November 2012
Dear Friends,
We've survived a $2 billion
election cycle and two major storms (counting the nor'easter for those of us here
in the, er, nor'east). I know some of our readers have just now had electricity
restored to their homes. Despite all these events, this Fall has been one of the
most exhilarating seasons of my career. My recent string of high profile performances
was effectively wrapped up for the time being by my appearance with the USAF Airmen
of Note in D.C. late last month. However, the momentum continues, and big developments
for mid-late 2013 are taking shape. No need to wait for instant gratification,
though --- scroll down for a trove of links to new live videos and photos I just
posted of some of this Fall's activities. I'm also pleased to announce my selection
as Artist of the Month on a New York state Jazz radio show. Pictured above
is a moment from my guest appearance my Sonagi Project on 10/19.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
– WICB 91.7FM Jazz Radio. I've been selected as artist of the month at WICB
at Ithaca College. This will involve airplay of both music (already playing) and
a phone interview (air date TBA). The Mulberry Street album has already been
in rotation, and I haven't been given a schedule for future plays. Feel free to
give it a try -- the particular show is called “Jazz Impressions” and
runs weekdays from 12-1pm at www.wicb.org or at 91.7FM in Western NY.
OTHER UPCOMING DEVELOPMENTS
(Date TBD): Performance by Airmen of Note.
Premiere of my commissioned composition as part of Sammy Nestico award. Washington,
D.C. Most likely Summer 2013. Details forthcoming. Meanwhile, I'll be happily
hard at work composing for this top-notch band.
(Date TBD): Lecture/performance.
To culminate my composer residency at Flushing Town Hall, administered by Exploring
the Metropolis, I'll present a lecture/performance that is still taking shape. This
will occur in most likely Spring or Summer 2013. Details will develop pending grant
applications among other factors. Speaking of this residency, I have logged
a number of hours there now, either on the piri, trombone, or meditating.
It's hard to stay off my piano-crutch, but so far I've still resisted.
NEW LIVE VIDEOS:
Nanaori: Project Hansori with Soh Daiko at Locating the Sacred
Festival 9-16-12. Our epic closing piece that I arranged just for this occasion,
combining the potent forces of both ensembles, against all voices of reason: http://youtu.be/ObsvEJWZMS0
Yuudachi: Jeff Fairbanks
with Soh Daiko at Locating the Sacred Festival 9-16-12. A shortened piece that
serves as a collaboration between the taiko ensemble and myself on trombone: http://youtu.be/pc5lzSfhalc
Cho Hon: Jeff
Fairbanks as guest soloist with Sonagi Project at Flushing Town Hall 10-19-12.
My favorite of this collaboration, this piece leaves plenty of room for solo trombone
(and duo with vocal) expression: http://youtu.be/zWgtidRbKj8
Nine Beat:
Jeff Fairbanks as guest soloist with Sonagi Project at Flushing Town Hall 10-19-12.
Fun with rhythm: http://youtu.be/JQtlJqUL54c
Janggu Samba:
Jeff Fairbanks as guest soloist with Sonagi Project at Flushing Town Hall 10-19-12.
The upbeat, encore number: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azZF5jJjOBM
FOLLOW-UPS:
Sonagi Project
(10/19, 10/21). I wrote at length last month about how much I enjoyed
collaborating with Chang JaeHyo and his Korean percussion ensemble Sonagi Project.
Their month-long tour of the Northeastern US included several stops at Flushing
Town Hall, coinciding with my composer residency there. Performing with them was
a thrill, not just because of the level of collective music making, but also the
freedom and spontaneity Sonagi Project allows. For instance, we used no sheet
music, and all my melodies were improvised. I joined them at Town Hall 10/19 and
also the well-known Brooklyn music spot Barbes on 10/21.
Korean Culture
Forum, 10/17. Flushing Town Hall. I was honored to speak on this panel
about Korean music and its possibilities for the future, along with some heavy-weight
arts leaders like Robert Baron of NY State Council on the Arts, and Rachel Cooper
of the Asia Society, among others. An unlikely (absent) star of the evening was
Gangnam Style performer Psy, whom moderator Kim Hae Joo explained has given a breakthrough
for exporting Korean culture to the world via his much-watched video and song.
Airmen of Note,
10/26. Pun alert (I couldn't help it): It was a real highlight to barnstorm
Washington, D.C. for several days, working with the Air Force's premier Jazz band
(that branch's top guns). At the concert I was presented with the Sammy Nestico
Award, a proud moment in my career; a real lift. Then, with myself in the cockpit,
we took off with Mulberry Street part II,
the piece they had chosen for the award. Dogfights between brass and reeds were
executed with an almost laser-guided precision, with rhythm section ready in the
wings. During his solo the lead alto really turned on the afterburner, with the
pianist pulling chords left and right, the bass diving through his range, the guitarist
just flying, and the drummer dropping bombs in all the appropriate places. I tell
you, the heat-seeking audience needed look no further. After the show a squadron of us strafed a local joint to cool our jets.
It was fun to hang with these (tom)cats as well as L.A. trombonist Andy
Martin, who was the featured guest soloist that night. Looking forward to my commission,
I'm ready to aim high and shoot for the sky!
Thanks for reading,
Jeff Fairbanks
www.fairbanksmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/jefffairbanks
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