Tuesday, February 3, 2009

It's been awhile...more gigs

So yes, it has been awhile.

Sub gig
The gig I mentioned earlier for subbing is 'The Robber Bridegroom' which will be running at the Theater Building Chicago from Feb 13th through March 29th. I will be subbing in on the Sunday matinees from Feb 22nd through the end of the run. I'm also filing in on 1-2 other nights. I will be playing my New Standard Cleveland for this show. It's blue grass...I don't know if I'm going to be amped/mic'd or not. I'm not worried. It's a pretty small space and my bass is loud. The instrumentation is 2 fiddles, banjo, guitar, and bass. No drums [sadly]...I think the sound of the band would take on a whole new dimension if that had someone playing snare w/brushes or rods. The only parts of this show that are striking me as 'odd'....the band will be costumed & on stage. I'm a sub. The guy I'm subbing for is a lanky/thin guy. I am no where near thin. Sizable beer belly is a good way to look at it. I'm hoping a plaid shirt & jeans will suffice. The stage part-isn't a big deal to me. I've played in this space before. There is no other place for the band to be, but on stage.

Zombie Prom
I was contacted by Daniel Singer to play for a Jr. High Production. Ok, get the laughs out of the way. This show is fun. The bass books has a lot of freedom and the book as is, is a blast to play. However, the freedom is great so that I can modify the parts to be more 'like me'. I'm not sure who the original player was or how much of the book was written out. There's about 3 fills that happen a ton. I like them, but eh-I've changed them a bit. The kids are great. When I was learning the book, I thought 'are middle school kids really going to pull this off?' I've gotten my answer. Yes they can...it's like the Obama slogan all over again. I live in Chicago and am in the liberalish community-that slogan comes up in a variety of capacities quite often.

The show is out in Glencoe, IL. There's a Metra station about 10mins from the theater/auditorium-so that's how I get out there. Danny brings me home when it's an evening deal and I take Metra home when it's an afternoon deal.

Gear on Zombie Prom
Yes, I am trying to keep the gear part of the blog consistent. Sometimes, I fail. As you all can tell, this concerns me oh so greatly.

When I listened to the 'Zombie Prom' album, I was happy. The bass tone is typical modern theatre bass. More than likely it was recorded on a 'jazz bass on steriods'. Sadowsky, Alleva-Copolla, Lakland w/an active pre, etc. Probably an active bass strung with round wound strings. This is a good thing for me as I have a bass that gets that sound in spades. Surprise!! Yes, I am playing my StingRay5 w/rounds on this show. I'm using the classic smiley EQ on this...on my onboard preamp I have it setup like this: treb slightly boosted, mids flat, bass slightly boosted. I am using the bridge coil w/the dummy coil. I need to have my electronics looked at as this is the only position that is humbucking for me....not good.

Amp-the tried and trusty, SWR WM12. I'm not going direct so I am able to turn it up a bit more. Great sound, reliable, and was easy to take on the train.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Closed!
My recap of GPB at Circle Theatre in Forest Park. It was a blast to play. The run was pretty long [November to Jan 31st]. The arrangements that Allison Kane did were beyond amazing. I did 'Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend' at a show case from a piano vocal book...the arrangement was horrible. Allison's version? Wow. I was fine with playing that 3 times a week for a few months. Heck, A lead sheet of it would have the possibility of making it into my Slam set. The other band people were great. I can see myself calling them for work. The actors were extremely nice and appreciative. The theatre staff/tech people were nice . All in a all, a fun time.

I'm Cam, this is my Tie, and we're Cam's Tie.
Yes, I'm still leading a trio backing the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill. Marc Smith (So What) likes the group. I've got Diana Lawrence on piano and Scott Hirtenstein on drums. I couldn't ask for better people to spend a few hours with. They're both amazing musicians and I am lucky that they have room in their schedule to jam with me. I've been playing 2-3 times a month since October when I subbed in with the Weird Sisters. I owe Bonnie Shadrake and the Weird Sisters& Stranger Brothers a huge thank you for landing this gig for me. Not only was it blast subbing in with you guys, I've never felt more comfortable on a stage than for the Poetry Slam.

The next dates Cam's Tie is backing the Slam at the Green Mill: Feb 15th, March 15th, March 29th. If you come to the Slam and read this, be sure to say hi. I'm the guy with the tie, big bass, and when I'm not on stage....in the back by the exit with a beer in my hand. Yeah, even though I love playing for a packed house, once I'm off the stage the crowd freaks me out a bit when it's uber packed. Hence, near the exit [where it's less crowded] and with a beer [makes the crowd seem easier to be around]. As always, there is a $6 cover and the Green Mill is 21+ only. Preshow music by Cam's Tie starts at approx 6:45PM, Open Mic at 7PM, The Featured Guests at 8PM, and the World's Least Competitive Slam at 9PM. We wrap up around 10PM.

Sorta ties into Cam's Tie...Slam Related
I was asked to back Marc Smith (so what) for a presentation on Uptown & The Slam a few weeks ago. I forget the exact date...it was a Monday afternoon the day after my trio played. That was a lot of fun. It was an information session for some teachers from Loyala Academy...I think they were all working on their Masters Degree. They seemed nice. Marc did some poetry, I backed him up, and life was good. It was a bit weird being at the Green Mill when it was light out...and I think around 1PM.

