Ask Dennis Gonzalez Part 2

[Jesse]

Dennis,
Stefan's recovery is on my mind-I sent him a greet at your MySpace page.
Love to you and all of yours.

Jesse

[Dennis Gonzalez]

YES, I know, but I wasn't! Grrr...

Did you already know my music then? When did you sign on to JC?

We have to check this website thing. I haven't got the correct info right here on the laptop, but I'll look into it.

You mean the Clean Feed or my dennisgonzalez.com?

[Dennis Gonzalez]

If you have the time and don't tell them that I put you up to this, can you e-mail them and tell them that it's "Dance of the Soothsayer's Tongue?

I'll do that. You can delete your message now.

Nah, that's OK...Maybe they'll see my suggestion here at JC before they get your e-mail...or mine, for that matter!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Thanks man!! You're gonna love how the mello is coming along, but I'm getting to the stage where I REALLY need to shed it to make more progress. Never really done that before...

There comes a time...!

I am looking forward to hearing the mello again.

One of my goals for 08 is to get out your way at least once to play with you guys and see what other trouble I can get into.

One of then problems with funding in Texas is that it rarely includes enough for travel, but once you are here, we can certainly make it up somehow! Come on down!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzy mary:
He should just write you, Dennis, and say "gimme all 7 albums listed on your ordering page and tell me what it costs." It's really too hard to try to pick just one or two or three...

That's not my definition of 'champion', more along the lines of 'sales & development manager'

No lie, jaka!

Thanks jm...again!...I appreciate so much your enthusiasm.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Dennis,
Stefan's recovery is on my mind-I sent him a greet at your MySpace page.
Love to you and all of yours.

Stefan and I saw it...I pulled it up on the computer and turned the screen to face him as he lay on his back on his recovery couch. His voice got really low and he remarked to me how sweet the message was. We actually saw it together Wednesday night, and he asked me to thank you. I just hadn't had the time for a "quality" thank you. But maybe this will do for the depth of your concern...we send our love back to you and some hugs (gentle enough for Stefan) and sweetness.

[Ron Thorne]

Quote:

We have to check this website thing. I haven't got the correct info right here on the laptop, but I'll look into it.

You mean the Clean Feed or my dennisgonzalez.com?

I think that jaka was referring to your dennisgonzalez.com website, Dennis. As I'm sure you're aware, that's a far easier URL to remember than your lengthy AOL address.

I did a Google search of your name today and that (dennisgonzalez.com) URL was at the top of the page in #1 position, so I clicked on it, only to discover that it wouldn't load.

Your AOL page is #5 on the list, but at least you garner 6 of the top 7 spots on Google. Or, are you playing volleyball at UCLA in your spare time?

[jaka]

Ron's right. I was referring to the dg.com website.
Maybe the hosting is the problem and maybe not. I'll check the files on the server as soon as I have my 'production' machine at hand and the server connection info in it.



Hi Mary, I'm doing quite fine. Just had a massage to ease up the pressure.
How are you? The girls? Passe leur le bonjour.

[Nitya]

Dennis, haven't logged in for awhile. Please give Stefan my best for a speedy recovery. Been conversing with your Cleanfeed stable mate Mark O'Leary lately. He is both musician and teacher and also knows Terje Rypdal. Sounds like you guys might hit it off. Told me JH uses an Eventide Processor to get his sound. Jon is very close mouthed about the equipment he uses so this came as news to me. Is that what you use in your "for Jon Hassell" jam?

[Ron Thorne]

Hi, jaka.

Glad that you got a massage to help with the "pressure cooker" work environment you're in.

We spoke fondly of you at the Consortium Library yesterday when another chapter of the Dobie Losben Memorial Collection unfolded. More on that on JC soon.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

I think that jaka was referring to your dennisgonzalez.com website, Dennis. As I'm sure you're aware, that's a far easier URL to remember than your lengthy AOL address.

