Seems like every time I turn on the Long Beach Jazz station in the car, I hear "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock, in some version or another. It's a great tune and one found on an Aebersold recording for the practice of improv. I remember the pink-swirled album cover well.
I started playing saxophone by ear as soon as I started in the fifth grade. For my June 4 birthday after eighth grade, my Mom gave me two tapes: Kenny G's "Duotones" and David Sanborn's "Change of Heart". I did not fall in love with the Kenny G, but did fall in love with the David Sanborn sound.
I played his stuff by ear, along with the tape, all summer long. Ask my old neighbors! I copied inflections, vibrato, and as much gusto as I could muster. Then, I started private lessons with G-L-O-R-I-A, who then introduced me to the world of chord changes and the swing eighth-notes.
Whoa-ah-!
My mind was blown. Kind of felt like watermelon man, myself. Definitely chopped and consumed.
What fun to play along and repeat "real" jazz.
Now, it's time for sleep!
Good night!
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