To learn more about me and my history playing the trumpet and learning jazz, please start with the following links: About this site // Five-year anniversary // My playing history - the beginning // My playing history - the blowout // My playing history - the comeback // My introduction to jazz // Recommended recordings // Equipment information
Archived "About Me" blog entries are listed in the left-hand column.
When I started my trumpet playing comeback, I spent a fair amount of time looking for guidance on the Web. Along the way, I visited several websites and jazz blogs by professional jazz trumpet teachers and musicians. While I enjoyed reading these websites and blogs, they typically lacked information about HOW the people became great musicians... and that just happened to be something I wanted to know!
I did find a few exceptions, however, by both beginners and professionals. Their willingness to share their journey through ups and downs, inspired and motivated me to do the same.
I want to be clear: I'm not an expert. I don't think I'm a great jazz trumpet player, nor do I ever expect to become one. I'm simply learning as I go; playing for pure enjoyment. I built this jazz blog with the single hope that my experiences, both good and bad, will offer some encouragement or advice that will ultimately aid you in your own musical journey.
Oh, and my name is Rick...
I named my jazz blog after the George Gershwin tune "I Was Doing All Right." I first heard this tune about 15 years ago, on Dexter Gordon's album "Doin' Allright." The laid-back feel of the recording and the confidence exhibited by the musicians have inspired me ever since. Of course, the name also fits in well with my role as a comeback player :-)
To make things a little easier for my repeat visitors, I've also registered the domain name rickjazz.com. It's easier to remember than iwasdoingallright.com and it will get you here just the same (rickjazz.com does a redirect).
This jazz blog was built mostly during the last week of December 2003. All code is ASP.NET, with a SQL Server data source . This is the first complete website I've built with ASP.NET (and hopefully my last!). Well, actually, not all of the code is ASP.NET. My ear training tool is a Java applet. In addition to the public pages that you see, I built an administration tool that I use for entering all of my jazz blog entries.
This is also the first site I've built that uses CSS instead of tables for layout. It was a total pain in the @ss getting everything to line up nicely in all of the major browsers, but after a few compromises, I managed to get things looking pretty good. And what do you know, the site is also XHTML, CSS, and RSS compliant.
Nope, I'm not a professional jazz trumpet player (I know... big surprise!). Rather, I work as a web developer and software engineer for an IVR company. I mostly build Java-based tools for our voice application developers. The bulk of my work can be found at evolution.voxeo.com.
Hey man, I just read that you're a web developer. That explains why your site is so solid. Nice.
I chose Blogger to host my main site, and have been developing forums and blogs to help improve upon the online jazz community. Sax is one focus, but jazz is the bottom line.
If you find the time to check out my blog, please tell me what you like/dislike, as I hope to improve it based on feedback from visitors.
Thanks!
Cameron
Hey, I've been playing for a while now, (about 20 years) and your site totally blew me away. I think it's a great idea and I admire you for having the guts to let people see into your practice room. I don't even like to practice with my wife in the house. Awesome Site, you sound great.
-Jarrett
Your site is well-designed and people's comments very helpful. Besides the usual things like scales, arpeggios, and long tones, I practice Lester Young and Billie Holiday tunes: This Year's Kisses; Mean to Me, Foolin Myself, etc. -- also some of the "easier" be-bop tunes. Some day I'll get better. Thanks for being so brave: playing trumpet is tough!
Excellent site. I started fresh at age 31 and have been playing steady for last three years. I really appreciate your taking the time to put this together. I relate to it all, man. Love of the music, the horn, so on. Kudos.
I find this side,and want to thank you,that you wrote here so many things about jazz :)))
It`s something special feeling, when somebody try to find something diffrent, and suddenly drop in that side by chance,and stay here already.
Greetings from jazzy Cracow by trumpet player in skirt ;)
Your site is an inspiration to me in my trumpet playing, and my web development. I can't decide now if I should go practice, or get my site finished.
Hi Rick,
From my e-mail address, I'm sure you realize that I'm a jazz junkie. I'm also a photographer and I've photographed hundreds of jazz musicians, including Randy Brecker. A friend of mine (another jazz junkie) turned me on to your site. I must tell you what an outstanding website you've created I read with great interest your journey back to playing. I see your fire, passion and commitment and admire it so much. In some ways, I can relate to your situation. My photography is my passion and if I had to make a living at it, I would hate it! I make enough to pay my expenses, (sometimes). I also enjoyed your review of the master class that Randy Brecker gave. I'm surprised that we haven't met. I've been involved with jazz since 1976 and know all of the local musicians. Of course, I admit I don't go out as much as I used to. The only jazz club with any continuity is Churchill Grounds, and I haven't been there since Russell Malone sat in on a jam session on a Tues. nite with Danny Harper and friends. Actually the last time was when Vincent Herring played there. So it's been awhile. Perhaps your site can enlighten me on any clubs that feature jazz on a regular basis, as well as upcoming events. I like the Schwartz Center at Emory, Spivey Hall and the Ferst Center to see live jazz too.
Congratulations on your website. Even though I'm not a musician, I certainly can relate to many of the things you have written.
All the Best, Susan Rosmarin
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