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Gary Meek

Saxophonist

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gm831

Don’t put the cart before the horse!

July 27, 2017 by gm831 Leave a Comment

I’ve had some interesting teaching moments recently. I had one student tell me he wanted to work more on Jazz phrasing and that what we were working on (technique) was so he could play in tune.

I explained that being in tune is a consequence of playing correctly. If we put down and pick up our fingers correctly and at exactly the right time, our intuition will not let us play out of tune. That’s a matter of faith, but it has been proven to me over and over again.

Intonation is about tone quality and blend. If you are playing with someone and your fingers aren’t together, it will sound out of tune regardless of the pitch. Now if we don’t have control of our fingers, and are slightly early or late all the time, this sends all kinds of confused messages to the brain. I doesn’t feel right. When what we’re playing doesn’t feel right to us, we can’t free our mind.

When we have complete control of our fingers, then we can learn how to make all the subtle adjustments necessary to phrase correctly. It’s easy from there. I’m not saying there aren’t others ways to get there, but to me it makes the most sense.

This is all very old teaching that came to me through my Teacher Phil Sobel and from his teacher Henry Lindeman, who developed his method by studying virtuoso violinist Jasha Heifetz, who studied with Leopold Hauer, Russian Master violin teacher.

Anyway, I find it very difficult to put the cart before the horse or to let my students do it either. However I do give them some easy jazz victories to pique their interest. It still need to be fun.
Have a nice day😎

Filed Under: Music Lessons

Official CD release Gig!

July 24, 2017 by gm831 Leave a Comment

To all my LA Friends and family,
I will be having my “official” CD release gig at:
Catalina Jazz Club
Thursday October 5th.

The band:
Gary Meek – Saxophone
Walt Fowler – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Terri Lyne Carrington – Drums
Brian Bromberg – Acoustic Bass
Mitchel Forman – Piano
Bruce Forman – Guitar

Tickets are available at:
catalinajazzclub.com

You will be seeing the same band that recorded the music on the CD! A rare opportunity for me!

My Local (pre street date) CD release party at Folktale Winery, up here in Carmel Valley, was a magical afternoon! The event was sold out and the band played beautifully. Again my deepest gratitude to all who helped make that happen!

Here is a link to my promo video on YouTube:

 

 

Filed Under: Gary Meek, Upcoming Events

CD Release party for Gary Meek at Folktale Winery Rose Garden

June 7, 2017 by gm831 Leave a Comment

For my local And regional friends and anyone else who can make it,

My CD release Party tickets are now for sale.
Thursday July 20th at:
Folktale Winery in the Rose Garden.
Doors open at 5:00. Minors are welcome!
There are a limited number of tickets available and we do expect a big turnout so get your tickets early so you don’t miss out 🙂
You can purchase your tickets here:

https://garymeek.eventbrite.com/

The Gary Meek Quintet Featuring:
David Hoffman – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Eddie Mendenhall – Piano
Dan Robbins – Acoustic Bass
Skyler Campbell – Drums

We’ll be playing all the music from my New CD – “Originals” –
The CD will be for sale at the party! This is a pre street date party for my local and regional friends. It is not released to the public yet so If you get the CD at the party you will be among the first few to have it.

Response to this band and this music has been fantastic and we anticipate another great evening in this magnificent setting! Special thanks to Mark Governor and the Folktale Winery for allowing us to have our party in such a beautiful place.

Hope to see you all there!

Here is a preview of the Cover and some remarks from people who have heard it already.

