My failed experiment, for you.

[tbdana]

Edit: Despite what I said below, this tune that started as a throwaway done in one take with no rehearsal is quickly becoming one of my faves from the whole project.

I decided to measure my progress at one year back playing (after 30+ years off) by recording some tunes. Having spent the entire year just working on chops rather than finding my own musical space, I found that I had no ideas of my own to record. I hadn't found my own musical space yet. So I decided to do tributes to other people by recording my version of their tunes.

This tune was my version of another trombonist's version of an old standard. I thought I'd maintain a high level of fidelity to his version, but add my own twist to it. As it turns out, I decided to go with another tune for my tribute to this particular musician.

And now I have nothing to do with this tune except to trash it. Or, hey, I could post it here. Guess which I chose.

[hyperbolica]

Wow, taking 30 years off seems to agree with you. I'll have to try it. I only took 10 years off, and it didn't help me nearly as much. Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!

[Doug Elliott]

Nice!

[Burgerbob]

Sounds great!!

[bwgunia]

Very nice. I wouldn't call this a failure.

[harrisonreed]

Great sounds!

[atopper333]

That’s awesome, it takes a lot of fortitude to put yourself out there, and it sounds wonderful! Glad we have you back and playing again.

[KWL]

I'm glad you didn't trash it.

[CalgaryTbone]

Great playing!

[2bobone]

This is the same person who was conflicted about not having a "Conservatory" education ? You didn't miss ANYTHING, believe me !! I really enjoyed the "tasty" playing. [does "tasty" date me ??]. Keep it coming !

[imsevimse]

Nice sound. I enjoyed it very much

/Tom

[Crazy4Tbone86]

Not a failure at all! The clarity of your high register, especially in the final phrases, is excellent.

[tbdana]

Not a failure at all! The clarity of your high register, especially in the final phrases, is excellent.

Thank you!

[officermayo]

Sounds great to me!

And remember: no performance is worthless. If nothing else it can serve as an example of what NOT to do.

Your video isn't one of those. Good job!

[imsevimse]

I decided to measure my progress at one year back playing (after 30+ years off) by recording some tunes. Having spent the entire year just working on chops rather than finding my own musical space, I found that I had no ideas of my own to record. So I decided to do tributes to other people by recording my version of their tunes.

This tune was my version of another trombonist's version of an old standard. I thought I'd maintain a high level of fidelity to his version, but add my own twist to it. As it turns out, my twist wasn't enough. It's too close to the original to be of use, so I decided to go with another tune for my tribute to this particular musician, where it's more tribute than imitation.

And now I have nothing to do with this tune except to trash it. Or, hey, I could post it here. Guess which I chose.

Just like the rest who commented I can not see why you consider this a failure. You say it is too close to the original? I do not think I've heard that original and I do not think it is very obvious what trombone player you tribute so in that sense it can't be a failure. Anyway, I can not figure what trombone player you emulate. Keep posting. The furum is about music and a video like this is a very nice presentation. It is nice to know more about forum members. Best way to do it is by giving away a recording. Best is a video. Says it all! Thanks, again for a very nice recording and presentation.

Who is in the trio behind you? Is it play-a-long or did you hire people to do this recording? Anyway, the accompaniement sounds great too.

/Tom

[mgladdish]

Lovely, and one of my favourite tunes.

Many thanks for putting this out there - I'm always keen to hear members' playing, yours especially.

[Fidbone]

Well played, not easy playing an almost note for note Bill Watrous transcription….. Not a failure at all. Great sound and control

[Wilktone]

That’s awesome. I’m looking forward to hearing your successful experiments!

[tbdana]

Who is in the trio behind you? Is it play-a-long or did you hire people to do this recording? Anyway, the accompaniement sounds great too.

/Tom

Hi Tom. Not a play-a-long. I got together a few local guys I work with now and then.

Joe Gilman - Piano
Benjamin Kopf - Bass
Tim Metz - Drums

Thanks for the kind words about them. They are really the best part of this project. So wonderful to work with. And they picked up everything instantly. Real pros. I'm privileged to play with them.

