Matthew Wengerd's Weblog

At the Brecker Concert this Monday, I had the pleasure of conversing with two friends about the nature of blogs.

Saxophonist|composer Rich Van Voorst is returning to USF for his second Masters’ this Autumn. Rich is the reason I am attending USF this year (another story for another occasion). He doesn’t blog and isn’t really all that interested in the blogosphere. The conversation turned towards the inevitable: What is a blog exactly? Well, for me, it’s an interactive diary. I put my thoughts out there for the world to agree or disagree with. To improve, dissent, and generally respond to. It’s a view for potential employers and clients into my life (well, then, it’s definitely self-censored, right?). It’s also a way for me to organize my history. I can go back and work through the blog for inspiration for my CV|Resume (When was that gig with Tenor Sax Giant X? (Ha!)).

For my friend, Philip Booth, who I am glad to see blogging regularly again, the stakes may be a bit higher. Philip is a freelance journalist who works as Media Relations Coordinator for the University. Because he is a journalist, his standards are rightfully higher. While I am content to tell you about what I ate for breakfast and slip in a few typos and mis-quotes, Philip’s journalistic orientation means a more carefully crafted (and often more substantive) post.

The beauty (and the pitfall) of blogging is that Philip, Rich, and I are all able to speak. For the casual reader, credibility may be determined by the blogger with the most user-friendly interface instead of the one with the best credentials. In cases like Jason Heath, you get both. In cases like mine, well, you decide.

Trumpeter Randy Brecker got on a plane for Reno this morning after having spent the weekend in Central Florida, performing with Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge. He flew in from Zurich Saturday morning for the culminate of the USF Center for Jazz Composition’s Jazz Masterworks Series. This program, a tribute to Michael Brecker, had been planned with the hope that Michael would attend and perhaps participate in the music. Little did we know at that hopeful time, when Michael’s health seemed to be improving, that he would not be with us.

In conjunction with this concert was the 1st International Jazz Arranging Competition (IJAC), where competitors in the open and Young Artist categories were asked to arrange Michael Brecker original compositions for Big Band. After Michael’s passing, the Center went to the only person it could really imagine filling the guest artist spot on this tribute, Michael’s brother Randy. Randy very graciously squeezed us into his schedule for performances in St. Petersburg, Winter Park, and Tampa as well as a Masterclass on the campus of USF.

The performances were extremely poingant, highlighting all original arrangements, save the Gil Goldstein arrangement of “Strap Hangin’” from Some Skunk Funk. Other arrangements were provided by CJC directors Chuck Owen and Dave Stamps as well as IJAC winners Fred Stride and David Peoples in addition to Vince Mendoza. The charts were amazing and Randy was in top form. Guest violinist Rob Thomas also contributed excellent solos.

We are very grateful for Randy’s visit and relish the opportunity to work with him.

Jason Heath offered an excellent addition to Drew McManus’ Post-a-Day series for Take a Friend to Orchestra (TAFTO).

Jason makes an excellent point about the effectiveness of conductor rambling in drawing the audience into orchestral programs. I am young and inexperienced enough to still be pretty wide-eyed when a thoughtful, intelligent conductor sheds new (to me) light on a piece I am playing. I often wish he had said that in rehearsals, so I could allow it time to settle in and affect my performance. Seasoned musicians, on the other hand, often find these same-old, same-olds tedious and unnecessary. Jason’s thoughtfulness on the value of these moments is a longview which should be taken by more musicians who value their jobs.

Take a minute to read some of the TAFTO contributions at Drew’s site.

matthewwengerdtrio played its first gig this evening: a 2 hour hit at the Lakeland North Starbucks. I just posted a gigspam on this one. I have to say that I haven’t been this nervous for a gig in a long time. This was the first time I’ve led a band and my compatriots had never met one another before tonight. Things weren’t as loose as they’ve been with either player in the past (under other circumstances), but the people who came really enjoyed it and we had a good time. There was a biker meet right next door that caused quite a ruckus for the first half. I even called a break after only a half hour because I was so nervous (and slightly frazzled)!

I am very disappointed that only one of the jazz students at the University showed up, and he will be playing the gig next week! This was a perfect opportunity for young jazz students to hear free live jazz (only 10-15 minutes from campus!) and they didn’t take advantage. I really hope the student turn-out is better next week.

I’m pretty excited about the idea of matthewwengerdtrio and eager to find more places to play. I learned a lot about doing this kind of thing tonight and am looking forward to next week.

I even made a poster for mwt outings.

