches and other public spaces to share music-making with friends, neighbors, and other music-makers.
More than 175 single-instrument Mass Appeal events will take place across the country, bringing together musicians – of all levels and ages – to make music in large groups led by experienced facilitators. Instruments played in Mass Appeal events include guitars, harmonicas, accordions, flutes, recorders, pianos, saxophones, bagpipes, percussion, trombones, bassoons, French horns, music boxes, synthesizers, ukuleles, and more.
Free guitar, harmonica, ukulele, drum and other instrumental lessons are being offered nationwide. In New York City, 50 guitar teachers will set up in the pedestrian plazas around Times Square, equipped with a guitar for themselves and a guitar for anyone interested in learning to play, presented by Fender. In Nashville, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will be hosting free, group guitar lessons during which aspiring guitarists will learn basic chords and strumming techniques through familiar country songs.
Sousapaloozas in Chicago, Cleveland, New York and St. Paul, will bring together hundreds of brass and wind musicians to play the music of John Philip Sousa while Street Studios in Chattanooga, Los Angeles, Boston and New York will feature DJs and producers with a simple setup – a laptop, mics, MIDI controllers, speakers, and instruments – bringing gear and engaging passersby in a spontaneous, collaborative production of original music on the street. In partnership with Found Sound Nation, audio products leader HARMAN will transport the basic elements of a music studio to six public spaces in New York City andLos Angeles and in four cities abroad – and make them open and accessible to everyone in the local community. In Boston, Lumit Audio is presenting Street Studio.
Additional national Make Music Day 2016 highlights include:
Stones/Water/Time Breath, a meditative piece of music by Dean Rosenthal in which participants will skip stones and take in the beauty of the simple sounds of nature in Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
Philip Glass, known as one of New York City’s iconic musical figures, will help usher in Make Music New York’s second decade by playing from his Etudes for piano at Pier i in Riverside Park, along with 40 students from New York City public schools.
“Shimmer” with Yeah Yeah Yeahs Drummer Brian Chase: In New York City, Boston, Chicago and Nashville, dozens of performers will premiere “Shimmer,” a new 45-minute work by Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, scored for 16 (or more) Zildjian cymbals, arranged in a circle. Chase will lead the New York City performance at Madison Square Park.
Inside the Bird Chorus: New York City’s avian life is celebrated in this project by composer/clarinetist David Rothenberg, conceived as a dialogue between improvising musicians and native bird species of the city. Rothenberg performs at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and their resident bird expert will be on hand for conversation. There will be similar performances by other musicians at wildlife havens in all five boroughs, at either dawn or dusk (prime bird-call hours), in partnership with the National Audubon Society.
The Bumblebee Challenge: Around the country, woodwind, brass and string players will strive to play the fastest, most accurate performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee.” Participants can enter using a special free version of SmartMusic, the interactive music practice software.
“Eye of the Tiger” on Boomwhackers: Fans attending baseball games on Make Music Day in New York City (the minor league Staten Island Yankees) and in Madison, Wisconsin (the collegiate Madison Mallards) will be given Boomwhackers – pitched hollow pipes made of plastic. During the seventh-inning stretch, conductors and a singer will come onto the field and lead fans in a crowdsourced performance of Survivor’s anthemic “Eye of the Tiger,” inviting people to whack the tubes on cue, on the seats or bleachers in front of them. Original Survivor front man Dave Bickler, renowned for his vocals on “Eye of the Tiger,” will sing the classic hit at the Staten Island Yankees game.
Jazz Foundation of America, which offers a variety of programs and assistance for jazz and blues musicians in need, is presenting gigs in Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle, bringing more free, high-quality jazz to the public and giving performance opportunities to over a dozen living legends.
Clavinova Cafe: In a partnership between Yamaha and nearly 60 music retailers around the country, people can try out a Clavinova keyboard, learn to play a song, and enter to win an instrument.
Other events around the country will highlight the musical history and ingenuity of each city including:
Minneapolis, MN – John Munson of Semisonic, the Minneapolis-based alternative rock band whose song, “Closing Time,” soared to the top of the charts in 1998, will lead a ukulele jam session. Sheet music will be provided, just bring your uke.
Cleveland, OH – Twenty string players will perform the National Anthem at Progressive Field prior to the baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays. Additionally, musical groups lined up along the concourse will play throughout the game, and two bands will perform at each entrance gate when the stadium opens at 6 pm.
