Why this tune? I wrote and recorded “Sanitizer” early in the pandemic, starting the process with a hip drum sample from the superbly useful Drumgenius library (Tony Williams on “500 miles high”). The bass line and chords came next, followed by the simple melody. More than two years later, the pandemic, and the need forContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Sanitizer”
Category Archives: Tunes On Tuesday
Tunes on Tuesday: If You Could Fly
Why this tune? This week’s tune is another one that started during February Album Writing Month (FAWM) (@fawmers) this year. The song started as a series of questions: “What do you see?” “How does it feel?” which evolved into a musical wish from the singer to stay with the one they love no matter whereContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: If You Could Fly”
Tunes on Tuesday: Island In The Sea
Why this tune? This week I’m previewing the lovely lyrics video for “Island In The Sea,” which you can see this Friday 3/25 at 10 AM EDT on my YouTube channel, when the song is released on all major (and some minor) streaming services. “Island” is in part a love song to my favorite islandContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Island In The Sea”
Tunes on Tuesday: Pi Day
Why this tune? I’m publishing Tunes On Tuesday on Monday this week to celebrate Pi Day (3.14), the annual celebration of our favorite mathematical constant and the food it inspires. I wrote my musical tribute in 2015, a more special Pi Day when the year filled out another two digits (3.14.15). I was a bitContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Pi Day”
Tunes on Tuesday: I’ll Be Here For You
Why this tune? This week’s tune started out as a fast funky instrumental I wrote for the February Album Writing Month (FAWM) project (@fawmers), working off some rather complex chord progressions I had been playing with for a while. Several FAWMers responded to my call for collaborators on the FAWM forum, including Nigel Pattinson, whoContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: I’ll Be Here For You”
Tunes on Tuesday: Waiting
What’s new? After two years of Tunes on Tuesday, I’m changing the format. Starting from this week, I’ll post a new original tune every two weeks. It might be a completed song or a work in progress, which I’ll share with notes on the songwriting process. I hope you enjoy the new format. Why thisContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Waiting”
Tunes on Tuesday: Mister Magic
Why this tune? This week’s tune is a classic blend of soul, R&B and jazz that reached its peak of popularity in the 1970s. The tune is most closely associated with Grover Washington, Jr, whose recording hit the Top 100 pop and R&B charts in 1975. There aren’t that many recordings of “Mister Magic,” butContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Mister Magic”
Tunes on Tuesday: Along Came Betty
Why this tune? Last week was the birthday of the great jazz sax player and composer Benny Golson. That was an opportunity to learn one of his classic tunes, “Along Came Betty.” Golson wrote it for a woman he was dating: “the rhythmic sway reflects how Betty used to walk.” Art Blakey recorded it firstContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Along Came Betty”
Tunes on Tuesday: Snowfall
Why this tune? When you’re looking for inspiration for a new song, there’s always the weather. This song was inspired by the snowstorm that blanketed Washington, DC earlier this month. I saw an opportunity to try out some creative ways to describe the snow in words and music, and capture some of the sense ofContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Snowfall”
Tunes on Tuesday: Next Slide
Why this tune? Sometimes the journey from idea to completed song is fast and direct. This week’s tune was one of those. It was triggered by a presenter on yet another online work meeting calling for the “next slide.” That reminded me of the countless slide decks I prepared and presented over my long technologyContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Next Slide”
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and composer 