Branford Marsalis and his saxophone teacher Harvey Pittel

While perusing the internet late last night, I came across this wonderful YouTube video of a masterclass featuring one of my favorite saxophonists Branford Marsalis (Courtesy of Amsterdam winds). You can see the video below or follow this link.
This masterclass is valuable for anyone interested in performing jazz regardless of your instrument...

                                                 

Branford speaks on a variety of subjects in his usual down to earth manner. At one point an audience member asks him if he currently has a teacher to which he replies "Yes, Harvey Pittel". So of course I had to stay up even later and search for Harvey Pittel on You tube and I found a treasure trove of videos from this interesting and highly accomplished teacher.

Here they are!

 

I've only posted the first 4 parts of the full 14 part series - obviously if these are useful to you then you can check out the rest. I'm still trying to digest them all myself...happy viewing!

Financial realities of the Barbados "music industry"

Here is a scan of a page from the first financial accounts I ever kept. The year was 1988, Keyboardist Roger Gittens and I worked together in a duo called Double Exposure. In that year I had been out of music school for 2 years or so, Roger and I were relatively new to the scene.

I find it interesting to note that nearly 25 years have passed since I wrote these accounts.
Today's pay on the local Barbadian restaurant/hotel circuit has seen some changes - but have these changes followed rises in the cost of living? What would the $300 pay of 1988 be worth in today's economy? The following year, (1989) my duo was earning Bds $400.00 at the Kings Beach Hotel, and in 2001 my duo regularly earned $500/night in hotels around the island.
In the past year I've heard of local musicians earning Bds.$100.00 to play in a quartet!! There is a well known jazz venue in Barbados that offers $400.00 for a duo and $500.00 for a trio!

A music degree from an American university or college can now cost as much as BDS$200,000, what is the financial sense in pursuing a music career as a local musician? Can local instrumental performers really expect to make a living playing music locally under these conditions?

I don't think so.

Guest appearance on episode 27 of Freethinking Island

I made an appearance on episode 27 of "Freethinking Island" a podcast committed to promoting the virtue of reason over faith. Below is an introduction written by the podcast co-creator David Ince.  

"Episode 27 of 'Freethinking Island' is up and ready for download. This week it was jazz and freethinking, as we had the pleasure of welcoming Andre Woodvine, leading Barbados and Caribbean jazz saxophonist to the 'island'.

It was fascinating to sit with Joy and listen to a person whose music we grew up hearing in Barbados, talk about his atheism and his personal background. Interestingly, Andre was also our first Barbadian guest to 'Freethinking Island' and he give us some details about his experience in Barbados surrounded by Christianity of all types.

Andre spent time talking about his family and gave some entertaining stories of how he has been able to get his children to think critically about the religious beliefs so prevalent around them. He also went on to reflect on the various reactions he has received in Barbados both personally and professionally as a result of being public about his atheism.

Andre as a guest, is every bit as 'cool' as the jazz he seems to play so effortlessly on his instrument. Listening to his personal story and his outlook on life is a great illustration of how a person can live an enormously happy and fulfilled life without belief in any God or higher power.

From a personal perspective, it was a thrill to have someone who I admired as a musician and who gave me so much inspiration to become a saxophonist myself, now giving support to myself and others in our efforts to promote freethinking in the Caribbean.

Hope you enjoy both the discussion and the music on this Episode. We open with a taste of 'Fix it on Monday' which is a sweet jazz track with a distinct Caribbean flavour. Make sure you listen right to the end of the episode as you get to hear the extent of Andre's musical range, with one of his most popular tracks, 'Citronella'.

You can download Episode 27 and all previous episodes from www.freethinkingisland.com, through iTunes or from the Blackberry podcast system. Don't forget to check out all of Andre's music on iTunes as well."