Ellen's Pirate Music

Yes, it's true: I'm writing music for a brand new musical production about - pirates! It will be produced in July (2010) at Contra Costa College, in San Pablo, CA, just outside Berkeley. Playwright/author Pamela Barnes is writing the book and script. The show is called Josephine the Pirate Queen. Auditions have started - very exciting!

It's important to me that the music be played on instruments that actually could have been on pirate ships back in the 1700's. Nothing electronic! We're talking violin, recorder, accordian, upright bass, and some basic percussion. Plus, of course, the oldest and instrument of all: the human voice!

I need to finish the songs for the cabin girl, for the mermaid pirates, for the French gentleman who has flirtation (and possibly more) on his mind, and for the Ghost of Cpt. Kidd, who - it turns out - happens to also be the deceased grandfather of the heroine of the show, Cpt. Josephine.

Writing new music - and getting to hear it performed - is still a thrill to me, and provides great joy!

Minor Musings....Thoughts about George Shearing, Mack the Knife and Kurt Weill

If you think you know the tune Mack the Knife, as written by wonderful composer Kurt Weill - think again.

Listen to George Shearing play it, as a delicate, mournful, Chopin-esque piano solo - and you'll discover a whole new tune.

George transforms it from major into minor, and completely re-imagines the landscape of the melody and the harmonies.

It's so beautiful! There's an ethereal section near the end, where George is rolling the chords, and it is sheer perfection - a delicate creme puff among the sadness...

I wonder if Kurt Weill had a chance to hear this version? I hope so!

Minor Musings...Thoughts on KCSM Public Radio

This morning radio station KCSM, Jazz 91.1fm finally ended its fall fun(d)-drive.

Somehow, in these economically tough times, regular people (like you and me) found a way to scrape together a total of $300,000.00 to keep jazz on the air 24/7.

BRAVO and BRAVA! It's very inspiring, really.
It was TOUGH to get there - but they (we) got there!

It makes me feel hopeful for the future...for jazz & blues, for improvisational music, for music education, and for the state of the arts in general.

Minor Musings...Thoughts on Michael Jackson as a writer

In the immediate aftermath of Michael Jackson's passing, his music was everywhere. Not just the well-known hits, but also some lesser-known examples of his creative gifts as a writer. Since I'm a composer myself, I'm always interested in the WRITING first and foremost.

I discovered some pieces Michael had written that excited my imagination. I arranged two of these pieces - Stranger from Moscow, and Human Nature - for a small ensemble including vocalist, piano, bass, and - ukulele!
These pieces were included in 2 concerts I gave at Anna's Jazz Island in July, 2009.

Minor Musings...

Welcome!
This is my Brand New Blog!
I'm going to share various pieces of my current musical life.

I hope you will join me on my journey!
If you have anything to say, I would love to hear from you. Don't be shy!