James Gadson with Noel Webb talk radio

James Gadson will be on my radio talk show, "ExpandMusic with Noel Webb" Wednesday night (Oct. 27th 7:-7:30pm PST). In the coming weeks, I will have ongoing interviews of:

Carlos Santana

Jean Luc Ponty

Alphonso Johnson

Larry Graham

John McLaughlin

...and more

Listen at 7:pm Wednesday, Oct. 27th PST. At 7:pm Wednesday, click on the player or link below to listen to the ExpandMusic with Noel Webb featuring James Gadson show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/expandjazzmusicwithnoelwebb/2010/10/28/expandmusic-with-noel-webb-featuring-james-gadson

Before and after the interview, please feel free to call in and talk to me on the radio. I'll enjoy it - 646-378-0677

James Gadson has been one of the most prolific percussionists in jazz and r&b history, playing with Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Bill Withers, The Temptations, B.B. King  and dozens of more well known artists. Hip/Hop artists sample his drum work more than any other drummer.

Noel Webb

Improvising Violin in Jazz

Improvising on the violin is new and exciting. I'm aware that I'm one of the few violinists playing electric violin and improvising in jazz, rock, fusion, blues, r&b, etc. There are more of us and they're all working hard at creating a new style. How each were trained, and what music they love in their heart plays the largest part in how they will improvise. For my part, I love the blues. I was trained classically, entered rock with Jimmy Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Led Zeppelin, John McLaughlin, Paul Winter Consort, and Roberta Flack. I'm sure you can hear these folks in my struggle to express. And that goal, the constant struggle to express, is what improvising is all about to me. It isn't great pattern lines, fast playing, and flair. It is deep sharing. Don't get me wrong. There's plenty of happy, thrilling, commercial themes to be played. I play plenty myself. But improvising violinists should be willing and able to challenge their fingers and bowing with the blues. I'd love to hear other violinists on this blog. Jazzers of all kinds are of course welcome. I have a similar blog at www.noelwebb.com/feed/