Is this "Off target"

[Eric Bolvin]

Hi;
I submitted to this listing:

CONTEMPORARY "BRAT-PACK STYLE" JAZZ SONGS and/or INSTRUMENTALS a la Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Tommy Dorsey, etc., needed IMMEDIATELY by a TOP HOLLYWOOD MUSIC SUPERVISOR for a MAJOR NETWORK TELEVISION DRAMA. Small combos or big band ensembles are OK. Quoting the Music Supervisor here: "The songs should have a HIP, COOL STYLE with a RETRO VIBE" that feels like Vegas baby! Tracks should have SWINGING MELODIES and BIG CHORUS HOOKS. If sending in songs with vocals, a CLEVER/WITTY lyrical twist will help add to the "hip factor." Broadcast Quality is needed

And was returned for Stylistically Off Target by #332.
The song is Frankie & Dino on my Taxi page.
Just wondering how "off" I am here.

Thanks!!~

Eb

[mazz]

Eric,

Cool Tune! Reminds me of a minor key version of Bags' Groove.

This is a tough call, it's hard to tell from the listing if they really want "jazz" songs as in the classic AABA form, which your piece is, or if they actually want "verse chorus" songs as in contemporary pop music done in a jazz style. Because your piece, given that it is AABA, doesn't really have that many places with big chorus hooks, due to the nature of the form, really. The listing specifically said big chorus hooks, so maybe they really do mean a chorus in the contemporary sense and not in the old school sense where the chorus is usually the AABA section that's the most known part of the song and the verse is almost like an intro.

It also seems to me that they wanted even more focus on melody than even you have here. Your piece sounds to me like a "head" tune, not necessarily a "song" tune. I know it's kind of splitting hairs and of course, complete speculation on my part, but your melody is more like those Basie tunes that were swinging but were designed as jumping off points for the great soloists he always had.

I think this is a very cool piece and would work well in many situations so I would keep pitching it for the right jazz listings.

You win some and lose some too in this business it seems. Gotta keep swinging anyway, because you'll hit one every once in a while!!

Cheers!

Mazz

[jakito]

Great track Eric!

I am not very good at "Vegas style" but this sounds like an authentic contemporary big band piece to me! Love the details with the lovely phrased flute lines, the percussion and the sax solo.

Some of the parts make me associate with genres that probably are not "Vegas" - please take this with a grain of salt since other people may hear it completely differently:

In isolation, the beginning of the A section with the saxes playing parallel chords over a minor chord, intertwined with muted trumpet riffs, reminds me of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue and might be considered sligthly off-style.

Also, there are elements now and then that sound slightly Henry Mancini-ish - I cannot pinpoint exactly what triggers that association with me - maybe it is the vibraphone.

These elements actually sound great to me but may have caused the "off target".

So that's my 5 cent - very subjective and not really substantiated but hope it helps anyway Eric

[Eric Bolvin]

Thanks folks! I appreciate your time and talent.

Eb

[sabino]

Hi Eric!

I'm not an expert on your music genre but I'm a fan of that kind of sound. I really loved your songs. I'm a fan of Chris Botti and it's great to find more artists at that level like you.

Regarding "Frankie & Dino", it seems Right On Target to me. But like I said.... I'm not an expert...

Best wishes,

Sergio Sabino
www.taxi.com/sabino