Author Archive: mmelinger
Growing Up Artistically
I just finished reading Weird City: A Sense of Place and Creative Resistance in Austin, Texas by Joshua Long (University of Texas Press, 2010). Found it a somewhat thin but nonetheless engaging account of recent chapters in the ongoing culture war that makes living in Austin a unique experience. Not a ‘weird’ one, as some …
James Polk, Living Legend
One of the best things about working the AJW project is that it has given me the opportunity over the years to work with some tremendously talented people. And in the jazz world, one mark of great stature is not only an individual’s performing skill, but also how he or she supports their fellow musicians …
Sounds Great! Could You Turn It Down?
No. Or more accurately, of course we can turn it down. But why do you want us to? We’re barely above a conversational level now. Why do people hire professional musicians and then put asinine restrictions on their ability to perform their job well? I don’t get it. You’re paying top dollar for this. Don’t …
How To Do What We Do
From time to time, an email arrives in my inbox from a jazz group in another part of the country interested in starting a school program such as the AJW in their area, and asking for advice. Like this one: “I would really appreciate any advice that you have about starting a program that focuses …
Notes on Practicing Flute under the Annie Street Bridge
That’s where I was this morning. I love playing outside. Even in a Texas summer, where the mercury climbs sky-high after 8:00 a.m. and the humidity can choke an iguana, outdoors is the place to be. One of my big problems in music school was going into those stuffy little practice rooms and trying to …
Ron Westray: Man or Machine?
It’s a fair question. Ron Westray is one of those rare individuals who breezes into town for a while, assumes the throne of Jazz Royalty, and then leaves for greener pastures when the “Live Music Capital of the World” reveals itself to be…well, something other than that. Ron is an amazing trombonist, and we were …
AN OPEN LOVE LETTER TO MADY KAYE
That’s right. This broad has it all. Lest you have any doubts, I can dispel them instantly. Just click on the AJW Featured Track to the right. Go ahead and do it now, I’ll wait. dum da dum dum dum deedle dee… Did you do it? Good! Now you’re listening to Mady Kaye singing Cole …
DA GONG IN ACTION
One of my favorite seasons in recent memory (because recent memory is all I have left) was the Rahsaan Roland Kirk season, presented in 2008-09. Partly this was due to the incredible talent we had lined up, including Ron Westray on trombone (more on him to come) and Alex Coke on flute, saxophone, and garden …
saxsalon 