Okay, so before I begin, this is my very first blog, so be kind... :) So, I’ve been working on this new chart (for those who didn't know, I'm kind of GFT's resident music writer). I started it a long time ago, but hadn’t had a chance to get back to it until recently. Of course, now, I want it done right away so we can do it at some of our upcoming jazz gigs. I had asked Nick (our piano player) to write out a beastly “sax soli” type section in the middle and when he sent it to me, my first thought was “wow”, that’s dang cool. My second thought was, “oh my, that’s pretty hard to sing”. Of course my very next thought was.... “awesome”. :)
In going through this tune, I’ve been trying something a bit new for us. I started with this chart called Harold’s House of Jazz. It has your typical vocalise type lyrics, written by David Lahm. As a side note, this tune is actually based upon another old jazz standard, called “Cherokee” and apparently, there is quite a lineage to this tune. Typically this tune is done at a rather hard bop tempo in 4, so, naturally, my goal was to do it in 3.
Anyways, back to my goal upfront for this tune. To try and find a way to create a big band vibe while at the same time using lyrics instead of scat type syllables like I did in La Fiesta. Not really a new concept, but I have been trying to find ways for us to “layer” the music in a similar fashion as to how a big band arrangement would be, using all the different sections in the band. Being that we are only 7 singers, I had to pair that concept down a bit, but overall, I think the vibe is workin’.
When I neared the end of the chart, I found myself stuck. Didn’t quite know where to go with it and had only a hazy idea floating around in my head. So, as usual, I sat down at the keyboard and my computer and tore into it. As it evolved I found it was pretty swingin’, pretty happy and had a bit of a contemporary big band flavor to it, at least in certain ways. The next challenge was to interweave lyrics and scat syllable stuff on different lines. Not necessarily a call and response, but more of an alternating thing that hopefully makes sense to the listener. I will have to get back to you as to whether or not this actually comes together because I’m in the middle of it right now and need to get it to my fellow GFTer’s so we can run it down on Tuesday [our typical rehearsal night].
Okay, so, jury is still out as to the lyric writing on the end of the chart. Sometimes it is hard to tell until we actually record it. Stay tuned.... :)
Oh yes! Some other very exciting news. Groove For Thought will be opening for Jay Leno in Vegas May 13th and 14th! Also, we just found out that our Christmas track "We Three Kings/O Come O Come Emmanuel" won a CARA award for best Holiday Song! Exciting stuff, right?
Keep in touch with us on facebook or twitter and we'll see you at a gig soon. And thanks for reading all of this, hope it wasn't too long and boring!
-Kelly
GFT