Salem, OR – Original and all current members of The Kingsmen will lead a play-along performance of their enigmatic 1963 hit, “Louie Louie“and musicians will perform on the steps of the State Capitol.
Auburn, AL – High school marching bands, drum lines, community choirs, electric guitars, people holding egg shakers and others will gather for a performance of the legendary song, “Sweet Home Alabama.”
Detroit, MI – A massive performance will take place on the front plaza of the Detroit Institute of Art.
Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique where it takes place every year on June 21, the summer solstice. It has since spread to over 700 cities across 120 countries.
All Make Music Day events are free and open to the public. Participants who wish to perform, or to host musical events, may register at www.makemusicday.org. The full schedule of events will be posted on the website in early June.
Cities participating this year include Atlanta (GA), Black Hills (SD), Boston (MA), Buffalo (NY), Cedar Rapids (IA), Chattanooga (TN), Chicago (IL), Cleveland (OH),Columbia (SC), Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), El Paso (TX), Fort Lauderdale (FL), Fort Wayne (IN), Fullerton (CA), Issaquah (WA), Liberty (MO), Los Angeles (CA), Madison (WI), Mentor (OH), Minneapolis/St. Paul (MN), Montclair (NJ), Nashville (TN), New York(NY), Niagara Falls (NY), Ossining (NY), Philadelphia (PA), Pittsburgh (PA), Platteville (WI), Portland (ME), Portland (OR), Salem(OR), San Antonio (TX), San Diego (CA), Seattle (WA), St. Louis (MO), Vermont (statewide), and Washington (D.C.).
Watch Behind-the-Scenes Traveling Wilburys Footage
In honor of the upcoming Traveling Wilburys reissue campaign, here are a pair of videos offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of the group.
The Traveling Wilburys Collection (Deluxe Edition) contains Vol. 1, Vol. 3 with bonus tracks, and a DVD with a True History of The Traveling Wilburys mini-documentary and the 5 music videos. Packaged in a linen wrapped rigid slipcase and includes a 40 page casebound book, an envelope containing 2 photocards, 2 postcards, a fabric sticker and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
The Wilburys formed in 1988 after Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison assembled at Dylan’s Malibu, California studio to record a B-side for the Harrison single “This Is Love.” The resulting song, “Handle With Care,” was instead released under the Wilburys name, with the artists posing as a band of brothers. George later said, “I liked the song and the way that it turned out with all these people on it so much that I just carried it around in my pocket for ages thinking, ‘Well what can I do with this thing?’ And the only thing to do I could think of was do another nine. Make an album.” The original album release, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, achieved great success; after hitting No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, the certified double Platinum album earned a GRAMMY for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.
Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, the group’s second album, was released in 1990 and dedicated to Lefty (Roy Orbison) Wilbury, who passed away in late 1988 before recording could be completed. “She’s My Baby” and “Wilbury Twist” became radio hits as the album reached #11 in the U.S. and was certified Platinum.
Sugar Land Installs ‘Selfie Statue’ In Town Square Plaza
Sugar Land, Texas recently installed two sculptures in Sugar Land Town Square’s public plaza – part of a 10-piece collection donated by a Sugar Land resident to the City through the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation.
Other statues are located at Sugar Land Memorial Park, Oyster Creek Park and Fire Station 4 in First Colony. A future installation is planned for Highlands Park.
The first bronze sculpture depicts a guitar player sitting on the ledge of a fountain facing City Walk. The second represents two girls taking a “selfie” near a bench with City Hall in the background. Both show activities common in the plaza.
The public art donations were reviewed and approved by two citizen committees in 2014 – the Parks, Art, Recreation, Culture and Streetscapes (PARCS) board and the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation – before final approval of City Council the same year.
The inclusion of sculpture in the Town Square plaza aligns with the continued vision of the City and the Legacy Foundation’s commitment to establish cultural arts amenities that “provide and/or support activities and facilities that enrich the artistic, cultural, educational, and historical character of Sugar Land.”
The City is currently developing a Public Art Plan that reflects the public’s strong desire for art that beautifies the city, has a place-making quality and supports places where people gather such as Sugar Land Town Square.
An unveiling ceremony commemorating the donation will be announced at a later date in partnership with the Legacy Foundation.
Don’t Expect Another Who Album, Says Roger Daltry
You said in the past that Pete has hundreds of songs that could be recorded. Would you ever make another Who record?
