Randy Klein Blog

Flambé Dreams at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF)!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:58:00 -0500

I am thrilled to have our original musical, Flambé Dreams (book & lyrics by Matthew Hardy, music by Randy Klein) included in the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) selections for the 2012 Next Link Project!

Photo

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:45:23 -0500

Simons Fellowship – Week #6

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:24:00 -0500

I said this before, this is the dream gig. I have an office that has light and is completely silent. I have the access to a beautiful Steinway B along with the help of my friends and staff at the Hall Center for the Humanities if I need anything. I get more quality music work done here than anywhere else. The environment is set up for thinking and creativity. So, I am trying to make the most of it while I’m here.

I did a redraft of the song ‘Crazy’ from Flambé Dreams. I worked with Matthew Hardy over SKYPE and I feel that the song now is more in the character of the energy of the moment in the show. I also continued to work on a number of smaller works as well. And, I got a chance to play a bit. Just play!!!!

On Wednesday morning I went to the University of Kansas’ student-run radio station KJHK. Thanks to Devin Wright for inviting me to talk on his show Jazz in the Morning. Devin asked really provocative questions about music and the music business. It was early morning fun!

Photos: Randy Klein and Devin Wright on KJHK

I conducted two lectures, one at the business of music department and another in the theatre department. Both were well received and I am learning from the students. The business of music class is open to the entire school for enrollment, which meant that there were students whose majors are from other disciplines. I found it very interesting to have a student, who is majoring in neuro-science, as well as journalism major who wants to be an entertainment publicist and then a music therapy major who wants to start a business all in the same room. Fascinating questions and class!

In the theatre class, the subject was on music preparation for singers, but it turned into a lecture about what a pianist requires from a vocalist to really do his or her job well. I wanted the vocalists in the room to learn that they are responsible for their work and not the pianist alone. That if they take some responsibility toward the preparation of the music, their unique voice will then emerge. I told the story of the singer I played for once who dropped the 4th beat of measures and of the singer whose music looked like a bad roadmap. I discussed that the best compliment a vocalist could ever get is when they are called a good musician. I was honest and the stories about my playing for many vocalists came from experiences that were completely based in truth. This was a fun class to talk to. I was invited back again next week to review their midterm performances.

Teaching is something that I do well. This experience at the University of Kansas has reassured me of this. You know that I will be looking for more students to share my musical knowledge base with.

The best part is I learn so much from them.

Oh…on Sunday, I went to Kansas City. Not for barbecue, not to watch the Royals, not to hear the blues, but to go to a women’s Roller Derby match between the Vicious Vixens and the Black Mustangs. Flat track, with a standing room only crowd. I remember Roller Derby from when I was a kid and it was on Channel 11 in NYC in black and white. It was sexy and rough. It still is sexy and rough, but athletic as well. The women on these teams are serious and into the support, they all skate well and can dish it out. My friend Samantha is on the Vicious Vixens. She won the best blocker award for the match. Roller Derby rocks!!!!

More to come….RK

I Was A Cub Scout

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:55:17 -0500

When I was a very young boy, I was a Cub Scout. The reason I mention this now, is because my friend from Lawrence, Kansas, Cindy Lynn is a den mother for her 11 year old boy’s Club Scout pack. When she mentioned this, I was reminded that one, I was a Cub Scout once and I still had the shirt with the badges attached stored away with a bunch of other mementoes from my childhood. I remembered that I liked being a Cub Scout, I remembered the fun. My Dad and I made a car that I entered into the soap box derby and I also remembered that I earned one of my awarded merit badges for learning about electricity. Yes, it is true; I learned how to rewire lamps when I was a Cub Scout. Oddly, I have used that skill numerous times throughout my life. Just understanding that you always shut off the power before you work on electrical wiring is one major rule that I remember. Very helpful!!! I remembered my dear father who was there with me through this time and I remembered him as a young man. The point is, I hadn’t thought much about my childhood in recent years and although I was remembering the wiring of lamps and the soap box derby experiences and my Dad, it reminded me of a time of innocence and wonder that I guess had slipped a lost place in my mind. I wonder if that Cub Scout Shirt still fits. Oh, yeah!!!!

