April 24

Divergent Directions: Music in the Twentieth Century

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Music in the twentieth century saw composers moving in multiple directions. Some sought to break free from the strictures of harmony and the conventions of previous periods, while others rejected modernist ideologies. Nearly all composers felt the influence of communist and fascist regimes in Europe, either directly through censorship, or through working in opposition. The […]

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April 18

Goa Variations official release

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I’m very pleased to announce that today is the official release of my album, “Goa Variations.” It’s a bit weird to announce a release on a Saturday but given the circumstances, It’s not like anyone has anywhere else to be! This music is my own blend of psychedelic minimalism and I hope you’ll give it […]

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April 15

Independent Music Award Nomination

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I’m very please to share that my trio, the Eddy – Meyer Trio has been nominated for an Independent Music Award, in the category of Best Instrumental Jazz Song of the Year for our recording of “Swing Gitan.” A big thanks to the Independent Music Awards for the recognition! This is a track from our […]

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April 09

Gerry Mulligan Transcription

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Here’s a transcription of a quick, one chorus solo from Gerry Mulligan on his tune “Line for Lyons.” The “Lyons” that the title refers to is Jimmy Lyons, who was the founder of the Monterey Jazz Festival. This recording comes from the album “Gerry Mulligan-Paul Desmond Quartet” (Verve), which was one of the many records […]

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April 06

Recording Hindemith

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As the current coronavirus pandemic has forced us all into isolation, I’ve taken on the challenge of recording both parts of Paul Hindemith’s  Konzertstück für zwei Altsaxophone. I must say that I’m late in coming to Hindemith’s music. To my own detriment, I’ve somewhat consciously avoided his music over the years. Hindemith’s music has always seemed […]

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April 05

Getz Variations — Dexter Morrill

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Recently I’ve been working on a very interesting piece for tenor saxophone and fixed media by Dexter Morrill called “Getz Variations.” The piece was written for Stan Getz in 1984 and features samples of Stan himself playing in the audio track. The score has very little notated lines for the saxophonist to play, and instead […]

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April 02

Goa Variations I

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Those who know me personally know that I have a deep affinity for the music of Terry Riley, particularly his early compositions where he’s playing saxophone and/or keyboards. (Reed Streams, Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band, Shri Camel, Rainbow in Curved Air, Descending Moonshine Dervishes, etc.) Just today I’ve finished the first in a series […]

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March 29

Twentieth Century Nationalism in the Music of Janacek, Britten, Revueltas, and Harrison

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Musical nationalism took rise in the first half of the twentieth century in many regions of the world. Composers as diverse as Leos Janacek, Benjamin Britten, Silvestre Revueltas, and Lou Harrions sought to write music that was distinctly their own. In Central Europe and England, composers looked to move away from the dominant German idiom, […]

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March 11

Lee Konitz Transcription – There Will Never Be Another You

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Lee Konitz b. 1927 (Chicago) Alto saxophonist, Lee Konitz, has had a long and distinguished career as a jazz musician and improviser. He has created a very large and diverse record catalogue, though he is most commonly associated with cool and west coast jazz. Konitz was one of the very few saxophonists to be alive […]

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March 10

Developments in Realism and Expressionism in the Vocal Music of Mussorgsky and Debussy

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Vocal writing at the beginning of the twentieth century saw a shift away from the traditional format of arias and recitatives, with a decreased emphasis on the bel canto style. Though composers found various avenues for their new styles, the overarching trend was toward realism and expressionism. These new styles manifested themselves both musically and […]

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