[SteveM]

Nice contributions from everyone. The bass solo is outstanding. Really exceptional trombone playing!! You have a beautiful sound. Thanks for sharing this.

[MStarke]

Great playing! While I understand this is close to a Watrous interpretation (?), I find your sound clearly different, which to me is a substantial element of your own style. Overall impressive!

And really not many of us share any recordings. I personally don't often feel comfortable doing so...

[tbdana]

Well played, not easy playing an almost note for note Bill Watrous transcription….. Not a failure at all. Great sound and control

Thank you. Huge compliment that you heard it as an "almost note for note transcription." I'm surprised that more people didn't immediately identify it. My take: the recapitulation at the end is the only part that is note for note. The head is pretty close, but that's how I play ballads anyway, thanks to sitting next to Watrous over 15 years. Huge influence. I did the jazz with a double-time that Bill didn't do. This was a last minute add-on, and we did it in one take with no rehearsal because two people had to leave, and it came out better than I thought.

[tbdana]

And really not many of us share any recordings. I personally don't often feel comfortable doing so...

I know that's how a lot of people feel. I wish it weren't the case. I love hearing the recordings people post, no matter who they are, what genre they're playing, and what their place is in the supposed hierarchy. The house of music has many rooms, and there is a perfect one for each of us, whether we're students, community players, pros, teachers, or retired folks. I appreciate it all. And I wish more would post. This group seems pretty supportive of each other, so I'd love to see more people consider this a safe space for sharing.

[tbdana]

That’s awesome, it takes a lot of fortitude to put yourself out there, and it sounds wonderful! Glad we have you back and playing again.

See, I wish "fortitude" wasn't required to post here. Everyone seems pretty supportive of each other. I haven't been here very long, but I have yet to see anyone be disrespectful toward another poster. I'd love to see more people contribute recordings of whatever they love to play.

The water's fine! Jump in!

[EriKon]

Dana, with your vitae and everything you share in here, I've been pretty sure that you would sound great on any recording even before listening to this video. I don't hear any sort of failure. Sure, there's a lot of BW influence in there, especially with the melody, but you still sound like yourself and it's a great rendition. Thanks for sharing that! Looking forward to more. I wish I would be such a clean player, but maybe some day

[tbdana]

Never mind.

[Richard3rd]

Here's Bill Watrous doing Body and Soul. Some of the stylistic touches he does I really enjoy, particularly the little trills at the end of notes. Plus he is just so delicate.

[tbdana]

No one sounds like Bill. I'm happy to just get through it. But the comparison is exactly why I did a jazzier, double-time version rather than trying to copy him. No equal to that guy.

[Kbiggs]

Nobody sounds like Bill, but I think it’s fair to say you sound like you.

Nice job!

[Lhbone]

Wow, that sound. I teared up a little bit while listening at the thought that your trombone voice has been dormant for 30+ years. I hope you had other outlets for all that expression.

[EriKon]

Nobody sounds like Bill, but I think it’s fair to say you sound like you.

Nice job!

This!

[jej]

I actually preferred your version.

[Posaunus]

Here's Bill Watrous doing Body and Soul.

In case anyone's interested, here's a transcription of the Watrous solo.



Bill's style was innovative, musical, and pleasant to listen to.

That being said, I also enjoyed Dana's Body & Soul. Very impressive.
Glad you came back to the trombone, Dana. (Or did it come back to you?)

[harrisonreed]

Yeah I must not know what is up -- I prefer the Dana Douglas version. Wow!

[tbdana]

Yeah I must not know what is up -- I prefer the Dana Douglas version. Wow!

That's because you're so intelligent, perceptive, and wildly sexy.

[OneTon]

Well, Bill is Bill, and Dana is Dana. When Dana was good, she was very good. But when Dana was bad, she was bad to the bone.

[tbdana]

LOL! I see what you did there.

[OneTon]

Very nice, Dana. If I listened to you for a couple of sets, I’d be to pick your solos out of a crowd.

[LordGinger69]

Sounds good!