Jazz and Classical music, music composition and arranging, music technology.
Music
Anything performed well with a great amount of skill and a positive message. I don't like "angry" or overly agressive music, or any music which glorifies the negative things in life, such as materialism, insincerity, arrogance or hate.
Movies
The Remains of the Day, Much Ado About Nothing, To Kill A Mockingbird, Shadowlands, anything directed by Hitchcock.
Television
Not much worth mentioning here, although I do enjoy old movie channels and PBS.
Books
Novels by John Fowles, works by C.S. Lewis.
Heroes
Bill Evans (Jazz pianist), Gil Evans (Jazz arranger / composer), Chick Corea (Jazz pianist / composer), Duke Ellington (pianist / arranger / composer), Billy Strayhorn (arranger / composer)
About me: From 1998 to 2005, I was on faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where I directed the UAB Jazz Ensemble and taught courses in Music Technology, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz History. I am currently Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (www.jazzhall.com). I am also Director of the "Fun With Jazz" Educational Series, which was originated through the the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts, and is now offered through the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. I play jazz and classical music, teach, sing and produce recordings for a living. I also direct the Magic City Jazz Orchestra (See the following webpages: www.myspace.com/magiccityjazzorchestra and www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=14280.
I love old movies, good food, good music of any kind, and sincere, honest people...
I have produced recordings for: Choral Composer/Arranger K. Lee Scott (www.kleescott.com/), Jazz Trumpeter Lew Soloff (www.lewsoloff.com), Jazz Saxophonist Lou Marini (www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=2659), Jazz Pianist Ellis Marsalis (www.ellismarsalis.com/) and Jazz Guitarist Eric Essix (www.ericessix.com/).
I can be contacted at (cellular phone) 205-960-6328 or by email at rreach@bellsouth.net.
For further information, see my bio at ALL ABOUT JAZZ: www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=1874 or at WIKIPEDIA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Reach.
Who I'd like to meet: Chick Corea, Diana Krall, John McLaughlin, and Pat Metheny.
Arthur Beard & Elements of Worship 3rd Anniversary SUNDAY Oct. 12th 2008 5pm. Go to elementsofworship. com for $5 tickets. $10 tickets at the door. We hope to see you there! WATCH OUR ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO BELOW FOR MORE INFO!!
Have you ever been stumped in your creativity? Sir Philip Sidney has the answer in his poem:
Astrophel and Stella: Sonnet 1
1 Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, That she dear she might take some pleasure of my pain, Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know, Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain, I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe: Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertain, Oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburned brain. But words came halting forth, wanting Invention’s stay; Invention, Nature’s child, fled stepdame study’s blows; And others’ feet still seemed but strangers in my way. Thus, great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes, Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite: "Fool," said my Muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write." --(1582)
Hey my brother! Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging comment! I’m truly glad you like my music! I’ll keep you posted on the release of the debut album in 2008 :))
Greetings from a Swiss brother in Nashville,
have a blessed weekend and a merry Christmas,
Vlada
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