My Kind Of Jazz (album)

For several years I played guitar in a band called Upstairs Jazz. It was occasional. We did cafe gigs, weddings, Christmas programs, and anniversary parties. It was great fun. The best part was I got to write original jazz music and then hear it played by great musicians. Two and a half years ago the guys decided they were too busy with other commitments to continue, so the band called it quits. Unfortunately, during the time we were together we never did any decent recordings of my songs as a band. I did record some gigs and practices with a hand-held digital recorder, but the recordings really weren’t good enough to release. 

I have been toying with the idea of starting a new jazz band and then recording the songs with the new band, but that would be a very long process before any recording could actually begin. I would have to form a band, teach them the songs, and raise money to record. Instead I have decided to record the songs myself and then use the recordings as “demos” for the band. That way they will have recordings of the songs to learn from and we can start gigging sooner. Eventually I would like to re-record the songs with the band in a studio or live. That is the goal. 

So I have begun recording the songs myself in my home studio using a laptop Mac and Digital Performer DAW Software. I plan to release songs as I finish them and then release a collection of them as an album entitled “My Kind Of Jazz.” I chose the name because people ask me what kind of jazz I play and I never know how to describe it. So I say “My kind of jazz.” Basically it’s a mix of different jazz styles flavored by my pop/rock sensibilities on guitar. I prefer melody and composition over displays of technique so while there is improvisation or soloing, I think it is listenable to casual jazz fans as well as jazz enthusiasts. And since I am mainly a guitar player, I hope guitar players will find it worth a listen also.  

Watch for song releases on the Media page.