Musical Blog of Rob Birdwell
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Sideways Portal at Sunnyside Up Cafe - Two Shows: April 28 and May 5
Come check out a new musical collaboration - we're called "Sideways Portal" and the group features the talents of Dave Storrs (percussion), Page Hundemer (bass), John Bliss (guitar) and myself, Rob Birdwell (trumpet/flugelhorn). Future incarnations of the group will likely include Mike Curtis (tenor sax/clarinet).
Though we've been foraging together for several months, working on our sound and approach, we'll finally make our public debut at Sunnyside Up cafe in Corvallis on Monday April 28, followed up by an encore performance the next week on Monday May 5. Both shows start at 6pm and we'll play until 8pm. Hope to see you there!
This should be a treat - we'll offer up what Dave Storrs likes to describe as "spontaneous compositions" - inspired by a strong undercurrent of contemporary Jazz and World music, our sound is the product each performer responding and contributing, leading and following, listening and ultimately going where the musical journey goes - all the while with a that certain je ne sais quoi, which if I recall my junior high school French, means quite literally "that which swings cool baby."
Hope you can make it to Sunnyside Up cafe on Monday April 28 and/or Monday May 5 - the "Sideways Portal" may be just the thing you're looking for! ¶ 9:38 PM 0 comments links to this post
Though we've been foraging together for several months, working on our sound and approach, we'll finally make our public debut at Sunnyside Up cafe in Corvallis on Monday April 28, followed up by an encore performance the next week on Monday May 5. Both shows start at 6pm and we'll play until 8pm. Hope to see you there!
This should be a treat - we'll offer up what Dave Storrs likes to describe as "spontaneous compositions" - inspired by a strong undercurrent of contemporary Jazz and World music, our sound is the product each performer responding and contributing, leading and following, listening and ultimately going where the musical journey goes - all the while with a that certain je ne sais quoi, which if I recall my junior high school French, means quite literally "that which swings cool baby."
Hope you can make it to Sunnyside Up cafe on Monday April 28 and/or Monday May 5 - the "Sideways Portal" may be just the thing you're looking for! ¶ 9:38 PM 0 comments links to this post
Saturday, March 08, 2008
XTET at Sibling Revelry
Always a joy to play with these guys - and what a wonderful flow of folks coming in to enjoy the wine, food, clothes...and hopefully the music too!
Rob Birdwell (Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Bundy II Tenor Sax), Stuart Curtis (Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute), Mike Rhodes (Bass), Viking (Drums), John Bliss (Guitar)
Monday, February 25, 2008
One Way Blues
Here's a new chart entitled "One Way Blues" written especially for the Linus Pauling Middle School Early Bird Jazz Band. We meet twice a week and it's an outstanding group of musicians. This year our instrumentation consists not only of Alto, Tenor, Trumpet, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Drums, but we've also have Clarinet, Baritone, Tuba, Violin and French Horn!
It's a straight ahead blues that features short solos, soli, and/or featurette sections for the Tenor Sax, Violin, Flute, Alto, Trumpet, Drums, and Piano. Hopefully there's a little something for every player here! Enjoy!
One Way Blues (MP3)
Here's a new chart entitled "One Way Blues" written especially for the Linus Pauling Middle School Early Bird Jazz Band. We meet twice a week and it's an outstanding group of musicians. This year our instrumentation consists not only of Alto, Tenor, Trumpet, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Drums, but we've also have Clarinet, Baritone, Tuba, Violin and French Horn!
It's a straight ahead blues that features short solos, soli, and/or featurette sections for the Tenor Sax, Violin, Flute, Alto, Trumpet, Drums, and Piano. Hopefully there's a little something for every player here! Enjoy!
One Way Blues (MP3)Labels: jazz ensemble
¶ 11:41 PM 0 comments links to this post
Friday, February 08, 2008
Personal Song Service - now only $50
Back in 1999 I created a Personal Song service - the deal was, I'd write tunes for special occasions based on just a simple narrative from anyone wanting a song.
It wasn't exactly the huge success I'd hoped for - but over a two year period I wrote about a dozen tunes for people all over the U.S.A. From a simple song that went out to "Grandma" in Minnesota, to a song for a lobbyist in Washington D.C. - and for each of these tunes, my fee was only $20! I enjoyed writing each and every song and received nothing but positive feedback from everyone I wrote tunes for. And then I gave it a rest.
But now, for a very limited time, I'm opening up the Personal Song doors once again! For only $50 (a new rate and subject to change at any time!), I'll write your Personal Song! The tune can be for you or someone special. Any special event...or for no special reason at all.
Interested? Visit and read my newly updated Personal Song request page - and we'll go from there!
