Composing vs Playing (R3R MAR18)
Welcome back to The Room3 Report: An informal newsletter keeping you up to date on all upcoming performances, music releases, merch drops, and general happenings in the world of Room3.
Here's today's ponderance: The other day when listening to a great live record from Chick Corea, "Forever Yours: The Farewell Performance (Live)," there was a track that captured some of his banter in between songs. In it, he was talking about two of his mentors, Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell, and he described them as composers first and pianists second.
It's a very interesting thing to think about—the difference between composition and technical ability on one's instrument. They are two things that deserve isolated attention. Of course, Monk and Bud were some incredibly virtuosic technical players, but there were plenty of skilled players at, or even above, their technical skill level during their era (maybe not Bud, people who witnessed him play often say nobody could touch him on the piano). The point I think Chick was trying to make by making this distinction, though, is that what really separated those two artists was the impact of their songs. "Round Midnight" by Thelonious Monk is the closest thing to a perfect song I think I've ever heard. It's been covered a gagillion times because all you have to do is play the chords and the melody and the song does all the work for you (for the most part).
Songwriting allows you to create worlds that didn't already exist, and it offers your audience a glimpse into the inner workings of your mind. I think the greatest contribution a musician can make to this world is a good song, and, in my opinion, the impact of a great solo pales in comparison to the impact of a great song.
I, too, like to consider myself a composer first and pianist second. The thrill of writing a song that I feel accurately captures a feeling I was struggling to put into words is something I, again, can't put into words. Maybe I should write a song about it.
-Eli
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
April 16 @ Volsteads (Minneapolis, MN) - Tickets
April 24 @ Atwood Music Hall (Madison, WI) - Tickets
May 9 @ Midwest Music Fest (Winona, MN) - Tickets
May 15 @ Whirlygig (Minneapolis, MN) - FREE
WHAT'S HAPPENING??
Not much happening this week for Room3. Applying for grants, booking out the summer, trying to lock in a mini midwest tour of some kind, and in the shed until the next show rolls around. Thursday, April 16 at Volsteads Emporium in Uptown, Minneapolis. Be there!!
NEW DROPS
Recorded music
Album 2 is on the way. Got 9 of 9 songs written and recording dates blocked off for August. Not even going to try to set a due date just yet, but trust, it's coming and it's gonna be good!
Check out our contribution to the "Melt ICE" compilation album for a tiny little taste of some new R3 music.
Concert footage
We have a backlog of three full concerts that we plan to post footage of soon on Instagram and YouTube. We should be able to get something out this week.
Look up our YouTube channel (@room3collective) to revisit some old live concerts in the meantime.
Merch
New iterations of the classic “Room3” T-shirt will be available at all future shows. Now in Pink and Dark Purple for $30 a pop. “Bill’s Garden” CDs are also available for $10.
WHAT Y'ALL KNOW ABOUT THIS??
One member of the group hand-selects one album and one live concert to highlight, offering insight into its significance (personal or otherwise). All of the artists highlighted in this segment have at least one thing in common: They're innovators. These giants set the standard for what’s possible and what's hip, and they inspired us to keep reaching. We hope they do the same for you.
THIS WEEK'S PICKS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Eli Awada
ALBUM OF THE WEEK: "Live in Paris (1971)" - Ahmad Jamal (1971)
In my opinion, there's no better jazz trio leader than Ahmad Jamal, and this record is a perfect example of how well he executes a performance in this configuration. It's constantly engaging, there's a perfect balance of power and grace, his mastery of harmony, melody, and rhythm are on full display, and his voice is just so well defined.
Out of nowhere about five minutes into the first track, he starts ripping on the Rhodes, and if I'm not mistaken, this is one of the first recordings that captures Ahmad Jamal on an electric instrument. He's got such a beautiful touch, it's fun to hear his playing through that velvety 70s electric tone.
LIVE CONCERT OF THE WEEK: Roland Kirk with McCoy Tyner, Stanley Clarke, & Lenny White
This is just insane. Absolutely STACKED lineup and some mind-blowing playing from Rahsaan Roland Kirk. He's circular breathing playing two saxophones at once. Never seen anything like it in my life.