If you are in or near the Lakeland, Florida area, come see matthewwengerdtrio play its first outing at the Lakeland North Starbucks. We hit at 7:30 (but come early to get your daily dose) and will play two sets. I’ve been telling my faithful readers about the subbing I’ve been doing in Tampa with the Mars’ trio. Tampa has a stronger market for this sort of thing, so I am very grateful to Stephanie, the manager at the 98 N store, for having the foresight to book live jazz in Lakeland.

Meghan and I had the privilege of eating at downtown Lakeland’s Chop Shop this weekend. The Florida Food blog mentioned this restaurant recently, but it was a sighting followed by a mention in the Lakeland Ledger that piqued my interest in this restaurant. Festooned with tin signs and Biker Bar neon signs, this restaurant is owned by a husband and wife and boasts a tough chopper ambiance.

I had an excellent cheeseburger on Texas Toast and the wife a chicken wrap. The food was excellent and the owner wanted to make sure the burger was cooked to my liking. Like floridafood says, the hours are prohibitive for regular eating, but I’m looking forward to checking this restaurant out again. It’s nice to find something new in Lakeland.

I experienced some sickening damage to my bass last week. To most, this damage may seem inconsequential. It is, as far as I can tell, not structural nor does it affect the sound of my bass, but my musical partner, as it were, is hurt nonetheless.

Rumano took the top off last summer and an area on the upper bout of the table’s treble side seemed as though it may have seen an already troubled area exacerbated by the work. There is a very obvious crack or seam (I can’t be sure) that was fine inside the purfling, but never very stable outside the purfling. I had meant to tack it in better with some hide glue, but never did. The table had seen some compaction on the edge from load-in and -out of my car.

Well, the very corner’s gone now, following the pre-existing line on the vertical and a new break on the horizontal. It had been gone for days before I discovered it. My friends and colleagues assumed I knew it had happened and never mentioned it. I cannot find the missing piece and will have to have it rebuilt. I do not plan on having the top removed for this work.

Rick Desgrange and Ron Annis have been recommended for the work. Ron did my Laborie endpin and I am somewhat familiar with his work. I’m just not sure what to do. I definitely don’t have a ton of money to do this, so we’ll see.

Thoughts and (ahem) well wishes appreciated. Click on the pictures for larger views.

Bendelow Road had our monthly hit at Lakeland Steak and Ale tonight. This was our first outing with new drummer, Ryan Marsh. It was with Ryan that I played the Red Rose Room last Wednesday.

This was a quite successful hit. Our second set was definitely shaky, but we haven’t sounded as tight as we did on several tunes tonight. Victoria deLissovoy sat in on an absolutely wailing rendition of Blue Bossa. Several friends came, including Woody and Tina Detwiler (Woody, of Carousol fame) and Paige Pilkington, a co-worker when I was teaching. Thanks to all of them.


Afterward, Meghan and I met up with Paige and her friends at the Blue Nile, a restaurant in Lakeland. It was nice to see Everton and Keenan with Taabu, an R&B band in town, with whom I am well acquainted.

A fun night, about to be followed by a viewing of Pursuit of Happyness.

My alma mater, Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, has been seeing some press lately in relation to its proposed performing arts center. The property directly to the north of the University has been owned by its affiliated church, the Assemblies of God (for the sake of disclosure, I am an adjunct at this University and my father is a pastor in this denomination), and has been leased to primarily retired pastors and missionaries for as long as I know.

Earlier this week, residents were informed that the property had been sold to the University to make room for a much needed performing arts center and they have 6 months to move. The story has been picked up by the local newspaper here and here and perhaps elsewhere. The residents are very upset and, as the Ledger tells, are considering class action. I truly hope an agreeable solution can be reached.

Got a call last night to be a last-minute sub for Alejandro Arenas for the Mars’ Trio‘s steady at the Westchase Starbucks. I found out today that USF drum instructor, Steve Davis, would be playing drums on this gig. This was quite a big deal for me, as Steve has played with some of the great modern jazz musicians. He’s a member of the Lynne Arriale Trio and, as I’ve been told, is the most represented drummer on the Jamey Aebersold play-alongs.

There were definitely some distractions at this gig, including a very loud near-car-wreck, that rattled me a bit. I felt I represented myself as well as I can at this point. I finally see improvement in my playing, but I also see more to work on than I ever have before. I appreciate Steve’s helpful yet challenging playing. When things weren’t always clear for me, Steve helped clear things up with his playing. The trio is rounded out be sax player Rich Van Voorst (who runs the show). Definitely a musician and friend I’m glad to have met.

Look for more photos and stories from recent gigs shortly.