Category: Newsletter

Billy Mintz and I are planning a tour for next October. In addition to some shows where we both play solo and duo, we’ll also be performing as a quartet with the wonderful West Coast mainstays Putter Smith on bass and John Gross on tenor sax. The quartet plays Billy’s always engaging original music.

We’ve already booked several dates, but still have some availability. If you or someone you know would be interested in booking a show, whether solo piano, solo drums, duo, quartet, or some combination thereof, please get in touch.

I was thinking today about why I find Herbie Hancock’s solos so consistently compelling. Of course he swings more consistently than any other pianist alive (of whom I’m aware). But I’m thinking now from a melodic point of view. I think the basic, visceral reaction comes from the fact that Herbie’s solos provide the perfect balance of tension and release. If there is too much tension, it is difficult to remember melody (and for me melody creates an emotional connection). If there is too little tension, you get, well, New Age Music.

Here’s a track containing one of my favorite Herbie solos, One Finger Snap

I’m reviving the bonus mp3 giveaway. Share the link below on FB or Twitter and I’ll send you a bonus track from my latest release, Solo , that didn’t make the CD. Solo is my first solo piano recording. Listen to it and read reviews on my web site.

https://robertajazz.com/downloads-solo