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Last Saturday night at Matilda’s was a fun time had by all. We joked about it being our “Last Waltz,” alluding to The Bands show with a guest on every song. It was not The Band but it was a session with tasteful musicians that have played many years and shows with each other in one way or another. With some musicians coming all the way from Asheville to play, it was great having the gig at Matilda’s which is by far the best place to see or play music in Alpharetta, maybe anywhere when the weather is nice. No hassle, bring your own food and drink, bring your kids and dogs and relax. Hopefully will be doing it again soon, it will be an abbreviated list of musicians compared to Saturday, but brevity has it’s place as well.

Tomorrow night at the Crabapple Tavern I am lucky enough to play the music I love with musicians who share my passion. Brent Sandel a multi-instrumentalist from “The Tips,” has been one of my biggest musical influences since we met almost 10 years ago. Brent is an accomplished and tasteful musician. Besides Brent, my father would be my largest musical influence. Teaching me how to play fiddle tunes with a flatpick, a craft he had passed on to him from friends years before I was born. Maybe he will sit in and play the tunes, “the way they are meant to be played.” Music from every generation and genre can be found in the inspiration for our playing, while we will focus on some of our mutual favorites. From Irish traditions to brand new originals, and something for everyone somewhere in mix.

I would like to share a musical secret with all of you…Your ears will be thanking me later. Bach rules and pop music sucks! Bands that are popular right now that I find pleasing to my ear include Mumford and Sons. Many others, but I will use them as my example. Mumford and Sons music is passionate, melodic, rhythmic, and uses harmony, counterpoint, and chromaticism to convey their music’s power. I wish more contemporary artists did this.

So What? No pun intended, although Miles and the Jazz greats owe more to Bach than the vast majority of contemporary musicians. Not using Classical Music’s influence is one reason why I feel popular music can feel soul-less or spineless in comparison to something like Keith Jarrett in Koln or Clarence White in Sweden. I am trying to examine this now in my listening and my playing. I have found that musicians who are playful with melodies and time can create more suspense, or beauty in their music. Theory knowledge is a great tool for composing and playing, although it is not necessary, and in some extreme cases can even hinder the composer’s creativity.

I am currently learning Bach pieces to better understand my instrument and music in general. Starting with a simple melody then making it move, changing tonal centers, using secondary dominants, ii-V changes, chord substitutions as well as altered scales and diminished arpeggios makes songs more colorful and interesting. Giving them a timeless appeal. It is the icing on the cake, the drama between the first act and the curtain call. Every note or chord wants to resolve, (V-I) all music really is how a composer or band gets the notes to play with each other before resolving/ or not.

Well you gotta start somewhere. I will later upload a piece I wrote this morning. I was trying to compose a jazz piece somewhere in the thread of a Thelonious Monk song with Jethro Burns influence I guess? The title of the song is “Picky”. The title of this post is referring to my journey back in time to find inspiration in music that has always been here and always will be.