“On Gary’s new recording entitled Originals, he shows serious jazz chops and a strong compositional spirit well suited to his playing. The stellar supporting cast dig deep into the charts with outstanding results. Gary has flown “under the radar” for years and this new recording should help bring him to the forefront as a bandleader.”
Tim Jackson – Artistic Director
Monterey Jazz Festival

“Gary Meek is a masterful player, and gifted writer. I was thrilled to be asked to participate on this recording, and found the music to be joyful, as well as challenging. I’m happy that Gary is stepping out more as a leader in these musical times, eloquently demonstrating the many dimensions of great tenor playing.”
Terri Lyne Carrington

“I’m thrilled that Gary Meek has decided to step forward as leader and composer in such an emphatic way.  Widely known as a masterful, sensitive, and versatile horn player throughout the jazz community, Gary has taken that command and experience and created a recording that is both original and visionary. I couldn’t be more honored and pleased to have been asked to be a part of this project, and await the next with great anticipation. The Meek has inherited the earth!!!”
Bruce Forman

Gary Meek is a great instrumentalist with a big, beautiful tenor sound. He has made a compelling recording of adventurous arrangements and great playing all around. I’ve totally enjoyed this music on first listen, and plan to listen several more times. Bravo to you, Gary!”
Bob Mintzer
Saxophone-Yellow Jackets, Chair of Jazz Studies USC Thornton School Of Music

“This is really a great CD, full of the under-recorded Gary Meek’s incredible solos and heartfelt compositions!”
Randy Brecker

“Gary is one of my favorite musicians to play with and listen to, bringing his time, phrasing and melodic approach to the table through his horns, and bringing in great compositions as well. This CD is another great example of all those talents and more! ”
Dave Weckl

” This is the guy who only needs to play one note to grab your soul. With that deep and gorgeous sound of his, he will tell you a story that even he himself hasn’t heard before. I had the pleasure of listening to his beautiful stories every night when we traveled together with Dave Weckl’s Acoustic Band. They always start completely different, seem to continue forever, and go beyond one genre. They take me to places I have never been before. Gary’s got so much vocabulary on which to draw, and  to create so many different variations of his own beautiful world. His passion, respect, integrity, and love towards music are something you never miss feeling from his music.
Makoto Ozone

Gary’s new CD – “Originals” – more than exemplifies his genius as not only an accomplished instrumentalist, but also as a prolific composer. As he plays, his sound, technical facility, and  brilliant improvising skills, all add up to a magical listening experience, and just as his predecessors before him are always, seemingly limitless. Gary has the innate gift of not only communicating with his music but also the masterful way of taking the listener on his journey as he plays on. A perfect example of all this is very evident on his new CD
George Young

I’ve always admired Gary Meek’s sound and command of the horn. His new offering “Originals” has a beautiful flow, featuring both his tender side and ferocious versatility.
Bob Sheppard

We’ve played a lot of music together in this lifetime, and, again, you surprise me. This CD has the essential elements music requires to be pleasant, strong, and easy to listen to, without being boring. The compositions, arrangements and musicianship are excellent. The sound and the mix are round and transparent. Congratulations. I love it!
Airto Moreira

Gary Meek combines a unique mastery of his instrument with endless creativity and passion for music and the result is on full display on this excellent collection of songs. It was an honor to play a part in this recording and a true pleasure to hear the final result. Gary’s playing and writing is beautiful throughout and the production is flawless. This record deserves to be heard far and wide!
Michael Lent

Gary once gave me a saxophone lesson and encouraged me to play long tones.  I just wanted to learn how to play harmonics like Coltrane.  I suspect that Gary has put in many hours of long tone practice as his technique is amazing and he continually amazes me at how effortlessly he is able to make his unique voice heard.  It is obvious from this recording just how skilled he is; as a player, a composer, and a band leader.  What you might not know is that Gary is also an excellent piano player.  He sent me some demos of these songs where he’d played piano.  Brilliant. So being around Gary has had two serious consequences for me.  I have given up trying to play the saxophone and realize that I must practice piano to stay a half step ahead of Mr. Meek.  It was a privilege and honor to be part of this project and I trust you will enjoy the ride.
Mitchel Forman

For those of you who are not familiar with Gary as a solo artist, you will instantly become a fan for life. Even if you know his playing from the countless records on which he has recorded, you will get to truly know Gary as a person with this CD, as he bares his soul and opens up his spirit in a very honest and sincere way.