Next post will include 'Evita' with Theo Ubique, 'Zombie Prom' wrap up, a potential new music toy.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Long time no post

Hello,

I've got 3mins to type this before I need to leave for work.

I've lined up more gigs!

Pending an unforeseen surprise, I'll be playing "Zombie Prom" at Glencoe Jr High School w/Danny Singer [music director for Damn Yankees]. This is in addition to the other gigs.

I've also agreed to sub every Sunday from Feb 15th through March 29th for a buddy of mine in a blue grass theater show. Should be fun. He said I can use his bass, so unless if I absolutely hate how it feels-I won't even need to bring my own.

The Slams are going well. I'm looking to get a live recording done during one of our February dates.

Well-I must depart for work. I'll post more information later this week.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Debuted an original tune at the Slam

So, tonight was an extra special night for me. One of the things I like about leading a group is that I decide on the tunes. Tonight, was a debut of an original tune of mine. The working title is 'Choking Hazard'. The chord progression is extremely simple, but the tune itself I've been messing with for a few years. About a month ago, I had this itch to write it out. I'm glad that I did.

Tonight, we debuted it. The response was great. The tune isn't a typical Green Mill song-instead of being Bop or Free Jazz orientated, it borrows elements from Minimalist music & musical theater. The reaction from Marc Smith [Slam Founder/host] was strong enough that he came up on stage and looked at the lead sheet we were playing. Pretty hip? Sooooo-I'm going to record this and see if I can get a copy of the recording of tonight's Slam.

The song is based around a pedal point in the piano right hand of F C. This stays static until I switch it to E C. The most 'dense' it gets is adding a D to those chords. The bass tones are: D C Bb and F. I'm thinking of the chords as Dmin7, Csus4, Bb9 [no7], F [triad], Bb9#11, C9 [no 5th]. There's probably a more accurate harmonic actualization/spelling, but eh. That's even a bit complicated to what I think.

The reaction was great. I gave Marc my copy of the lead sheet. It was a ceremonial jesture more than anything-I'm going to print another one off for me.

all the best.

Monday, November 24, 2008

More Slam Dates + GPB has OPENED!!

Greetings everyone.

Cam's Tie Trio
We've got a few more dates scheduled for the Slam! We'll be playing December 7th & 28th. On the 7th, I'll be coming immediately from 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'. We're staying in the rotation of house bands for the Slam. I'm stoked. This gig is where I can stretch my legs and flex different muscles.

Specifically, since the music is 'free' and based off of interaction with the poets, this is a different skill set. I love it. Notes don't matter, all that really matters is helping convey the message and feeling of the poems. Pretty hip eh?

The different muscles-I am leading this trio. That is extremely different for me. I'm most accustomed to blending into the wood work while playing and well-blending into the wood work even more off stage. So, I'm actually leading vs. just following. It's a nice change, but I like it. Thus far, we've done an arrangement I did of 'Come Together' by the Beatles. I am working on an arrangement of a song I wrote. The working title of the song is 'Choking Hazard'.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes has Opened!
Ok, GPB has opened!! Our opening night was November 19th. I'm excited to see where this show will go. Thus far, we've earned a Jeff Recommendation. We're running Friday thru Sunday till February 1st. Friday & Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM.

Update about the Parade. Care of a recording session, the band is not required/needed for the parade!! This is a relief to me. The idea of taking a bass outside in less than 40 degree weather is even less appealing than just being outside in less than 40 degree weather.

More Gigs
I've signed on to do 2 more theater shows.

The first one starts the first week of March and will run from March 9th to April 19th 2009. Another Friday-Sunday gig. However, Sundays will be at 7PMish, so I can't do the Slam during that time period. I'm doing 'Evita' with Theo Ubique in Rogers Park. This is a different format than the other shows I've done, it's a cabaret setup in a smaller venue.

I'm stoked-I'm working with Ryan Brewster for this show, the location is great, and the people are supposed to be amazing. I mention the Ryan Brewster comment because he is who I did 'My Fair Lady', 'Damn Yankees', and he plays in my trio. Definately a guy that I enjoy working with. The biggest change with 'Evita' compared to the rest of the shows I've done is that it's an electric bass gig. Yeah-I'll go from playing my New Standard Cleveland to more than likely my StingRay5. It shall be a blast. I love playing the Cleveland, but I know that the Ray5 would love to come out to play more.

More on the location, if you know me, you know that I also live in Rogers Park. The commute time for this show will be 10-15minutes each way max. That makes me so excited. My commute time for 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' is just under 2 hours each way. No offense to those guys, but having a 10minute commute sounds amazing. I'll be able to just walk to the venue. For a CTA reference, if I was to take the train to the theater, I'd be walking to the other end of the platform without boarding the train. That's how close it is to where I live.