Simons Fellowship – Week #5

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:50:00 -0500

This has been a jam packed week. I arrived Monday night at the University of Kansas to begin the second part of my Simons Fellowship at the Hall Center for the Humanities. I hit the ground running on Tuesday morning when I presented ‘It’s About The Music/It’s About The Business of Music’ to freshman and sophomore music majors. Then I went to a rehearsal of a big band directed by Professor Dan Gailey of the Jazz Department. Of course, I worked till the wee hours of the morning on my own writing.

On Wednesday, I conducted a Jazz ensemble through four of my own pieces. The ensemble consisting of three horns, read through the charts and we worked on making them musical. Dynamics was the main principal discussed and worked on. It is a wonderful feeling to teach these young musicians aspects of listening skills. They were playing with dynamics and cooking on the music. Nice!

Thursday morning, I spoke again about the music and the business of music to another freshman/sophomore class. This was a difficult one. The students seemed to be distracted and I really tried everything I could to engage them in some way. I then finally said, ‘How about I just play for you?” I sat at this very well maintained Steinway and played a five or six minute improvisation. I finally connected to them. Music is amazing that way. From that point forward, the students asked questions and were with it. You never know what will work when teaching.

Bob McWilliams from Kansas Public Radio invited me to be a guest on his show ‘Jazz in the Night’ on Thursday night. He played cuts from Two Duos CD ‘Sunday Morning’, tunes from Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS CD ‘Fields Of Moons’ along with some of my favorite recordings that Bob asked me to choose: Sheila Jordan – Falling In Love With Love, Nancy Wilson/ Cannonball Adderley – Save Your Love For Me, Ramsey Lewis – The In Crowd and Oliver Nelson – Stolen Moments. Bob and I had a great time listening and talking about the music. Thanks Bob!

Photos: Randy Klein and Bob McWilliams on Kansas Public Radio

Saturday night was the big event for me. Trombonist, Chris Washburne and saxophonist, Ole Mathisen, happened to be in Nebraska and were willing to make the drive to KU. This allowed us to set up a Two Duos concert at the KU School of Music. The concert was wonderfully received. Chris and Ole both played beautifully. The Two Duos concept was really working and I am most appreciative of the fact that the audience was so wildly enthusiastic. Parts of the concert were videoed. I will have them posted soon.

Photos: Two Duos concert feat. Randy Klein, Chris Washburne and Ole Mathisen at the KU School of Music

I am appreciating this period of my life very much. The silence of Lawrence, Kansas, allows me to focus and keep my rather hectic life in order. Aaah!
How about a shoutout for Complete Silence!!!
More to come …RK

Grammy Panel at the JEN Conference 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:21:00 -0500

First let me say thank you to the Jazz Education Network (JEN) for staying the course with the NARAS controversy for speaking out about the elimination of multiple categories from the Grammys. It took extreme courage to include this panel in the conference.

I was asked to sit on the Grammy panel by Willard Jenkins and was honored to be in the company of Willard, Bobby Sanabria and Mark Levine. Bobby and Mark have put their musical lives on the line to protest this travesty. I have spoken out some, but truly, in comparison, they have taken the lead.

Photo: Panel discussion ‘Update on the Grammy category elimination controversy - Jazz next?’ feat. Williard Jenkins, Mark Levine, Bobby Sanabria, Randy Klein at The JEN Conference 2012

I have watched Bobby Sanabria and Mark Levine fight the Grammy fight for the last half a year or more, giving their time and energy to upholding the principal behind this issue. In April 2011, at the New York NARAS meeting, I sadly had to hear the great Latin Jazz musician, Eddie Palmieri beg Neil Portnow, president of NARAS, to reinstate the category which he fought so hard to create. It was even sadder, because in his explanation to Mr. Palmieri, Neil Portnow, in his answer and trying to impress Mr. Palmieri, expressed that he was a bass player once. A true musician would never be behind the eradication of music in any way. I don’t know many who would want to be on the same bandstand such a musician.

Bobby Sanabria has had the courage to call the decision by NARAS really what it is. He called it ‘racism of the highest order’. The esteemed pianist, Mark Levine has had the courage of his convictions to give back his well earned nominations and resigned from NARAS. I have posted blogs and signed the growing petition along with the others who believe that NARAS has acted inappropriately, but again, this is small in comparison to what Bobby and Mark have done.