Rob Birdwell
It wasn't exactly the huge success I'd hoped for - but over a two year period I wrote about a dozen tunes for people all over the U.S.A. From a simple song that went out to "Grandma" in Minnesota, to a song for a lobbyist in Washington D.C. - and for each of these tunes, my fee was only $20! I enjoyed writing each and every song and received nothing but positive feedback from everyone I wrote tunes for. And then I gave it a rest.
But now, for a very limited time, I'm opening up the Personal Song doors once again! For only $50 (a new rate and subject to change at any time!), I'll write your Personal Song! The tune can be for you or someone special. Any special event...or for no special reason at all.
Interested? Visit and read my newly updated Personal Song request page - and we'll go from there!
Rob Birdwell
Labels: PersonalSong
¶ 12:09 AM 0 comments links to this post
Monday, January 07, 2008
Yamaha P120 Instrument Definition for Cakewalk/SONAR
I've owned a Yamaha P120 keyboard for a few years now (mine's the far "hipper" silver and genuine imitation Cherry wood version) and use it for composing/arranging all sorts of stuff - it's a simple and reliable instrument. But for reasons that defy explanation, I had never been able to find a Cakewalk/SONAR instrument definition file on-line for this instrument (I searched the world over - nada). So, thinking it should be easy, I took a crack at creating one from scratch...and, wonder of wonders, it worked! Now, I'll do what someone should have done years ago - I'll share the file with you and anyone who needs it!
Download my edit of the Yamaha P120 Instrument Definition file for Cakewalk's SONAR here: Yamaha-P120.ins (a Cakewalk/SONAR text/instrument definition file)
(Note: at the time of this writing, this Instrument Definition file works with SONAR 6 - I can only assume this file format will work with SONAR 7...just a best guess!)
I relied upon the P120 manual and this reference. I had to guess a few times on the bank setting - the solution was, it turns out, fairly obvious.
Enjoy!
Rob Birdwell
I've owned a Yamaha P120 keyboard for a few years now (mine's the far "hipper" silver and genuine imitation Cherry wood version) and use it for composing/arranging all sorts of stuff - it's a simple and reliable instrument. But for reasons that defy explanation, I had never been able to find a Cakewalk/SONAR instrument definition file on-line for this instrument (I searched the world over - nada). So, thinking it should be easy, I took a crack at creating one from scratch...and, wonder of wonders, it worked! Now, I'll do what someone should have done years ago - I'll share the file with you and anyone who needs it!Download my edit of the Yamaha P120 Instrument Definition file for Cakewalk's SONAR here: Yamaha-P120.ins (a Cakewalk/SONAR text/instrument definition file)
(Note: at the time of this writing, this Instrument Definition file works with SONAR 6 - I can only assume this file format will work with SONAR 7...just a best guess!)
I relied upon the P120 manual and this reference. I had to guess a few times on the bank setting - the solution was, it turns out, fairly obvious.
Enjoy!
Rob Birdwell
Labels: make a difference, musicians
¶ 11:23 PM 0 comments links to this post
Saturday, December 29, 2007
The Storrs Sessions
In September of 2007, musician Dave Storrs and I crossed paths one day while I was going to pick up my "crappy Chrysler" at the repair shop. (It's actually not so crappy!) And thanks to the timing of that vehicular breakdown, Dave invited me and some other terrific players (John Bliss, Page Hundemer, Steve Willis, and Mike Curtis) to his Corvallis studio for a jam session. Right out of the gate there was a very good vibe with the music and sounds we were making and, to date, we've compiled quite a number of fine recordings.
Here's a playlist of some of our early sessions featuring Dave Storrs (Drums), Page Hundemer (Bass), John Bliss (Guitar), and myself, Rob Birdwell (Trumpet/Flugelhorn). Enjoy!
Stay tuned for more!
Rob Birdwell
In September of 2007, musician Dave Storrs and I crossed paths one day while I was going to pick up my "crappy Chrysler" at the repair shop. (It's actually not so crappy!) And thanks to the timing of that vehicular breakdown, Dave invited me and some other terrific players (John Bliss, Page Hundemer, Steve Willis, and Mike Curtis) to his Corvallis studio for a jam session. Right out of the gate there was a very good vibe with the music and sounds we were making and, to date, we've compiled quite a number of fine recordings.Here's a playlist of some of our early sessions featuring Dave Storrs (Drums), Page Hundemer (Bass), John Bliss (Guitar), and myself, Rob Birdwell (Trumpet/Flugelhorn). Enjoy!
Stay tuned for more!
Rob Birdwell
Labels: storrs-sessions
¶ 1:05 PM 0 comments links to this post
Monday, September 10, 2007
Rob Birdwell CD - Portrait
Listen to Rob Birdwell's new CD ("Portrait"), on CDBaby or iTunes, then order your copy!
Listen to Rob Birdwell's new CD ("Portrait"), on CDBaby or iTunes, then order your copy!Labels: Portrait
¶ 10:30 PM 0 comments links to this post
