THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012 AT 9:17PM
I went to hear the jazz group Road Work Ahead. Bill Mays- Piano, Bob Plank- Drums, Peter Sprague- Guitar, Bob Magnusson- Bass. They played Jazz arrangements of some popular stuff and mostly originals. The players made "IT" happen: separate instruments semlessly blend and create hybrid sounds coming from hybrid instruments... if you closed your eyes you might imagine that you were hearing the "Guitariano", the "Guitbass", or the "Drugitarbassiano". I left so highly motivated to continue my ear training practices. Listening is what does it. They had mastererful technique but it was the sound caused by this unseen act that was tieing them together. The players mixed eachother's sounds together in their inner ears, sent that sound out, and received a new version back. It was similar to the feedback loop effect I describe in this blog post. They deserved the standing ovation we gave them. Go see Road Work Ahead if you like Jazz. They are the very real deal. For you Jazz buffs, they are the deal inspired by Buddy Bolden back when it all got started.