Recommended Equipment

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What I Recommend for Students

  • <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Rico-Padded-Strap-Tenor-Baritone/dp/B005FKF6B8?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=whollifi-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=bf0bebf83ee8f0cc12d2b7644685d2fe&camp=1789&creative=9325">Neck Strap</a>

    <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Rico-Padded-Strap-Tenor-Baritone/dp/B005FKF6B8?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=whollifi-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=bf0bebf83ee8f0cc12d2b7644685d2fe&camp=1789&creative=9325">Neck Strap</a>

What I Use - my “Set Up”

  • Soprano

  • Alto

  • Tenor

  • Baritone

  • Clarinet

  • Bass Clarinet

  • Flute

  • Piccolo

  • Microphone

  • IEM’s

  • Effects

The "Lost" Donny McCaslin Album

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Hey You! You like Donny McCaslin. Trust me, you do. You just don’t know it yet…

There’s an album that I think really exemplifies the sound that McCaslin was achieving with his now famous quartet of Mark Guiliana, Jason Lindner, and Tim Lefebvre. It’s called Fast Future. It came out right before his work with David Bowie and Blackstar, Bowie’s final record. I’m not sure what happened, I’m assuming some sort of distribution deal or representation change, that lead to this album being removed from Spotify, but, it’s sadly no longer available on the one streaming service to which I subscribe. While it may be on YouTube (discussed in another post), please go check it out and buy it on bandcamp.

The following is set to begin at one of my favorite songs of all time, “No Eyes”. PLEASE BUY THE RECORD.

From the Source: Zach Danziger/Owen Biddle/Edit Bunker

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From the Source: Zach Danziger/Owen Biddle/Edit Bunker

If you’re a musician that loves electronic music, but craves live interaction, Zach and Owen have created something unique that you need to see. Below is a masterclass-ish of how Edit Bunker does (say it with me) - the voodoo that they do. … (pause for laughter)

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Actually Good Covers: Bilial "Is This Love"

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Actually Good Covers: Bilial "Is This Love"

Covers suck. Musicians playing covers suck. - JK, lol.

Covers are great, it’s just so sad to see them done so poorly SO often. Granted, it’s a tough needle to thread. How does an artist put their stamp on a song without losing what makes that song great. This is the 1st installment in a new series on the blog I’m currently calling ACTUALLY GOOD COVERS.

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Table For One: Evan Ziporyn

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Table For One: Evan Ziporyn

One of my absolute favorite clarinetists and bass clarinetists is Evan Ziporyn.  While this a long piece, it's so worth listening to all of the sounds Evan is able to get out of the instrument - especially his ability to make chords on the bass clarinet... enjoy.

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2017-2018 - All-State Jazz Results

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2017-2018 - All-State Jazz Results

I'm very happy to congratulate one of my students, Andrew Kreitner, on being chosen as lead tenor sax for Georgia's All-State Jazz Band.  Andrew has constantly surprised me with his earnestness and sincerity.  Good job to Andrew for this much deserved achievement.

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I Can Do Something You Can't Do... (kind of)

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I Can Do Something You Can't Do... (kind of)

I hate Apple.  Everyone that knows me, knows this.  Like with most things, I'm pretty vocal about it.  And so, I use a Surface Pro as my main device.  I use it as a tablet for gigging and rehearsing, for writing manuscript on Finale, for recording or live production with Ableton, for running live effects with Guitar Rig. 

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How Much Do You Charge for a Gig?

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How Much Do You Charge for a Gig?

This has come up, fortunately or unfortunately, a lot in the last few months.  Talking money usually freaks people out, especially if you're setting your own prices.  I've had my good and bad moments dealing with club owners, restaurant owners, wedding planners, etc., but what I've learned is that if you're upfront with people, guidelines are clear, numbers are concrete, deposits paid, and signatures signed, you'll feel much better after a gig and have very little keeping you up at night (like what happened to me recently)...

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