Roger Daltry: We’ve talked about it, but it’s not going to be easy. There’s no record industry anymore. Why would I make a record? I would have to pay to make a record. There’s no royalties so I can’t see that ever happening. There’s no record business. How do you get the money to make the records? I don’t know. I’m certainly not going to pay money to give my music away free. I can’t afford to do that. I’ve got other things I could waste the money on.
Well, the music industry is constantly changing.
Well, it’s been stolen. The way the Internet has come about has been the biggest robbery in history, like musicians should work for nothing.
Artists get paid for streaming, but not like they did for albums.
You’re joking. You get paid for streaming, my ass. There’s no control. Musicians are getting robbed every day. And now it’s creeping into film and television, everything now. You notice, the Internet is a slowly but surely destructive thing in all ways. I don’t think it’s improved people’s lives. It’s just made them do more work and feel like they’re wanted a bit more, but it’s all bollocks. They feel like they’re wanted because they got 50,000 Facebook likes or whatever, and it’s all bollocks. It’s all rubbish [laughs]. Look up for a while. Live in the real world.
High School Grad With Cerebral Palsy Walks For The First Time…Onstage To Get His Diploma
While other graduates prepare for graduation day, Okmulgee High school graduate Micah (Josh) McDade was preparing for much more. Born with cerebral palsy since birth, McDade has had a lifetime of obstacles, numerous surgeries to overcome and hours upon hours of physical therapy. He never gave up on his path to someday do what comes naturally to most everyone else…walk.
Though he has been told by doctors it may never happen, Micah believes with will, determination and the power of God, all things are possible. On the night of his high school graduation, Micah proved this.
About three years prior Micah made his plan to walk for his diploma. McDade had a muscle reconstructive surgery in August of 2015. After his recovery in December he had just five short months to prepare. Unbeknownst to his friends and classmates, behind the scenes Micah was working harder than ever to achieve his goal and he picked a very poignant day in his life to show the world.
May 20, 2016, Micah was pushed in his wheelchair to the graduation stage in Harmon Stadium. With shock and surprise, his graduating class and the whole audience realized what he was about to attempt. Yes, Micah stepped out onto the stage. The crowds erupted into cheers and applause, there was barely a dry eye in the audience as everyone stood to their feet and cheered Micah on every step of the way. As he made his way to the end of the platform, announcer Craig Brydges said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been doing this a long time – THAT is the best ever!”
Instagram Launches Business Accounts
Instagram is a place where people can turn their passions into livelihoods. For instance, handmade accessory business JACKSON AND HYDE started an account a year and a half ago to raise awareness of its wares. “Instagram has been critical for brand exposure, dialogue with new and potential customers and being discovered by partners and retailers,” Genevieve Monroe, the CEO and co-Founder tells Instagram. And other companies, like eCommerce business Caeden, are taking advantage of Instagram advertising to expand beyond their current following and find new customers.
With so many companies using Instagram, and many people on the platform interacting with them, there was a desire from our business community to do more. So they listened. And, after hundreds of interviews with businesses, three key needs became clear—stand out, get insights and find new customers.
First, businesses want the ability to stand out on Instagram. Many companies, including a furniture store in San Francisco, shared that it would be easier for customers to email questions because comments are hard to track and take time to sift through. Second, businesses want a simple way to get insights. A retailer in Austin explained that many analytics are overwhelming and hard to apply to its marketing. And third, businesses want to reach even more customers. A do-it-yourself craft shop in New York City mentioned it’s always looking for quick ways to fill seats in class.
With these insights in mind, they set out to make Instagram work even better for businesses. So today, Instagram unveil their new Instagram Business Tools.
Business profiles are a free feature for accounts wanting to be recognized as a business on Instagram. With a business profile, businesses can choose how they want their customers to get in touch with them: call, text or email with a tap of the contact button as well as get directions. Business profiles also unlock access to insights and the ability to promote.
The ability to promote lets you turn well-performing posts into ads right within the app—helping you connect with even more customers. Simply pick a post you’ve already shared on Instagram and add a button encouraging people to take action. You can select a target audience or allow Instagram to suggest targeting for you. After that, your post will be promoted as an ad for any length of time you choose.
Business profiles, insights and the ability to promote will be rolling out in the US, Australia and New Zealand in the coming months, and will be available in all regions globally by the end of the year.