Some points that were mentioned: There is a law suit against NARAS by musicians whose livelihoods have been affected by the decision. It is ongoing. There is a protest being scheduled to boycott the Grammys and CBS for airing the telecast. (Learn more on Grammy Watch website)

What has become very apparent to me is how the recording labels and their artists who were originally outraged by the NARAS’ deletion of the genres accept Grammy nominations as if nothing dastardly has happened. I have been told by some of those label executives that they are fighting the fight from within, yet it is very strange to me how silent their voices grew when nominations for their artists came in. Some may call it an ethical dilemma; I call it weakness of conviction. It amazes me how many musicians and groups that represent the other genres deleted from the Grammys simply faded away and have not continued to stand up for what is a despicable, disgraceful and downright shameful act. I have personally heard from some musicians who play with these Grammy nominated artists say that they have to take the gig. I understand this from the bottom of my musical heart and I sympathize with the musicians’ point of view. If I don’t take the gig, I can’t pay the rent. Surprise, money talks!

NARAS has done significant harm to the world of improvised music, Zydeco, Hawaiian, Gospel, Blues, Latin Jazz and Jazz. By deleting the categories, they are signaling to a vast audience that these categories simply don’t exist anymore. I see it this way, ‘If it isn’t there to be seen, then it isn’t there.’ So, I ask, who really suffers here. Yes, the smaller labels loose sales, the musicians who play the music lose potential audience base, but the big sin is that NARAS has stolen the right to hear this music from OUR CHILDREN. They have stolen the right to know and embrace these musical styles. The younger generation will simply have no reference of it. It won’t even appear on the lower third of the TV screen that someone one in the category ‘earlier in the evening’ was honored with an award for their musical contributions to the field. This is disgraceful, shameful and a sin. Music of the world has suffered due to this inane decision by NARAS. What is more insulting is that NARAS is continually spewing out the message that they are providing music education through their organization, but sadly they are teaching only the music that fits into ever narrowing format. The NARAS world should be expanding musical styles to include all, but it is sadly shrinking the list into nothingness. I am beginning to believe that a future Grammy telecast will soon consist of no more than groups performing with a vocabulary of the primal scream.

I have been in the music business for a long time, I have a pretty decent track record, I love music and it flows through my veins and I know from the bottom of my heart how hard it is to get recognition for the work you do and love. For me, the Grammy always meant a vote from your peers for excellence in your craft. Now, I know for sure it has very little to do with craft at all. I am angered and saddened by this.

Photo: Panel discussion ‘Update on the Grammy category elimination controversy - Jazz next?’ feat. Williard Jenkins, Mark Levine, Bobby Sanabria, Randy Klein at The JEN Conference 2012

The JEN Conference 2012 had the balls to have a panel on this controversial subject. That is because racism has nothing to do with Jazz education. At this JEN Conference, we all had one thing in common, the love of music and the art form Jazz and due the force of the music, the walls of racism disappeared. Music education is alive and well at JEN. I hope to see JEN open up its doors to genres that include more and more music of the world and to embrace more music that expands the form. NARAS’ should be ashamed for preaching that they are music educators. If they were, all genres of music would be included and exalted. NARAS do the right thing! Reinstate the categories and embrace all music, no matter who creates it or where it comes from! Do the right thing!

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In tribute to Black History Month, I have decided to repost the...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:53:00 -0500

In tribute to Black History Month, I have decided to repost the video of the performance of the esteemed Margaret Walker’s poem, Ballad Of The Free that honors African American heroes. The video was recorded at James Madison University, features the JMU chorale, with the very wonderful Aurelia Williams as the featured vocalist.

