Collaborating With First Graders!

In the Spring, I worked with 80 kids in the first grade, from Tam Valley Elementary in Mill Valley to write five songs based on character traits that the school promotes.

Here is a page with a rough live recording, lyric pages and sheet music.

http://www.mvschools.org/domain/416

Accordion on Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
Music by the esteemed Peter McConell
Accordion performed by Jerome Rossen
Thanks to IGN, you can kind of hear it here.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iE0FS8cOiA)

Politics 101: Can stalling and answering questions with other questions be a successful strategy for you?

Have you ever stopped to wonder why politicians incorporate the strange practice of asking themselves questions, then answering them? I have. Have you noticed that some of these questions seem rhetorical, but they answer them anyway? Yes, they do. Have you ever stopped to realize that these politicians are saying a lot of words, and they make it seem like they are really trying to answer questions truthfully, but are really just talking, and talking without saying anything at all, and continuing on, and on without end and they might even sound sincere with their device of asking a different question, in order to avoid answering the first question, until you realize you don’t remember what they start answering, or asking in the first place, and you wish you hadn't even asked anything? Sorry, what was the question again?

Composer Says His Music is Key to Obama’s Victory

Mill Valley – Composer Jerome Rossen of Freshmade Music has made the claim that his musical underscore was the key to delivering the crucial swing-state votes to yesterday’s Presidential win for Barack Obama.

 In the video titled “For All”, where supporters share why they support Obama, Rossen’s underscore lends musical support to their message with a rhythmic piano counterpoint and a warm guitar texture. Rossen says “I’m from Ohio, so I really thought that I could help the Obama folks figure out how to deliver the 18-22 year old votes – with my music. What can I say? It worked!”

 To see for yourself, the video is here:

400 Meter Burt Bacharach Medley

Great to watch Ryan Lochte in the 400 Meter medley, but you should hear him sing his 400 Meter Burt Bacharach Medley!

Goodbye Roger Williams

Roger Williams, Pianist Known for Sentimental Songs, Dies at 87

Hear his version of "Autumn Leaves"

What I'm Listening To...

A few records I'm listening to - some new, some old

Steve Earle – I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (2011)
Rootsy, folky songs from this amazing American songwriter, Earle and his music have been featured in TV shows Treme and the Wire, among others.


Andy Palacio & the Garifina Collective – Waitina (2007)
Infectious music from Palacio, a musician from Belize, features wonderful grooves that seems to define Caribbean. It's an intersection of many cultures, especially Cuban and West African.


Faithful - Marcin Wasilewski Trio (2011)
Wonderful trio from Poland featuring pianist Wasilewski, is easily the most reserved and sublime jazz that I’ve ever heard. Wasilewski has a wonderful touch and a great sense of time and melody.