…As for music, Ndelible’s still grinding away on this mixtape and the second album. I couldn’t ask for a better band to be in. It’s one thing to play music together…virtually anybody can do that. It’s entirely another to have people get along so well. Even when we disagree it’s not the end of the world (or the band). But I digress, point is…new music soon!
Archive for the ‘Joe’s Music News’ Category
Spooning in a garden of pillows
22
Aug
- First up, big thanks to those who made it our (Ndelible’s) performances at Liv and Jazz Under the Stars. Both were amazing shows where we met some great folk. Hope to have videos/photos up soon.
- True Blood is entirely too addictive. This is problematic because…
- School starts soon. I’m liking UMD’s School of Public Policy thus far (sans the random and unanticipated fees). It feels a little weird to be a Terp after four years of UMBC’ing. On a music note…
- Kem and Esperanza Spalding both released purchase-worthy new albums last week. Spalding’s newest work is a lot different from her last album…it’s more strings-centered than her 2008 effort, but I like it nontheless. And Kem’s CD is dope as well. He’s one of the few singers I know who can say something like “don’t you want to spoon… in a garden of pillows,” and get away with it. lol.
- Switching tracks a bit…I don’t understand this uproar over the planned NY mosque. Sensitivity concerns are legitimate, but we weren’t attacked in 2001 by Islam as a whole. We were hit by a radical contingent. That’s like saying no more churches should be built in Oklahoma because Timothy McVeigh once described himself as Catholic. Distortions of faith (and avoidance of their primary tenets) are no more representative of Islam than they are of Christianity. Besides, there’s already a mosque near the memorial.
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Dahwell, enough random thoughts for the day. Hope everybody’s well. The Ndelible mixtape shall soon be upon you. Foe free!
Bring Your Blankets, Chairs, and Fried Chicken (for me…)
11
Aug
We’ll be playing yonder August 21st. 7-9pm. Looking forward to seeing some of ya’ll out there.
For the uninitiated, wanna hear us first to make sure we don’t sound like this? Well, check out www.ndelible.com. There’s a jam session from practice in your upper right hand corner as well. Hit me up if you have any questions! Thanks to the Beltsville Recreation Council!
Answering Questions
31
Jul
Thanks to everybody for the bday wishes. Thanks to Elani for a dope gift! She got me a looper pedal, which I’m slowly but surely learning how to use. Fun times…
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The BET Awards Saved My Life
08
Jul
After a show last week this guy came up to me and started doing some extreme talking, the kind that alcohol brings on so well. He wanted to know all about me, how long I’d been playing sax, what bands I’m in, etc…all cool. But then I started talking about school, and things went downhill. I told him I’m planning on getting my Masters of Public Policy at University of MD, to which he replied: “Why in the helllllllllllll would you do something like that? You need to just be doing music man! That school stuff is for the birds.”
I tried to explain how I have dual interests: music and public policy. These aren’t mutually exclusive. I assured him that I’ll continue playing music for the rest of my days, but feel compelled to a life of public service as well.
After struggling to explain my plans to him (and myself?) for another 10 minutes, it clicked. I don’t know what in the world I’m doing. I need a clearer plan.
Inspiration came in the form of the BET Awards. (That’s a sentence I never thought I’d write. That’s like the “Redskins” and “playoffs” getting along well). *
John Legend has an initiative called the Show Me Campaign that BET profiled. It’s a great org that fights for quality education, both here and abroad. Unlike a lot of celebs with foundations, this dude actually knew what he was talking about. It seemed like this was far more than a puff piece for him.
So yes, I wanna be John Legend.
Well, maybe not. My singing is a shower-only deal. I wanna be like John Legend, someone who’s as equally involved in music as policy. More importantly he realizes the indelible (plug!) connection between art and activism. As musicians/singers we can’t be a voice in the community without saying something at least a little bit substantive. It doesn’t have to be this heavy-handed thing of uberconsciousness 24/7, but there’s gotta be some balance.
So yes, a man under the influence of copious amounts of Blues Alley drink’age and the BET Awards have helped my life plan. Goes to show good can be found where least expected.