Sounds I Hate (Part 2)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:45:52 -0500

In May 2011, I posted Sounds I Hate. In my quest for silence, I have assembled Sounds I Hate (Part 2). Please let me know if there are any sounds that you loathe that I could add to the ever growing list. Shhh…. Stay tuned….Randy

Sounds I Hate:

1. the sound of motors that constantly surround me

2. the sound of anyone talking on a cell phone loud enough for everyone else to hear

3. the sound of music blaring from a car window with the bass turned up

4. the sound of backup warning beepers beeping from a truck

5. the sound of popcorn being crunched during a love scene

6. the sound of the NYC subway system PA system

7. the sound of talking during a Jazz solo

8. the sound of dishes clanking at a restaurant

9. the sound of the radio when not tuned in exactly

10. the sound of my brain worrying

Freddie Jacobs – Trumpet and Flugelhorn

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:33:00 -0500

Trumpeter/Flugelhorn player and musician, Fred Jacobs, came up to me at the JEN Conference and handed me a CD. I asked, ‘What is this?’ He smiled and pointed to my name as producer on the CD jacket. The CD he handed me is titled, ‘Jacobs’ Ladder’. It contains four wonderful Jazz tracks featuring: Freddie Jacobs – Trumpet/Flugelhorn, Adam Kolker-Sax/Flute, Chris Washburne-Trombone, Harvie S-Bass, Yoron Israel-Drums, Renato Thoms-Percussion and I produced it. We recorded it in 1999, I can visualize the studio and the session, but never knew what happened to the recording. When I got home from the JEN Conference, I put it on. Old friends emerged from my speakers. Freddie is a highly musical soloist and the band was smokin’. I was happy to reunite with some music that I helped shape.

I suggest you try to get a copy and hear it, contact: fredejazz@aol.com, Freddie Jacobs on Facebook, Jacobs’ Ladder Band on Facebook.

Thanks Freddie for having the faith and for your music!

Feel the beat. R.I.P. Raul Rodriguez

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0500

Legendary New York Disco DJ and Disconet Remixer Raul A. Rodriguez passed away on January 4, 2012.

Raul Rodriquez, Vicky Germaise and I wrote ‘Watch The Closing Doors’ for the group IRT. Raul came into my apartment and set up the TR808 drum machine and said this is the beat. Vicky wrote the lyrics and I played the piano. We recorded it at 39th Street Music studios. The song has been written about in many RAP anthologies. I didn’t know much about the beat. Raul made me hear it. I thank him for that. My song writing instincts and Raul’s street instincts worked together. I know he is looking down on me now and still saying, ‘feel the beat’. Dance in Heaven, Raul. You will be missed!

Tribute to Raul Rodriquez on discomusic.com

Randy Klein at The Jazz Education Network Conference 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:37:00 -0500

After attending the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference 2011 in New Orleans which to me was such a wonderful educational and musical experience, I was not sure if the 2012 Louisville, KY conference could live up to the previous year. But I am happy to report that not only did it live up to it, it surpassed it in many ways. The conference had a stellar lineup of Jazz performances from early in the day to the wee small hours along with a long list of music educators dedicated to the form of teaching about the world of Jazz. The level of the performances and the clinics was very high and hearing some of these young improvisers was simply inspiring. Jazz is alive and a new set of voices is flourishing. Congrats to all on the board of JEN for a job well done!

Photo: Randy Klein with JEN Co-founder/President Dr. Lou Fischer and saxophonist/educator Jamey Aebersold at the President’s Reception

Photo: Randy Klein with Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer and JEN Co-founder/Past President Mary Jo Papich at the President’s Reception

JEN’s mission statement of attracting and teaching new audiences about Jazz is out front and is spoken of in a very direct manner. Starting with the keynote speech by Alan Brown, who discussed his research of selling Jazz based on a survey of 5000 audiences members leaving major Jazz venues. Facsinating information that could be one of the keys to developing and kindling new listeners; the clinic by the infamous percussionist/educator/historian Bobby Sanabria on the influences of Latin Jazz. Again, his love of the form exuded as he spreads the message of teaching about the form. I conducted my clinic, ‘It’s About The Music/It’s About The Business of Music’. The response to it was overwhelmingly good and I felt as if I had shared my knowledge of music and the industry with the students who attended. Loren Schoenberg, from Jazz Museum of Harlem presented a clinic on the discovery of the Savory Collection of recordings. Great stuff that is again filled with the history of the form. Again, the mission of JEN is clear. Attracting and educating new audiences about Jazz. It was an honor to be part of it.

