The Release of Impulse

I had a lot of ideas about what to do after my Nine for Nine project was released in 2017.  Would I do a full fledged Jazz record? A piano album? Maybe a Christmas album! Instead, I did nothing. Well, not nothing. I worked on some music that was commissioned for a couple of podcasts, I  composed some Jazz tunes, and did the occasional cover here and there. Still, as 2018 was wrapping up, I found myself disappointed and frustrated about my lack of production. It felt like I worked a lot, but had nothing to show for it. I figured that was that, but then I suddenly became inspired while teaching on a Saturday.

I had an early jazz piano lesson with one of my students and while helping them work on one of their tunes I felt inspired to just make something. I think the fact that they were starting to get it, starting to understand harmony and scales, it just motivated me to make something ANYTHING that day.

So I quickly came up with a setlist and we booked a time to record. With just a short conversation and a couple tracks the entire record was completed. I’m very pleased with how Impulse came out. With little to no preparation, I went in and recorded some standards with emotion and authenticity. I feel this is my best work so far. I’m very happy with how it came out. And hopefully, you feel the same.

Nine For Nine: The Legend of Zelda “Overworld Theme”

On this months installment of Nine For Nine I took a left turn and focused on video game music, specifically Zelda. I’ve had a very interesting relationship with video games throughout my life. As a child I had a similar path as many my age, growing up with Super Nintendo, N64, and eventually GameCube. 

However by the time the next generation of consoles came out of was out of high school and working. I didn’t want to invest my time and money in video games anymore. So for the next 8 years or so I played little to no video games while I attended college and begun to master my craft. It wasn’t until my sister began writing as a games journalist and my girlfriend got an Xbox One that I started to come back to video games. 

Now I’m fully in the community. Playing as much as I can in my leisure time and I use it as a break and escape from music. I chose Zelda because I love the music from the franchise. From the iconic 8 bit soundtrack, to Wind Waker, to Breath of the Wild. Zelda always has had great music and memorable motifs. 

So I hope you enjoy my cover of The Legend of Zelda Overworld Theme. May it bring a smile to your face and inspire you to pick up a controller and experience the music in its designed setting.