Jazz Music and Independent Production

Jazz icon Chick Corea finds inspiration in Hubbard's works

Chick is getting great reviews for his latest album, inspired by a Sci Fi novel by L. Ron Hubbard

Here's the review in the Washington Post

"Don't let the music scare you," keyboardist Chick Corea said at the 9:30 club Wednesday night after promising to send everyone into outer space. Truth is, there was reason for concern, at least for listeners who take a dim view of concerts based on concept albums.

Corea recently reunited his Elektric Band and recorded "To the Stars," a fusion jazz-space odyssey of sorts inspired by the early fiction writing of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. A Scientologist himself, Corea devoted most of Wednesday's performance to this multifaceted suite, tracing its curious trajectory through what sometimes seemed like atmospheric layers of jazz, rock, funk, Cuban, Spanish and African music.

Much of the music was vibrantly colored and orchestrated by Corea on synthesizer, electric keyboards and piano, and riddled with shifts in tempo, harmony and meter. A Fender Rhodes keyboard generated plenty of retro thrust, evoking the halcyon, Miles Davis era of fusion jazz. Drummer Dave Weckl and bassist Ric Fierabracci (subbing for John Patitucci) underscored the mood with hammered funk beats and percolating grooves. Electric guitarist Frank Gambale took full advantage of the many opportunities to improvise, creating dazzling runs and intricate designs, while saxophonist Eric Marienthal countered with keening, alto-powered choruses.

Still, the most intriguing pieces weren't the most animated or busy. Instead, they featured Corea playing piano, balancing lyricism with dissonance, or Gambale on acoustic guitar, illuminating the flamenco-tinged ballad "Alan Corday." Some familiar tunes, including Jimmy Heath's "C.T.A." and Corea's "Got a Match?" triggered a free-spirited finale.

The state of the civilization is important to me, and the future of our civilization is dependent on the state of education. L. Ron Hubbard developed a technology of study called study tech, which is in use in many parts of the planet and has proven the most successful technology in the field of education. I love seeing positive results! It makes me feel good to know that our kids will have education methodologies superior to those we had while growing up -- if all schools adopt study tech. If you want this future too, support the non-profit organization working to make it a reality: Applied Scholastics.

Well, it's been a bit since I wrote anything. During the time from my first post, I've concentrated on fully clarifying my purposes for being a musician and then have moved forward with actual organizational principles which have lead me to increased production.

That may sound a bit complicated, but here's the deal; I've found that if my own purposes aren't really clarified in my own mind and if I don't feel completely good about my goals, I tend to drift and not get much done.

Why would one drift? Sometimes the well meaning, or not so well meaning critiques of others about the purpose, it's worthwhileness or prospects of success can cause an artist to sort of carry on a menal arguement with oneself. This ends up in no accomplishment of the goal.

I've found that there is an excellent tool to help one sort this out. It's called an Administrative Scale, or "Admin Scale" for short. It helps one sort out what he wants to do and then gives a game plan to accomplish it.

I started an admin scale recently, and Voila! I started to get some gigs.

I'll let you know more of how things go as I progress!

Jazz muscians have not typically been the best paid artists on the planet.

We tend to love what we do so much that we end up playing for low rates at clubs where you can really "burn", or we end up playing music we hate for good money.

My quest is to get paid well for playing music I like. I'm working now to accomplish this. I'll be updating my journey as I go.