Photos: Randy Klein presenting his clinic ‘It’s All About the Music, It’s All About the Business of Music’ at The Jazz Education Network Conference 2012

And of course there were the performances. A particular performance of note was the US Army Jazz Band featuring Ernie Watts. A disconnect happens when you see a bunch of guys in military dress walk on the stage. You might think you would hear ‘Hail To The Chief’ or ‘The National Emblem March’, but NO…these guys swing and swing hard. The band is super tight, the sections are all playing as one proving that lots of practice and rehearsal works. You can feel the joy of music in every note they play. This is a band that plays 200 nights a year. They could simply ‘phone it in’, but that’s not the case. The dedication to every note is apparent. The great Ernie Watts solos have always been packed with an energy that pushes you back in your seat. In front of the US Army Jazz Band, his energetic solos pushed you back and kept you glued through the end of each piece. Another stellar performance was the recently anointed NEA Jazz Master, Sheila Jordan who performed a set with the University of Mass Jazz Orchestra with strings. This was a love fest! For those of us who have been listening to Sheila since the release of her CD, ‘Portrait Of Sheila’, it was nostalgic and heartwarming. For the new kids experiencing this giant of Jazz, it was the passing of the baton, an example of joy and what Jazz can do to you if you embrace it in your life. Sheila is close to 83 years old and swings like she is 19. Her love of Jazz is a part of her being. Congratulations Sheila!

Photo: Sheila Jordan and Randy Klein

Again, the mission statement of JEN is clear. The politics that surrounded the old IAJE are gone and are not allowed in. I am personally thankful for that. The major labels with deep pockets that influenced IAJE are not present, and I hope they stay away. With the mission of education of the form so clear, their presence could possibly stifle the growth of JEN’s mission statement. That doesn’t mean that this was not a ‘schmoozefest’. There was much activity at the bar with business cards flying over the fine Kentucky bourbon. I met old friends and made new ones. We spoke of Jazz. We spoke of this art form which is alive, kicking and moving forward. It is obvious that that we all love it and embrace it. We each came to loving Jazz in different ways, with different influences, but the core of the experience of hearing, playing and teaching about improvisation and the freedom of expression it holds is strong. Even though we have lost audiences due to government cutbacks in the arts, there is a force here that is emerging slowly but with strength. That force is the Jazz Education Network, JEN. Next year the conference is in Atlanta. I would suggest you book early and bring your kids.

Photo: Randy Klein with Distinguished Professor of Wayne State University/conductor/educator Dennis J. Tini, Associate Dean/Chair of Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz Arts Program Justin DiCioccio and drummer/educator Bobby Sanabria

Photo: Pianist/Composer/Educator/Jazzheads President Randy Klein, Associate Dean/Chair of Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz Arts Program Justin DiCioccio with Sigrid Paana and Ruud van Dijk of Amsterdam School of the Arts

Photo: David Baker autographs the book ‘David Baker - A Legacy In Music’ for Randy Klein at David’s 80th Birthday party at the JEN Conference

Photo: Randy Klein holding his JEN Recognition Certificate for outstanding contribution to the field of jazz education

More photos here

Randy Klein visited legendary music store Viera Discos in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:27:00 -0500

During my recent travels to San Juan, Puerto Rico, I was taken to Viera Discos, the leading music store and CD distributor in Puerto Rico. I was introduced to members of the wonderful Viera family who have kept the music going for so long. Richie, Janet and the legendary Rafael were warm and welcoming. It was really nice to be in the place that sells some of the greatest Latin music out today including Latin Jazz. The store is filled with photos of the great names in Latin American music and the energy is pulsating with the beat of the clave. I hope to visit again soon.

Simons Fellowship – Week #4

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:15:00 -0400

This last week of this period of my fellowship was jam packed. Rehearsals, meetings and a final concert at the Hall Center for the Humanities, plus packing to head back to NYC.

I was very lucky to perform with four very gifted student musicians from the University of Kansas’ music department. Vocalist, Nora Woolpert – Guitarist, Lucas Parker – Violinist, Shan-Ken Chien and Trombonist, Brian Scarborough all are deeply musical. They sang, played and improvised, creating much music and the reaction from the audience was extremely positive. I was very happy for them to have this experience to be so musical. For me, it was personally satisfying to select compositions that I thought would fit their playing styles, then hear it sound good and finally have an audience appreciate the performance. Again, as I said, the Simons Fellowship has been an extraordinary experience and I am extremely grateful to Dr. Victor Bailey and his wonder fully caring staff. I feel really great about all that was accomplished.

