Several times a month, I will post music that is mostly improvisational and/or quickly produced in nature. It is intended to get my creative juices flowing and putting stuff out there. Most of the tracks will be available for download. I will post the link and the actual sound file.
Today’s Byte of Sound: http://soundcloud.com/gammafied/languish
I am working on an arrangement of Balm in Gilead. It was originally for violin and piano, but I am working in a flute part. It will be my first arrangement using Sibelius (music notation software). I’ve had such a tough time finding advanced or more challenging solo sacred music for violin, I’ve resorted to making them.
Last night, I attended a listening / album release party for Stephaun Anu (aka Stephen Nashaun Pender). His debut album, Emotional Dyslexia, chronicles a journey in self-discovery and appreciation through instrumental hip-hop. You can find him on Tumblr and buy the album through iTunes or Bandcamp.
Another exciting thing was that the party was at Stankonia Studios, home of OutKast! There was a grand piano, stocked bar, card table, stimulating art and framed portraits of the musical duo.
The music was awesome and the party was chill with a sense of energy in the air. I hope it is not the last time I run into Stephaun and his entourage.
Each week or each day I will post music I am listening to. This week it is Four Tet’s ‘Love Cry’. Four Tet is an electronica outfit fronted by Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid. They are currently touring in Europe and Australia. For more info: visit: http://www.fourtet.net . Listen and enjoy – http://www.last.fm/music/Four+Tet/_/Love+Cry
This blog is about my music career. I will post what I like, what I am working on and where I will be performing next. Let me introduce you to my music groups . . .
My first love is music ministry with my violin. I have been performing in the church for many years. In the beginning, it was just for special or holiday services, but I then attended a church with an orchestra and am able to perform just about every week. My church, First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta, has a site just for music ministry. It is mainly for announcements, but some useful information for the public shows up from time to time. I play violin in this group and sing occasionally.
The next group is the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra. It is a GLBT(s) community orchestra that performs mainly classical music repertoire. Many of the musicians (including the conductor) are straight, though. I am one of the founding members and play principal 2nd violin after having been concertmaster since day one. I needed a break and have been asking someone else to do this for some time now. This is the only group where I really get to play 2nd violin. We are only about 5 years old, but are building up a good reputation as an amatuer group.
My next group is the Atlanta Sedition Orchestra. It is a down and dirty radical marching band. I play violin and trombone (when it is cold outside). I have fun with all my groups, but this one lets me cut loose. We only play for radical / political causes.
Atlanta Sedition Orchestra marches at 2010 Atlanta Pride Parade
My last group is Apocalypse Radio. It an indie rock band. We’ve got an accordion, bells, drums, bass, guitar, violin and ukulele. It practices intermittently and rarely performs, but it gives me a chance to be a rock star!
Each ensemble is a different style and I bring something different to each group.
Gammafied 