Greetings from sunny California, although today is starting out a bit foggy, smoggy, or whatever it is. Generally this burns off by mid-day. We are settling into our new habitat, and things are going well. Finding our way around L.A., checking out the jazz hangs, and trying to work our way into the community.

My duties at USC include directing the TJO, or first student big band; teaching arranging/composition; coaching a class called Jazz Elements, which deals with theoretical elements of jazz in a practical and playing capacity; and doing a series of masterclass on playing, writing, doubling, music business, etc. It has been inspiring to be working with the same students on a regular basis, to get to know their work and watch their progress. I’m beginning to feel like I can make a difference at this music program, and look forward to becoming more involved.

It has been quite interesting and challenging to go through some of the basics of improvisation and composition again in developing the curriculum for the courses I’m teaching. I think it has given me the opportunity to re-evaluate some of the things I’m doing, and to make some additions and hopefully improvements. We’re talking a lot about implementing a compositional approach to soloing, and what the ingredients are in forming a cohesive, compelling story in one’s solo. It has been a gas to go back and re-visit some of the classic solos that the students are transcribing, particularly some of the early Miles Davis solos. Everyone is doing lots of writing, which is a great way to put the microscope to your musical thinkingand playing.

The TJO (big band) rehearsals have been an interesting journey as well. We are dealing with phrasing, blend, dynamics, groove, and all the detail involved in making an ensemble speak clearly, with flair and style. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunities playing in the big bands around New York, and for having done studio session with some of the best players on the planet. The band has a fairly busy schedule this year, playing on and off campus, with a few paying gigs thrown in. The program this year should afford the students ample opportunity to get a taste of the real world of professional ensemble playing.

I’ve implemented my new piano book into the elements curriculum, as I feel that having piano skills is so integral in being able to formulate interesting lines in your solos with good notes and a good sense of melody. The cats seem to be getting a lot out of the book. We all need to play some piano!

What else, what else!? (the response when you buy a coffee and bagel in a deli in New York City). Lets see … the new big band cd, Swing Out, hit the streets a few weeks ago. I think it is one of the better recordings the band has done, both sonically and musically. We recorded at MCG in Pittsburgh at the end of a 10 day run of gigs. Definitely the way to make a recording! Setting up some concerts for the band now for next year.

I don’t usually venture into the world of politics here in this column, but I feel that the subject needs to be addressed right now with the coming election and all that it entails. I hope and pray that the citizens of the United States look carefully at all the implications of their choice for President and Vice President, and consider how that choice will affect the country’s overall health. Right now it feels like the U.S. is on life support! Services are being cut, people are losing their homes, we are stuck in a war that was ill-planned, has no end in sight, and doesn’t really address the problems at hand. Major banks are failing due to questionable business practices that were ALLOWED TO HAPPEN as a result of lack of legislation on the part of our current government, and the same people want the Social Security system to be privatized. Say what? What the hell are people going to invest in? Bad idea! Many countries in the world have a social safety net that provides for their citizens, not based on speculative and questionable investments, but rather on a solid and regulated system that insures that services will be provided. The U.S. is essentially broke! Everyone is up to their ears in debt. Many foreign entities own that debt. This was allowed to happen! I hold our government responsible. Seems to me like we would want to be practicing diplomacy with other major powers of the world at this point in time for any number of reasons. But that is not what has been happening the last 8 years. If a musician behaved this way on the gig he would be fired and branded a troublemaker who does not join the team, and would not work ever again.

I urge all who read this column to do your homework and be sure you know the whole story on the candidates that are running for office. Otherwise we will have more of the same, and I don’t think that will bode well for our children, or for the planet in general.