Photo: Vocalist, Nora Woolpert; Guitarist, Lucas Parker; Violinist, Shan-Ken Chien; Trombonist, Brian Scarborough; Pianist, Randy Klein.

During this week, I also met with Dan Gailey, the head of the Jazz department at KU about my return to KU sometime in early February. He asked me to teach an ensemble and be a part of the KU Jazz festival. The best news is that my friends/musicians, Chris Washburne, trombone and Ole Mathisen, saxophone, will be in Lincoln, Nebraska during my next visit. They will drive to KU and a concert is now planned for February 11, 2012 as part of the KU artists’ series that will include them and my ‘Two Duos’ project.

Photo: Randy Klein at the Hall Center for the Humanities

I am looking forward to seeing my friends again at the Hall Center and will go back in February. Meanwhile…. I happy to be home in NYC! I was missing the grit and grime! As Dorothy said to Toto, ‘There’s no place like home’!!!

More to come……

Randy

Simons Fellowship – Week #3

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:07:08 -0400

I decided before I came out to KU that I would try to use this opportunity to the max. Having 24 hour access to the Hall Center has allowed me to achieve most of what I set out to do. The Hall Center shuts its doors at 5PM and I have been staying late into the evening. The quiet is supreme and glorious. I have used this time to work on some new music for my new song cycle, ‘Speak’. I have rehearsed with student musicians for my upcoming concert on the 14th of October and even used the concert space as the location to film interviews for the documentary being created about my visit here. What a gig!!!

I rehearsed with four student musicians individually and selected music that fit their playing styles. Great Fun! Their reaction to the music has been positive and I find that very fulfilling. Their enthusiasm is overwhelming. I did notice that, I had to remind each one of them that they were allowed to be musical. They all want the notes to be perfect! Perfect isn’t always musical! It is amazing how much music emerges when musicians allow themselves to be musical.

The crew from the film school assigned to making the document about my visit set up a late night interview session this past Wednesday evening. For me, it is a bit strange to sit in front of a camera and be asked personal questions about myself. They asked the question, ‘What is it like to be able to improvise and create music? I tried to tell them how I had little control of what comes out, yet I do have some control over it. I think, my answer was a bit ‘disjointed’ because it is a very difficult question and more than that very difficult to describe this feeling in words. I’ll have to think on this one for a while. But, the question that stopped me in my tracks was, ‘Do I ever get a vacation from it?’ My answer was, ‘No, you never get a vacation from it, you can allow it to rest, but it is always there and I don’t have much choice about that.’ This interview session made me realize how lucky I am to have the gift of music. It is an enviable place to be. Sitting in front of a camera is not something I’m used to. I guess it takes practice to be able to feel comfortable with lights on you and the camera rolling picking up every movement and twitch you make. Sitting in one place for a long period of time has never been my cup of tea!

On Saturday, I drove over to Kansas City again. This time my destination was the Nelson-Atkins Museum. The museum has a wonderful collection that ranges from classic painting, to a wonderful photography collection, to Rodin sculptures, to Asian Art, to American Indian Art and all displayed and lit in a way that each piece simply captures you. The Nelson-Atkins Museum is a joy to visit.

One more week with lots to do. More to come…

Randy Klein

Simons Fellowship – Week #2

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:17:00 -0400

This week was a busy and productive one. I conducted two recital classes for freshman and sophomore music majors, I met with student musicians who will play with me at an evening concert on October 14, and I have been composing a new composition titled, ‘Moldy Blues’ for my song cycle ‘Speak’. All of this along with meeting and greeting professors, students and enjoying the friendly world of Lawrence, Kansas is keeping me very busy.

