This quartet was put together by bass player Randy Cole, with Jonas Myers, keys, and Wolf Kienzle, guitar at Wonder Coffee and Sports Bar, on the historic Wonder Bread Bakery block in the Atlantic neighborhood of Seattle, WA.
The blues can come in many styles. From fast to slow, and funky to swingin’, there are infinite possibilities when it comes to the formulation of a hip blues tune. There are three important reasons why I am always down to play the blues.
The Blues are the Cornerstone for Building Improvised Solos
There’s a reason Jamie Aebersold’s world famous jazz improvisation method starts almost right off with a volume entitled, “Nothin’ but Blues”. This is because the sounds of the blues are a fundamental piece of the history, tradition, and experience of fluent jazz expression. The blues can be infused with almost any harmonic ideas and rhythmic grooves from around the world.
Playing the Blues can be a Spiritual Experience
Even more compelling, the blues sound has a unique effect on the nervous system via the ears, so being immersed in those simple chord changes can be a spiritual experience. For me, a good blues tune really clears my head, lightens my heart, and lifts my mood.
Playing the Blues Helps Us Learn to Communicate Better with One Another
The blues, and music in general, tends to be a vehicle that facilitates the melding of cultures and ideas. There is a give and take to the blending process that teaches us how to be sensitive to one another, show respect, and listen intently. It is a way that we can share a common human experience and acknowledge our need for deep communication with one another.