Gary and I have been friends for many years and have played music all over the world. We have also recorded together many, many times. But, even for those of us who know Gary well and are fans of his playing, we are blown away by the depth and honesty of this recording.

I, as the producer – as well as the bass player, on this CD, could not be more proud to be a part of something that is so special. It is truly a wonderful feeling when the music is so inspired that it takes on a life of it’s own.

Thank you, Gary, for trusting me with your music, I could not be happier for you!
Brian Bromberg

Filed Under: Gary Meek, Upcoming Events

Pierce Ranch Vineyards last night

May 29, 2017 by gm831 Leave a Comment

Well the gig last night at Pierce Ranch Vineyards was all it could be! Record crowd,
Wonderful response to the music, the band played great. It doesn’t need to get much better than that for me as a band leader and composer. I’m so happy playing with this group. More to follow!

Filed Under: Gary Meek

Don’t be Idomatically challenged

May 24, 2017 by gm831 Leave a Comment

Someone, I think it was Dizzy, said you should only do this if you absolutely have to. Talking about playing jazz for a living. I agree it’s a tough road to hoe. I’ve been lucky enough to have extended periods of my life when I was able to make a living playing only jazz, but if one wanted to have any kind of home life in LA, the Jazz only rule didn’t suffice. At least for me. I missed the golden age of house bands and staff orchestras. I couldn’t make a living wage staying home unless I was willing to do everything. I also honestly wasn’t as good as the guys who were in town doing it at the time. I didn’t have the experience or the skill set necessary to compete. So I took whatever came my way, played keys a lot. There was more work for mediocre keyboard players then mediocre sax players. In my off time I practiced and jammed and listened a lot to the people who were doing what I wanted to do. I don’t regret that period of time at all. I spent a whole year doing nothing but blues gigs on keys and sax. Learning what not to play. Learning that you must study the idiom if you want to fit in. There are so many idiomatic inflections and linear ideas we develop as horn players. If we try to fit the jazz ones into the straight blues, or rock, idiom, it doesn’t fit. If you are smart enough you can bring all the knowledge of all the idioms you’ve studied, for me: jazz, classical, rock, funk, fusion, rhythm and blues, Brazilian jazz and its various grooves, et al. , and bring them into all the idioms you may be asked to play in without disrespecting the idiom. (A good rock player can spot a jazz purist a mile away). Michael Brecker was this kind of player. I’ve always endeavored to be as well. I’ve always found it a fun and interesting challenge. Now I’m getting older, and mostly back into jazz, but can still hang. I’m glad of that.
Thanks,

GM

Filed Under: Music Lessons

Noise

May 21, 2017 by gm831 Leave a Comment

Noise:
The world is full of all kinds of noise. Not just the kind you can hear. Fear, Anxiety, Anger, all create psychological, or spiritual if you will, noise. I Remember talking to Dave Weckl in the van one day after he had given a clinic/master class, and he said something that really stuck with me. He said “most beginning drummers make a lot of noise. One of the first things I try to teach them is to not make any sound that is not music”. He said a lot of them don’t make it past the first fill. Saxophone players do the same thing only our noise is less obvious as to what it is. Advanced musicians of any kind playing jazz especially can have the same issue. In my opinion and experience, the mind causes a lot of noise. One little mistake and off to the races! Nervousness, insecurities, judgement, of self or what someone else may or may not be thinking. It’s crazy! The listener may not know what it is but he or she can definitely feel it! When we had Dave’s acoustic band with Tom Kennedy, Makoto Ozone, and Myself, there was only joy, humor, excitement, honesty. We were all happy for each other being there. It was a noise free environment. The only comments I ever got were about how much fun that must be. I want that now. Whenever and whoever I play with. Not easy. But oh so worth it!

Filed Under: Music Lessons

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