Photo: The Hall Center for the Humanities

The recital classes took place at 10AM on Tuesday and Thursday. I have to admit that engaging 19 and 20 year old students at that hour of the morning is a bit of a challenge. A few times, I felt like yelling, ‘Wake UP’! My 50 minute lecture about music and the business of music is based on the simple idea that you should ‘Follow your music, your music will lead the way and be true to your voice’. My talk has anecdotal stories from my eclectic music career along with videos that feature some of my music and of course piano improvisations. I begin each session with: “Who wants to be a musician when they grow up?” All raise their hands, including me!!! I then note that we all have this in common, that we have been given the gift of music and it is our responsibility to protect it. I found that this small common thread engaged the sleepy students and I could feel the energy change in the room. During the Q&A, there was a particular interesting question. A student asked, “When you are composing, what happens when you get stuck?” (Writers block) My answer was, ‘I eat potato chips!’ Quick answer, but all laughed and they got the point that I get up and walk away from the writing and let it breathe. I then told the story of how I was blocked when composing the piece ‘For My People’ from the Margaret Walker Song Cycle. This story which indicated how I had to dig deeper into myself to find the creative spot to make the notes come out engaged all.

I have been rehearsing with two student musicians, vocalist Nora Woolpert and violinist, Shan-Ken Chien. Nora is a very good vocalist, with lots of potential as a character actress. She has very good interpretive skills and is making the songs from my song cycle, ‘Speak’ come alive. The material is difficult and at each rehearsal, the pieces get closer to how I imagined them when they were being written. Very cool! Shan-Ken is an extremely disciplined classical player. Most of my compositions have a Jazz feel. They swing. Our work concentrates on blending the beauty of the sound of his violin with the feel of my playing. The result is beautiful music. It is a very wonderful collaboration and I am having a great time playing with him.

I did take some time off to go to Kansas City to visit the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Baseball League Museum. I recommend them both. They are artistic and filled with detailed information. The Negro Baseball League Museum has a full baseball field with all the players molded from brass. The realism of the display and how you can walk on to the field is interesting and great fun. The Jazz Museum has areas that are dedicated to ‘Ella’ and to ‘Duke’. I spent much time there.

I’ve also been hanging out with my dear friend and documentary film maker, Madison Davis Lacy. He is a professor in the film department at KU. It is great fun to hang with him in the evenings. Not only is he a fine film maker, he is an expert on the fine food and wine emporiums of Lawrence, KS and surrounds!!!!

More to come…..

Randy

Announcement of Simons Fellowship in JazzTimes

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:27:00 -0400

Simons Fellowship – Week #1

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:55:00 -0400

I arrived in Lawrence, Kansas a little less than a week ago. In that time, I have been meeting and greeting the professors of many departments and most of all, listening. I have also been creating. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. The environment of the Hall Center for the Humanities at the University of Kansas is quiet and completely conducive to creative thinking. I have been supplied with a beautiful Steinway B in the Hall Center’s conference/performance space along with an office with big windows/fresh air and an electric piano. Because I am the Simons Fellow, the staff of the Hall Center has worked with me to make everything extremely wonderful and comfortable. This is a dream gig!

This past Tuesday, I was invited to a reception for the esteemed documentary/film maker, historian and producer, Lawrence Rees. Mr. Rees is from the BBC, and his films are mostly about the atrocities of the Germans toward the rest of the world during World War II. He spoke about his interviews with not only survivors of the death camps, but with SS officers and local people who lived through this horrible time. He discussed the ongoing denial of these horrors, the inner pain still felt by so many while indicating that this generation of people is dying off. His documentation of these people is important to the understanding of this part of our world history.

During the reception, I was introduced as the Simons Fellow. I was asked if I would like to play, to improvise. I played a three or four minute improvisation. There was a moment of quiet at the end and then the room exploded with applause. I was thrilled to be able to play for such an esteemed gentleman as Lawrence Rees along with the audience of scholars who were there. And of course, to get good response to my music feels great.

The rest of the time, I’m keeping myself focused. I am working on a new song for my new song cycle ‘Speak’ . It is titled, ‘Moldy Blues’. I’m am also writing parts of a new book on songwriting. There is a planned performance for October 14, 2011 at the Hall Center. More on this later. And… there is a film crew from the KU’s film department following me around. On Thursday evening, we taped the beginning of a documentary on improvisation. I got to play that beautiful Steinway while cameras were rolling. As I said, ‘this is a dream gig’.

