Holidaze Video

I am putting out a dvd and video cd of several musical pieces I have recently done. I played trumpet in middle and high school, but played with an incorrect embrouchure. In 2007 I found the music of jazz trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker and was inspired to take the trumpet up again. And to try to solve the riddle of playing with an orthodox embrouchure. So it's now been about 2 years and change since I started playing again. Mainly I play by myself. However, recently, I have had the chance to play alongside a very talented musician, Dennis Kyne. That has hopefully expanded my musical range.

The title piece, "Holidaze in B flat" was done December 12 during one of our Saturday post aikido training jam sessions. Some excursions into b flat seemed fun so I captured some on a camcorder. I put Holidaze instead of Holidays in the title because I didn't want to give the impression that it was strictly a holiday piece.

"Blade Horn and Wolf" was shot in Sebastopol California just outside Tenchi Aikido in August of this year(2009). Dianna Lynne does a beautiful exhibition of Japanese Iai or sword drawing in free form. Originally the thought was to have her draw and cut to the title song of the animated film "Princess Mononoke". That is how the piece starts. But it evolved into having her move, and my trying to sense her movements in advance and produce riffs with the horn that would match her cuts. Very challenging and possibly original. And her Siberian wolf Vladimir lends his majestic presence to the whole piece. James Gauer was present with a camcorder and caught it.

"My Funny Valentine" was shot at the November 15 fundraiser and celebration of my 40th year in aikido. Chet Baker's signature piece. Trumpet on melody line and free form. With vocal. And right in the middle of the vocal, a fire engine siren. But it adds to the piece.

I am offering the video as a continuation of the fundraiser for the dojo. You may purchase the dvd for $20, but it comes free with every donation to the dojo of $20 or more. I have a bunch of dvds in the dojo office. The dvds can be bought in the office or ordered online through paypal. E-mail me that the transaction is for the video, give me a mailing address, and I'll mail to you. Or you can pick it up in the office.

--Jack Wada

A few days ago I heard a new piece of music. It's a beginning that may never be finished, it brings forth a life of its own that lives in the moment. Its presence comes from its "artlessness", an unpremeditated way of manifesting into sound. It's not very often that something "just happens" but "Holidaze" is one of those rare musical moments.

--Frank Silvey

...such a lovely rendition, and you sound so much like Chet!!! How I love that you bend the notes, the way Chet did, and that is one of the most endearing parts of his playing for me!

--Lucille Dolab (a good friend of Artt and Lisa Frank, and a super Chet Baker fan)

The sound of your trumpet is like a Schakuhachi! Her slow movement with sword is also very matched in the quiet forest. I liked that!

--Kaoru Yukitani

We dropped in with the DVD the other night. Jack, your playing is mystical, sensitive and deep. The subtle cascade of dropping and rising notes, and the timing of your expression, are truly beautiful. I can see the opening and evolution of your relationship to the art, in just these few years. You are truly an artist.

--Mary McLean, dojo-cho, Centerfield Aikido.