Piano Forum (click here) is an online community where people who are learning the piano can share practice tips and ask questions. I read some interesting discussions on there, such as a discussion about whether you should always stop to correct mistakes when playing a piece through. The verdict? Well, you'll have to go and find out for yourself.

(But as to my opinion on this topic: I am of the school that you should decide each time whether or not you are going to stop to correct mistakes, before starting to play a piece while practicing. But don't always do it one way or you'll train yourself wrong).  ¶ 6:46 PM

Writes the New Orleans Gambit, about the band Galactic: "Taking popping snare drums, fat-back bass, muted organ and wah-wah guitars into proven, funky territory (aided by cocky, assured horn parts) Galactic is one-part natural acid jazz and two-parts New Orleans groove." On the One Magazine writes that Galactic is "creating a whole new hybrid of funk and soul... at the forefront of the new vibe in the Crescent City with grooves and licks that kick with a stamp of authenticity."

On Galactic's web site at Fog City records, you'll find two full length CD's that you can listen to online (for free). Or click these Realaudio links: (1) Cooling off Album, or (2) Crazyhorse Mongoose Album.

Galactic's drummer is Stanton Moore. All About Jazz writes this about Stanton Moore,

As a New Orleans native, he's grown up on the Mardi Gras gumbo of the Meters and Professor Longhair. But as a drummer, he digs deep into the boogaloo bayou of James Brown and Lou Donaldson. He clearly does not believe drumming merely keeps time. When Moore motivates, you'll start moving. Actually, he makes it seem inhuman to sit still.

Check out a recording of an entire concert of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Stanton Moore's group "Moore and More" (click here).  ¶ 12:13 AM

I've just added a new recipe to my food diary, which is where I take pictures of food that I cook. It's Spicy Fried Japanese Udon Noodles with Zucchini, Ham, Onion, and Peanuts.
  ¶ 11:49 PM

If you want to hear a jazz big band that's really together, check out Danny D'Imperio's Big Band Bloviation.

Danny D'Imperio is the drummer and bandleader, and from his bio, here are a few of the groups he played with:

Dana Valery – 1969-70
Glenn Miller Orchestra with Buddy DeFranco – 1970-72
Gap Mangione – 1973
Maynard Ferguson – 1974-75
Woody Herman – 1976-77 including the 40th Anniversary Carnegie Hall performance
Tony Bennett – 1978
Barry Kiener, Andy Mackintosh – 1979
Eddie Jefferson & Richie Cole – 1980
Louis Armstrong Alumni Band – 1982
Eddie Condon's, New York City – 1983-1985
Buddy Rich – SUBBED for Buddy after his first heart attack in – 1983
Metropolitan Bopera House – Leader and organizer – 1983-86
House Drummer at the Marco Lodge, Marco Island, Fla. – 1986-87
Buddy Rich Band after his death – 1988
Anita O’Day – 1989, 1991
Les Elgart Band – 1989-91
Village Vanguard Orchestra – 1996

On the same web site (Who Dat Music Productions), there's a page dedicated to great alto-saxophonist Phil Woods, and a full length track of him playing Quintessence with the Quincy Jones Orchestra. It's a beautiful performance, really worth a listen.  ¶ 12:30 AM

When was the last time you cleaned your computer? Sounds silly? Well....

Here's a good page describing easy ways to clean your computer and mouse. Most succinctly, the page says, "a dirty mouse can cause the mouse to be difficult to move as well as produce strange and illogical mouse movement."

(I guess I just like the use of the word "illogical".)  ¶ 12:23 AM

Here's a quote from my course book (HRM by Dessler) that I am studying at the moment:

Competitive strategy may involve differentiating the organization from its competitors by offering superior customer service through a highly committed, competent, and customer-oriented work force.

Very well put! This is the kind of language that makes businesses tick.  ¶ 2:25 AM

Ian Varley from Houston, TX, just wrote to me to tell me that his group, the Drop Trio, has got a new show posted in the live archive at Archive.org (click here). It's worth a listen, check it out!  ¶ 12:39 AM

This weekend I was playing around with some music software and created a Latin-esque tune called "Latin for Ryan", in honour of the all great Ryan's that I have the pleasure of knowing. Click here to listen to "Latin for Ryan".  ¶ 1:00 AM

"Straight No Chaser" is a DVD about famed jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. As Sam Sutherland from Amazon.com writes:

Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser provides an intelligent portrait of this often reclusive, sometimes difficult artist, including telling glimpses of his volatility. A stormy studio session with Teo Macero, then Columbia Records' preeminent jazz producer, speaks volumes about Monk's very private approach to his muse. Perceptive interviews and glimpses of Monk's sunnier moments provide added depth, yet the real triumph is the generous catalog of classic Monk songs captured on camera.

  ¶ 9:07 PM

Born with only two fingers on each hand, young Korean pianist Hee Ah Lee's life is a story of incredible determination to overcome physical disability. She was in Vancouver last weekend and my friend who saw her perform said that it was a very powerful and moving occasion. You can watch video clips of Hee Ah Lee performing on her web site (here).  ¶ 8:44 PM

Oh, the power of nostalgia! Madeleine Peyroux's voice has been described as "smoke and whisky", and is often compared to the late, great Billie Holiday. Says Shelly Woodworth, director at Vilar Center in Colorado, "Peyroux isn't imitating anybody, she has her own story to tell and is proving herself to be an original interpreter and an open receptor to songs from earlier eras - an artist who channels vintage jazz and blues with chilling accuracy."

This article in the Vail Daily news talks more about Madeleine Peyroux's background. And you can listen to some music samples at Amazon.com.  ¶ 12:27 AM