*here’s hoping that McNabb, Wall, and Strasburg will lead masterful revitalizations of their respective franchises, ushering in a new era of sportly success in DC. Ha..I can dream.
Upcoming Shows (with Walter Beasley and Ndelible)
24
Jun
I know I’ve done an incredibly bad job of updating this blog on my own shows. But I’m gonna change! If only for tonight…
- I’m sitting in with Walter Beasley at Blues Alley
this Saturday June 26th at 8 and 10pm. He’s featured there through Sunday. Tickets are 35.00 and available here. For those new to the site, a brief history. I met Walt a couple years back through Sean Chase (a dope drummer from church). Walt’s kind enough to let me play with him when he comes to town. He’s a masterful artist and teacher. I always learn something by watching him play. There’s some old video of us at the Birchmere at the bottom of this post.
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- Ndelible’s playing at DC’s Bohemian Caverns
next Wednesday, June 30. Doors open at 8pm. I believe the cover’s around $10. By the dub, our (free!) mixtape’s coming along nicely! I’m really excited for ya’ll to hear it.
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- This isn’t music-related so much, but I wanted to thank everyone who sent kind words regarding my Nana. All the texts, emails, and calls were definitely appreciated. I have to admit, playing at the funeral was a struggle for me. But all in all, it was a celebratory day. A beautiful woman is at peace…and I can’t be mad (or sad) about that.
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Ndelible Rehearsal Footage
28
Apr
So Ndelible’s drummer Ron B is a beast. He took this footage of one of our rehearsals and added a bit of video magic to it in post. I’m on the right side playing EWI/Strings. This song (Coldplay’s Rush of Blood to the Head) is gonna be on our mixtape, which will be coming out in the next few months. The mixtape will be completely gratis…free, free, free. The second album, not so much! :)
Hope you all enjoy
Personnel: Dave James (Vocals/Acoustic Guitar), Myron “Q Dot” (El. Guitar), Tommy (Bass), Ron B (drums), Sam Buck (keys), Me (EWI/Sax).
Ndelible Pics. April 25, 2010
27
Apr
Last Sunday was a busy day for Ndelible. We did a radio show in College Park and then hit Expo Lounge in DC. Great shows. Mixtape’s coming soon!
Trumpeter Christian Scott with the Roots!!
08
Apr
Anybody who knows me can attest to my addiction with the Roots. In an era of so much wackness in rap, they are pioneers, leading the way with actual music with actual instruments. Don’t get me wrong, I love the art of production and DJ’ing as well, but nothing beats a real band. Nothing.
So when I saw this clip of trumpeter Christian Scott sitting in with them I had to post it (after recovering from the waves of jealousy that washed over me). Lol, just playing. This was really dope to see.
For those unfamiliar with Scott, he’s a great trumpet player, and he recently released a new album, Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. I think Rewind That is still my favorite album of his, but this most recent joint cranks as well. YYST has some nice jams on it…I’m a big fan of Scott’s cover of Thom Yorke’s The Eraser.
Speaking of instrumental music…
There’s a new jam up from Ndelible. Nearly 10 minutes long, it features solos from all the band (me on sax, Myron “Q Dot” on guitar, Sam Buck killing on keys, and Tommy on bass). Hope you enjoy. It’s an impromptu joint from rehearsal.
Last Night Was…
21
Feb
Great!
Thanks again to Walter Beasley for letting me come through the Birchmere. Many thanks to his band as well (Lil John Roberts, Wayne, Web, Glen Douglas) — they’re all an inspiration, for real. There’s so much value in building a song…every time I play with them I get reminded of that crucial fact. Anywho, I could rant all day, but I’ll get to the fun stuff.
(By the way, thanks to all the emails, texts, facebook messages, and calls yesterday. I had two young dudes tell me I was an inspiration. That kinda blew me away. Am I even allowed call anybody young? I still look like I’m 16. Well I hope one day I live up to the “inspiration” title…reminded me people are always watching. And that I still have plenty of work to do. Oh, and thanks to my fam for coming out! We were rolling deep, lol.)
Dang, rambling again…some short video of the show is yonder. This was the encore.
Saxophonist Joe Edwards jamming with Walter Beasley from Joseph Edwards on Vimeo.
