Performances that changed your mindset

[PigLord]

Hello everyone,

This topic is supposed to be about a performance of music, by any instrument, that changed your mindset on a topic. I'll start with my experience. I was browsing youtube when I found a recording of Maxim Mikhaylov (a wonderful bass singer) singing a wonderful song. As I sing in the bass voice, this blew my mind with what a bass singer could accomplish and how beautiful they could sound. It gave me much more enthusiam with learning how to sing for muscial enhancement. So, what performances have all of you heard that have changed your mindset?

[JTJ]

Hearing this as a college freshman. For a while I was experimenting with modal improvisation on baritone (we called them that in those days).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEC8nqT6Rrk

[Snorlax]

My experiences involve a member of the band JTJ refers to above--Bill Evans.

Being from NYC, I got to hear him with bass and drums numerous times at the Village Vanguard or Town Hall or Top of the Gate, and heard him once at a small club in Bloomington, Indiana. Every time I saw him, it was a transcendental experience. I saw him with bassist Eddie Gomez for the most part, and Marty Morell or Eliot Zigmund on drums.

Again referencing JTJ above, the Kind of Blue album was as much Bill Evans's doing as it was Miles Davis's doing, according to many sources. But when it's that great, who cares who did what?!?

I also heard the Dave Brubeck quartet on a night where Paul Desmond was ON. Every solo was a melodic tour-de force...chorus after chorus of pure melody. As much live jazz as I have heard, that one sticks with me.

[JTJ]

I loved Bill Evans' playing. He had a style which was instantly recognizable. And his ability to create wonderful, fresh improvisations was breathtaking. There's a fair amount to be found on youtube. Here's one example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH3GSrCmzC8

[highpitch]

My 'moment' was going to all the trouble of driving 200 miles to audition for Arizona All-State band back in '67, and failing to make the grade.

I came home bummed-out high school sophomore. I hit the mouthpiece just about every day, bought a good horn of my own, and made first chair the next year and again after that.

A music degree in college followed, then life and the pursuit of a regular income had me put the horn away for 30+ years.

Back in the saddle again, and loving every moment of it!

Dennis

[Gatetrek]

My band director in Junior High took us to a local jazz festival every year. One time her son, a senior high school trumpet player at the time, did an incredible performance of Amazing Grace. Of course, the same kid made the California All State Honor Band as a freshman a few years before, so he was already a darn good musician. But that performance inspired me to do something in music professionally. Later, it changed from playing professionally to teaching - inspired by that same band director. It was definitely that performance that got me hooked on delving further into music in the first place, though.

[tampaworth]

Back in 1976 in High School Maynard Ferguson and his band came to our school. A former New York all-state trumpet player, for me it was hugely inspiring. All I can say is I was extremely fortunate to see him back in the day. Chameleon -- MacArthur Park -- WOW. I still have his autographed picture from that night!

[DaTweeka]

A few weeks ago, I heard my first live euph solo performance; I was at UGA and the first chair played played Mvmt. 3 of the Cosma Concerto. And while I was listening, I was thinking "wow... that's pretty cool... I wonder if I can do that... Wait, of course I can do that, and I'll be damned if I don't some day." It kinda pushed me from "I'd like to make this a career" to "I will make this my career"

[ghmerrill]

I admire your enthusiasm. I encourage it.

Pursue the dream. But make sure what dream you're intending to pursue. And try to be realistic about the path to the goal. Without a realistic outlook, you run a high risk of getting discouraged and giving up the dream -- and then feeling bad about that. That's something you want to avoid.

I guess the most inspiring performance I saw was when I was about 16. It was a solo recital by Sigurd Rascher, then the premier "concert saxophonist" in the world and teaching at Eastman. At the time I was taking lessons from a student of his.

I never aspired to a career in music (or at least I never aspired to this for more than about fifteen minutes). But I too thought "I could get there -- with enough time and effort."