Jump to content


Please note: You can easily log in to MPN using your Facebook account!

That "Russell Ferrante Sound"


Recommended Posts

Came across a Chuck Loeb tune and the intro just screamed "Russell Ferrante" to me.

 

Lo and behold, when I checked the album info, Russ played piano and wrote/arranged this tune.

 

How would you describe this sound, technically? I can think of Michael McDonald, Richard Tee and Harlan Rogers (Koinonia) etc, when it comes to similar blends of Blues and Gospel with Rock and Jazz. But there's something unique about each of their sound that I have yet to nailed down in words.

 

[video:youtube]

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Replies 8
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

I'm not a deep student of these great players, so can't offer technical distinctions between them. But in case it helps, I enjoyed this video by Woody Goss from Vulfpeck, who provides a good lesson on how to "pump" like Richard Tee, which perhaps is one of his trademarks relative to these other players.

 

[video:youtube]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not a deep student of these great players, so can't offer technical distinctions between them. But in case it helps, I enjoyed this video by Woody Goss from Vulfpeck, who provides a good lesson on how to "pump" like Richard Tee, which perhaps is one of his trademarks relative to these other players.

 

[video:youtube]

 

Thanks for the suggestion Morrissey, I watched and loved Woody's video too. Vulfpeck is a real gem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In words: Gospel style

Left hand 'rockin" octaves' a walking...

Right Hand 'church chords': for example 'fall into' the chord, lots of IV into I and so on...

 

This stuff is all a part of my tool kit and I practice transitioning in and out of it on any tune per Monty Alexander"s influence. It"s one of my essential 24 left hand styles that I cover and force myself to visit on any tune.

 Find 675 of my jazz piano arrangements of standards for educational purposes and tutorials at www.Patreon.com/HarryLikas Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book."

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are the basic elements in a different situation:

 

[video:youtube]

 Find 675 of my jazz piano arrangements of standards for educational purposes and tutorials at www.Patreon.com/HarryLikas Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book."

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dbl post

 Find 675 of my jazz piano arrangements of standards for educational purposes and tutorials at www.Patreon.com/HarryLikas Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book."

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In words: Gospel style

Left hand 'rockin" octaves' a walking...

Right Hand 'church chords': for example 'fall into' the chord, lots of IV into I and so on...

 

This stuff is all a part of my tool kit and I practice transitioning in and out of it on any tune per Monty Alexander"s influence. It"s one of my essential 24 left hand styles that I cover and force myself to visit on any tune.

 

Yes, Gospel/Funk harmony and bouncy bass are definitely part of the appeal. I realized while transcribing the intro that the rhythmic arrangement is also a big part of why I dig it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a fusion sound construct, playing style, harmonic mastery and melodic taste, if you must know. I'm sure Peter Erskine helped along getting a nice jazz fusion type of feel in the rhythm with these great players. Those are advanced subjects for advanced jazz players, which from the condescending tone you use you are not, so there's a difficulty to explain the music.

 

I don't get the Tee example except if I'd be an idiot copy cat with no sense of style or musical self respect, I mean you've got to be kidding me to call that rhythm and feel and pocket challenged example playing something like Tee.

 

T

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...