→Pia-no-jaC← from Osaka, Japan, present a driving fusion of jazz, rock and J-pop on this This piano-cajón duo's sophomore album.
The Big Reveal of Virtual Choir 3.0's Water Night
Yesterday was truly a magical day. After going through a rough morning (Murphy's Law prevailed), I was looking forward to seeing the cheerful faces of my students and the "premiere" of Virtual Choir 3.0. Both were the balm that I needed.
My students had heard about me struggling with my submission for Virtual Choir 3.0 (those pesky trouble spots). How apropos that I watched the premiere with two of my music students via Lincoln Center's live stream.
World Music Exploration - La Oreja de Van Gogh
Thanks again to my Virtual Choir mate Luma Zuri for finding this week's clip of the week. We are exploring the music of La Oreja de Van Gogh (Van Gogh's Ear). This Spanish pop/rock band earned an Ondas Award for Best New Act for their debut "Dile al Sol".
is popular on both sides of the Atlantic.
This is Comets in the Sky (Cometas por al Cielo):
Click on the CD image below to check out more of La Oreja de Van Gogh's music:
World Music Exploation - Spanish Jazz-Fussion
I had to call for assistance for this week's selections. Special thanks to Luma Zuri, one of my friends from
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3.0, for introducing us to the music of Bebo Valdes and Diego El Cigala.
Bebo Valdes is a Grammy winning Afro-Cuban pianist, composer and arranger.
Diego El Cigala is a Grammy-nominated cantaor (flamenco singer). Their music is a fussion of jazz and flamenco. Listen carefully to the rhythm section (piano, drums and bass).
Their grooves combine flamenco and Afro-Cuban rhythms. The harmonies are typical of music both flamenco and jazz (love those "blues" intervals). The piano and drum licks? Pure jazz.
This is "Lagrimas Negros" ("Black Tears"), which is one of Luma's faves. I just love that piano intro.
I don't know about you, but thanks to Luma, I need to add Valdes and El Cigala's music to my music collection. You can explore more of Bebo Valdes music here:
(c) 2012 by Musespeak(TM), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.
World Music Exploration - Fandango by Antonio Soler
The first time I heard the music of Soler was at the Honens International Piano Competition. The sonata reminded me a bit of Domenico Scarlatti's music.Years later, I learned his Sonata in c# minor, which was a lot of fun:
This week, I'm introducing Padre Antonio Soler to my students.