Film Noir / Jazz

[mazz]

Here's my current shot at the Cinematic and Dramatic Jazz Instrumentals a/la Body Heat and Chinatown.Yours truly on muted trumpet via my new Cascade Fat Head ribbon microphone (129.00 on open box special, thank you!). http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/FAT_HEAD ... 7.htmlI'll probably try to do a new trumpet take that doesn't push Autotune as hard as this one does (no chops left! ) but I have to stop now to get the studio/guest room ready for in-laws coming in tonight for Thanksgiving.It was a dark night in the city that never sleeps.................. Happy Thanksgiving!Mazzhttp://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_id=76650&stream=1

[crs7string]

Mazz,Very film noirish. (I'm not sure that's a word) Did you scare Winston with the Harmon mute? My harmonica playing scares the daylights out of my Border Collie. The only thing I was waiting for is the bass player to walk a line on the second A section. I think that would give a little subtle motion and momentum to get to the B section. It would also give a little release to the pedal point feel of the first A section. I could also hear some piano fills responding to the string lines in the B section (as great a piano player you are)I will post my entry tomorrow. (as usual one of us will be forwarded and one returned!)Chuck

[trentoliphant]

Nice job on the trumpet (I'm a cellist myself - although I haven't played for a looong time) and as usual great orchestration.I probably would have preferred the bass and piano to be out a little more and have the strings further back in the mix, but what do I know Trent

[squidlips]

Mazz! Suweet! I'm with chuck on those lil things like the bass line and a little more interaction of the keys vs strings but overall, it did it for me in a way that I shouldn't discuss on the board.

[squidlips]

Chuck, that's really nifty.......you've got lots of nice touches in there (the sax was especially lovely). Very film noir...uh.....ish? I can see you both gettin' forwarded for this. Let us know.

[dgolding]

Great stuff you two. Mazz, top notch as usual.I missed the boat on this one, I was hoping to finish this one to throw in, but there's not enough time. http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... tream=true

[bombaycharlie1]

Hey Everybody,First of all Happy Thanksgiving.Below I;m posting an old tracjk from an Independent Film that I scored a while ago...I just didn't have time to re-visit it and update it before the deadline. I'm a little embarrassed to even be submitting this, but I've learned that you never really know exactly what they're looking for...who knows, maybe my sparse instrumentation and pedestrian snare drumming ( soup stirring)are just what they're in the mood for New Contemplation:http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... ream=1Good luck to everybody,Charlie

[matto]

Some great stuff here guys.Mazz, I agree the strings should come down, and also breathe more to sound even more realistic, sound wise they're great. Chuck's suggestion about walking bass in the second a section is good too. And the drums could come up a bit.Otherwise the piece is great!Chuck yours is great, the strings are a bit too pad like for my taste. The sax figure was a bit repetitive. Mood is excellent.David, too bad you weren't able to finish this one, I really like it. It gets maybe a bit busy in places, but I think if cleaned up a bit this would've been a contender.Bob, I wasn't crazy about the into on yours, it sounded a bit synth-ish, and that drummachine loop could be a deal breaker if they're looking for more old fashined stuff. It gets a lot better once the sax melody kicks in. I think in general the strings are quite synthy sounding. Some of the piano licks stuck out too much for me. Compositionally this is great and fits the target, it's only a sound/arrangement issue.Charlie, I don't know what the heck you're embarrassed about, this is *very* nice. The Flugel is great. It's simple but sets a killer mood. Great variety of quality material here, no wonder these companies love Taxi . Best of luck to all of you!

[paults]

That sounds great! Somewhere, Bogie is smiling

[montster]

Wow!! Loved it.I have many questions and comments for you, Mazz, relating to the production and performances on this track. As a jazz pianist and composer/arranger, this piece is very interesting to me. It's also refreshing to know there are folks in the community who can put stuff like this out there.Firstly, the trumpet out front is great, a-la Miles. Very inviting and elegant against the setting with the cool piano and the strings. The production of the backing tracks are what I'm interested to ask about: How much is MIDI/keybord sounds and patches? The piano sounds very real and clear as do the bass, drum and string tracks. Are you performing the piano as live audio mic'ing the piano and using MIDI for the other supporting instruments?Are you bringing other instrumentalist for lay live tracks anywhere?I'm very inexperienced with the MIDI environment and am curious to find out how much I'm missing out on with my lack of production knowledge. How much does using MIDI enhance overall production quality? There is a difference in "live" and "keyboard" sounds and much of the results are in the understanding of production in either element. I have been under a "lazy" assumption, for lack of a better word, that Live is always better than electronic for the organic feel of jazz composing. (I'm beginning to realize my thinking is really off base and I'd better get hip and with the times! )I have some compositions also produced recently, yet much more on the straight ahead sort of thing than Mazz's art work in discussion. check 'em out, Mazz, if you get a chance.http://www.myspace.com/earthtoneproductionsongsClick on the Wonderful Way buttons: the first is a three horn arrangement with piano, bass and drums, the second is a piano trio version of the same tune.Just as comparison, these tracks were all done live.Comments from anyone regarding the Wonderful Way stuff are welcome. I'm certainly interested to continue dialog and discussion on the Jazz Scene here on Taxi forums, maybe I'll start another thread relating to all things jazz.Keep it up Mazz, the quality of your work is inspiring!!Monty