Having gone to Berklee College of Music in Boston in the late 60’s, I never experienced the ‘college life’. University of Kansas is an enormous school with a beautiful sprawling campus. You really need a car or bicycle to get around. The school is state-of-the art in all aspects and if a student is really on it, they have an opportunity to take from such a place a great wealth of knowledge. I am happy to experience this world of higher education at this point in my life. I absolutely understand it and appreciate the value of such an opportunity.

Stay tuned! RK

‎Randy Klein interviewed by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:29:00 -0400

Full text of the interview:

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) - September 21, 2011

Randy Klein Writes His Way, One Genre at a Time

By Ted Drozdowski

Some people are know-it-alls. Randy Klein is a do-it-all — the kind of songwriter/composer whose sheer variety and volume of accomplishments could fill a résumé that would consume a redwood forest of paper.

Klein’s latest musical theater work Flambé Dreams recently enjoyed a sold-out debut run in New York City. But the story of his career as a songwriter begins in 1977, when the Berklee College of Music grad was playing keyboards for raunchy r&b diva Millie Jackson. One afternoon he slipped her a cassette of a tune he’d penned called “Feelin’ Like a Woman.” The song landed on her gold album Feelin’ Bitchy.

“Once I started writing it became a monkey on my back and I couldn’t stop,” Klein says from his office in New York City. “I have over 1,000 copyrights now. I’ve learned that the many genres I’ve written in — it’s like having a command of different dialects in a language.”

The tongues he’s mastered include r&b, soul, pop, rock, jazz, musical theater and modern classical composition. And along the way he’s scored films, earned two gold records and four Emmys, recorded over 10 albums, produced more than a dozen other artists and become president of his own record label Jazzheads that - contrary to his disciplined approach to songwriting – embraces improvised music… at which, of course, he also excels.

Klein’s other recent accomplishments include the premiere of his work-in-progress Lineage — The Margaret Walker Song Cycle, based on the Civil Rights poetry of the African-American author and composed for a 52-voice chorus. Part of the Cycle debuted on April 11, 2011, at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Then there’s Sunday Morning, the first album in Klein’s “Two Duos” series on Jazzheads, featuring duets by the pianist with trombonist Chris Washburne and saxist Oleg Kireyev. Two more discs are due this spring. And Flambé Dreams, a comedy about a young man’s ambition to become a great maitre d’ like his father, who was killed in a bananas foster accident, remains on his front burner.

Klein has a deep passion for musical theater, instilled by trips he made with his pianist mother from their home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, to Broadway from 1960 to 1967 to see classic productions like Fiddler On the Roof and Hello, Dolly!

“In 1982, when I was asked to join BMI’s Lehman Engle Musical Theater Workshop here in New York, the first musical we analyzed was ‘Fiddler,’ ” says Klein, “and I knew every word!

“The workshop is the best environment I know to learn to write songs. That room has some of the best songwriters around, and you learn by getting feedback. Writing a song for musical theater is much more difficult than writing a pop song. A theater song has to move the action from ‘A’ to ‘B’; a pop song can be stagnant. All you have to do is repeat the chorus and if the hook is powerful enough it will attract the listener’s ear. You need to be careful not to make your pop songs sound theatrical, which theater writers tend to do. But if you can write a good theater song, you can write a pop song pretty easily because you’ve learned about perfect rhymes and craftsmanship.”

Enjoy this unique performance of Randy’s tune...

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:42:00 -0400

Enjoy this unique performance of Randy’s tune ‘Exalted Kingdom’ by the Alex Skolnick Trio, featuring Alex Skolnick on guitar, Matt Zebroski on drums, Nathan Peck on bass with Randy Klein sitting in on piano at the Iridium Jazz Club! ‘Exalted Kingdom’ will be featured on the upcoming CD ‘Inner Voice’ with Boris Kozlov and Alex Skolnick witch is a part of Two Duos series on Jazzheads!

Concert with Alex Skolnick Trio at the Iridium

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:34:00 -0400

Thanks to Alex Skolnick, Matt Zebroski and Nathan Peck for the great time at the Iridium Jazz Club! It was a great fun sitting in with the Alex Skolnick Trio! Hope to do it again!

More photos from Iridium, NYC - Aug 25, 2011