The second show is also with Ryan Brewster. We're doing 'Sunday in the Park with George' with Big Noise Theatre Company. The show is running April 24th to May 17th, 2009. This will dovetail extremely tightly with 'Evita'. I think tech week will be the week immediately following the closign of 'Evita'. I believe the performances are in Des Plaines while the rehearsals are in Winnetka.

all the best.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Week 2 of Slam Band + GPB Tech

Hey everybody,


The Green Mill and the Uptown Poetry Slam
This will be week 2 of leading the house band for the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill. The name of the band is 'Cam's Tie Trio'. Show up to the Slam to learn what it means. This week, we're debuting an arrangement I did of The Beatles 'Come Together'. I'm excited for others to hear it. It's the first arrangement I've had performed.

Sunday 6:45PM we start with some preshow music, 7PM the Open Mic, 8PM Featured Guests, 9PM THE SLAM! $6 cover, 21+. Hosted by Poetry Slam Founder Marc Smith (SO WHAT!). We're confirmed to play Nov 9th and Nov 16th. I'm hoping that Marc extends us and that GPB is less than 2.5hrs long so that I can keep this gig.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at Circle Theatre in Forest Park
We start tech week on Monday. I'm excited. I worked with the Music Director, Allison Kane, on a Monday Nights New Voices event. This will be our first show together and I'm stoked. I love meeting and working with new people-especially when they work differently than those that I am familiar with. From our talks, I will be reading chord charts for this show!! This makes me happy as I can walk my own lines vs. reading the written ones and then rewriting them. We're also performing in one of the Thanksgiving Parades that will be broadcast on WGN. Pretty hip to me.

all the best.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Damn Yankees Closes, 2 new gigs begin

Hello everyone,

Damn Yankees has it's final performance this Saturday November 1st at 7PM. 2 for 1 tickets are available through the box office. This production has been a blast. I thank the cast and crew for the time they've put in.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starts rehearsals a week later, Nov 8th is our tentative sitzprobe rehearsal. It shall be fun. From what the music director has said, I'll be reading chord charts for the show-so I get to make up my own walking lines. GPB is running at the Cirlce Theatre in Forest Park.

New Gig House Band for the Uptown Poetry Slam at The Green Mill

Thanks to Bonnie Shadrake for letting me sub in with The Weird Sisters, I have landed a gig leading the House Band for The Slam! I'm stoked. We're confirmed to play Nov 2nd, 9th, and 16th. The fun starts around 6:45PM with some preshow music, the open mic at 7PM, and the Slam itself at 8PM. The cover is only $6! The Green Mill is located just off of the Lawrence Red Line stop.

I've got Ryan Brewster playing piano and Scott Hirtenstein playing drums. Ryan is the band director/pianist for 'Damn Yankees' and Scott is the drummer for The Weird Sisters. This will be my debut as a band leader. Pending an uber long 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and Marc's decision, this will become a regular Sunday night gig.

Gear for all the above-I'm playing my New Standard Cleveland. I just added a bib from David Gage. No more shiny shirts!

all the best.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Mid October

Hello everyone.

Damn Yankees

'Damn Yankees' has 6-7 shows left and felt like it was time for a follow up.

The show has been a blast to play. The people are a lot of fun to work with, and there's have been several great reviews.

One of the things that playing this show has confirmed to me is that I love playing for longer show runs. This is the longest I've done yet at 32 shows. Learning the music, showing up to play the show, and then leaving. I'm hoping that this show leads to more work.

Gear wise-the only thing that has changed since the start of the show is that I bought a bib for my bass. Wil Di Sola of New Standard Basses recommended that I buy a bib for the instrument back when I emailed him about a finish scratch...well, sometime later I started realizing that the shiny spot on my shirt is from that. Also, the idea of protecting the part that comes in contact with me was great. I found one that I liked at David Gage's site. It's black and has a pocket. It cost right about $50 with tax.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
I'm starting to prepare for 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' at the Circle Theatre in Forest Park. I bought a recording [the OBC album reissue] and am listening to it heavily. I've found that the better I know the songs, the easier it is to read the music. The big thing that listening to the recordings does is let me know what feel to give the songs. As a bassist, I play a ton of root/fifth two beat lines, but how they help define the song is how it feels. The notes may be the same but the groove can be entirely different. This show goes into previews November 14th and runs Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM until February 1st. There are no shows December 26th-28th. We're also going to be appearing in the Thanksgiving Parade.

Gearwise-it'll also be another all DB show. Same stuff as 'Damn Yankees'.

Beyond
The CD of The SmallTown Heroes came out!! I played on 3 tracks. It's a great CD, Dallas, Bethany and Brian are some really nice people. Easy to work with, very professional.

I'm in talks to do a few more shows after 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'. Nothing is confirmed, but if things go well, I'll be doing shows from Late Feb thru May [and hopefully longer than that]. A goal of mine is to play shows year round while working part time.

The more long term goal is to play shows full time and NOT work part time. Ideally, it'd be here in Chicago, but I would like to go to New York within 5 years to work.

I've got quite a bit of student loan debt, so I can't make the switch to full time music until I have a long running well paying gig [8 shows a week/Union-Equity show or a national tour/Union-Equity].

Well, I need to do some homework.

all the best.