Ideas . . .

. . . are plenty . . .


. . . That is ideas for songs/compositions/pieces of music . . .

. . . but these days I feel as though I cannot find/make enough time to properly develop them. The reasons are many, varied and boring.  But they do say we MAKE time for those things for which we really want to make time. . .

. . . This idea has been floating around my consciousness for a few months now and continues to evolve although it may finally be taking some form now . . .

(of course titles, like the ideas themselves, continue to evolve also_


A Thing for Spring
evolving it's way into a song

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html  or at
http://www.ohomusic.com 

My latest solo offering, No Frills, is now available at - No Frills

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Get your copy of OHO's  Where Words Do Not Reach now!
The Ocean City Ditty Video is now on YouTube
Also, be sure to visit: www.rayjozwiak.com and www.ohomusic.com

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A Whirlwind . . .

. . . of life (and thoughts) . . .

. . . mastering for a future release;  practicing music for a new Mystic I performance;  documenting compositions for copyright;  trying to compose new things;  'observing' tradition;   cooking for family;  watching one of Christopher Hitchens' last interviews; wondering what to write about . . .

Life is good!

What do YOU think?
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very own copy of
AMBIENCE & WINE
by Ray Jozwiak

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Today . . .

. . . is the day AMBIENCE & WINE goes on sale at www.cdbaby.com

Ambience & wine, two precious and plentiful elements of which I highly recommend consumption in mass quantities.  In this particular incarnation, music is provided to contribute to the 'ambience' portion of the equation.

Creative musician, Baltimore-based Ray Jozwiak offers recordings and performances of eclectic, instrumental solo piano (and piano-based) compositions that have been referred to as 'Fractured Jazz' laced with generous amounts of 'Improvisational Terror Tactics'. 

A local jazz pianist's music inspired the quick-moving 'L-Street' pitting left-hand call against right-hand response and opening the album in a sprightly manner.  'Ooh Bee Aah Bop' (from the not-too-distant past) is an improvised, sampled choir with percussion followed by a contemplative, solo outing called merely 'Foisfois'.  A sensuous, x-rated-movie-like 'My World'  throbs incessantly behind sampled electronic keyboards and instruments. 'LVJ's jazz-inflected variations follow, again solo, acoustic, pianoforte proceeded by 'McCafferty's Piano' which asks the musical question for which I'm still dying to know the answer.  A moody, ethereal 'Number One' exposition is next with 'Hope' wrapping up this aural delicacy.

'Hope' you do enjoy it and . . . please, tell a friend!

L-STREET (from AMBIENCE & WINE)
©2011 Raymond M. Jozwiak




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ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak

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Small entry . . .

. . . for a musical giant on Wikipedia . . .

"David Murray was born in Oakland, California, USA. He was initially influenced by free jazz musicians such as Albert Ayler and Archie Shepp. He gradually evolved a more diverse style in his playing and compositions. Murray set himself apart from most tenor players of his generation by not taking John Coltrane as his model, choosing instead to incorporate elements of mainstream players Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Paul Gonsalves into his mature style. Despite this, he recorded a tribute to Coltrane, Octet Plays Trane, in 1999. His 1996 tribute to the Grateful Dead, Dark Star, was also critically well received.

Murray was a founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet with Oliver Lake, Julius Hemphill and Hamiet Bluiett. He has recorded or performed with musicians such as Henry Threadgill, James Blood Ulmer, Olu Dara, Tani Tabbal, Butch Morris, Donal Fox, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Ed Blackwell, Johnny Dyani, and Steve McCall. David Murray's use of the circular breathing technique has enabled him to play astonishingly long phrases.

He is currently living in Sines, Portugal, and participates every year in the FMM festival, a World's Music Festival."

The list of his recordings is substantially larger. In fact, too large to reproduce here. But you can view it at http://go54321.tripod.com/dm/davidmurray.html

[Note: That's Baltimore/DC's own Lafayette Gilchrist on piano]




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ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak

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http://www.rayjozwiak.com


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You don't know Jack. . .

. . . but you should know Doug.

Doug Alan Wilcox, the Hagerstown (formerly Frederick) singer/songwriter/bard/guitarist/entertainer/excellent human being who offers his melodic musical compositions to you via live performance and cds. . . his newest of which is called WHAT I MEANT TO SAY. And you can hear it on his website by clicking on the hyperlink below.

Not only is Doug the creative musician par excellence, he is a board member of the Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise promoting local original music and musicians.



Visit Doug's Website

Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM


Download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak

Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com



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You Couldn't Play The Music. . .

. . . so you made up your own. . .

That's what the father of another accordion student said to me at the conclusion of accordion practice on the night I chose as my solo, a song that I made up. . . I mean. . . an original composition. In fact, it was my very first original composition, to the best of my knowledge.

The piece was entitled THE NEW YORK STRANGERS. It was essentially, half blues and half folk song. Literally. It was not verse- chorus-verse-chorus, or verse-chorus-bridge-verse-chorus. It was first-part-second-part (repeat). It had lyrics. Very simple lyrics which I, unfortunately (and embarrassingly) do remember so will not repeat here. It was inspired by. . . nothing in particular but the need to write an original composition. Well, isn't that ENOUGH?

And the comment from the other student's parent seems quite ruthless in print. It was, in fact, delivered quite humorously (and kiddingly) by a man who had quite a fine sense of humor with no offense intended and none, indeed, taken.

In retrospect, quite possibly (make that DEFINITELY) the best part of the entire experience, and the finest nuance of the memory, is the look of pride on my very own father's face as I received congratulations from several listeners that evening.


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very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak

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Always You. . .

You've always been ahead of me
One fact that I
In my infinite wisdom
Could not always see
But in the end you always convinced me
Things aren't always
What they appear
The things I've always looked for

Once long ago before we met
I thought I could
Singlehandedly make the
Spinning world go away
Just like some king
from back in those bygone days
But I was wrong
I don't belong
Inside this category

Seemed to be
At the time to me
To my advantage
Missing why
Not knowing
When to try
To start believing
In my
Very own
Self
Determination

Sometimes at night
When I'm alone
The solitude
And the quiet can bring out
All the worst in my head
But now it seems that isn't to big or bad
I've learned a thing

Or maybe two
And just ahead
There's
Always
You


Remember, tonight compositions by Baltimore Composers Forum members Garth Baxter, Rose Bridges, Jin-Hwa Choi, Ian Hockett, Ljiljana Jovanovic, WIlliam Milner, Vivian A. Rudow, Ariyo Shahry (and me-Ray Jozwiak) will be performed by Andrea Ceccomori a with pianist Elitza Harbova this Saturday at An Die Musik.

See the following links if you'd like to hear more about the concert/and a solo performance of the piece.
http://www.baltimorecomposersforum.com/concerts.html
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/#section2A
http://www.ourstage.com/tracks/TMYIXDMKNAGQ-always-you

(Hear my music at http://www.rayjozwiak.com)