I did a Google search of your name today and that (dennisgonzalez.com) URL was at the top of the page in #1 position, so I clicked on it, only to discover that it wouldn't load.

Your AOL page is #5 on the list, but at least you garner 6 of the top 7 spots on Google. Or, are you playing volleyball at UCLA in your spare time?

Thanks for the clarification. I know the AOL address is lengthy, but the dennisgonzalez.com (Talismans) site is not only a dinosaur, it is now a historical relic. I don't know html either, so I have to rely on good friends to update it for me, and I am tired of asking, even when my friends have been wonderful to me about updating my website. So I am working almost exclusively with the AOL site, which I can work on myself from my home computer.

I have had complaints about how confusing the Talismans site is from a lot of people, and the webmaster who put it together ended up putting up over 750 pages, and in trying to clean it up, it just became more confusing.

So if you can wade through the Google search links that come up and finally end up at Dennis Gonzalez Jazz News , that's where all the current stuff is happening!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Ron's right. I was referring to the dg.com website.
Maybe the hosting is the problem and maybe not. I'll check the files on the server as soon as I have my 'production' machine at hand and the server connection info in it.

I'll PM you and tell you exactly what the problem is, jaka!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Dennis, haven't logged in for awhile. Please give Stefan my best for a speedy recovery. Been conversing with your Cleanfeed stable mate Mark O'Leary lately. He is both musician and teacher and also knows Terje Rypdal. Sounds like you guys might hit it off. Told me JH uses an Eventide Processor to get his sound. Jon is very close mouthed about the equipment he uses so this came as news to me. Is that what you use in your "for Jon Hassell" jam?

Mark and I have promised to play together sometime in the future. He played with my partner Rodrigo Amado and his quartet back in the summer. Don't know exactly what happened with that, but I don't think it worked out very well from hints I've gotten from some people.

I use a very simple setup with Electric Yells At Eels...a Digitech Whammy octave divider running in stereo around my original analog mono trumpet note. It's all I can handle for right now and all I really need.



I love Hassell!

[Ron Thorne]

You addressed most of my questions, Dennis.

I guess that the item below answers the remaining question as to whether or not you're also playing volleyball at UCLA in your spare time.

Dennis Gonzalez

Class: RS Senior Hometown: San Juan, PR High School: Colegio San Ignacio Height / Weight: 6-2 / 185 Position: Setter

Oops. Guess not.

[Nitya]

I use a very simple setup with Electric Yells At Eels...a Digitech Whammy octave

Nils uses a Whammy II here is his explanation of how he gets his sound:

"I have a completely clean trumpet microphone, an [Electro-Voice] RE20, that just goes to front of house. And on the electronic side—well, it happened by coincidence, how I’ve discovered some of these things. I was using a Danish effect box, which is basically used for guitars. It has a very good harmonizer. It’s made by TC Electronic. So I was connecting this unit to a Whammy [harmonizing, pitch-bending pedal]—an old Whammy, a Whammy-2. It’s the black one; I don’t think they make them anymore. So it’s more of a stepless harmonizer, so you can go [his voice gliding up and down], “wheeeeeeeeeeooooooo!” But then you can also take it in very small steps. And I just connect it to one of the sides, because it’s sort of a fake stereo. It’s mono in and stereo out. And then I found I can make progressions just by using some specific programs on the Whammy, because the left side is static and the right side is movable. So you can create harmonic progressions."

See: www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=23039 for the entire interview.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

I guess that the item below answers the remaining question as to whether or not you're also playing volleyball at UCLA in your spare time.

Oops. Guess not.

Ron! I've been racking my brain trying to think of something clever to say about that, but it just won't come.

I will, however, announce here that Not Two Records in Krakow, Poland, has agreed to put out the first recording of the two we did in Dallas last winter with Alvin Fielder and Chris Parker and my boys. The second one was bought by Clean Feed and put out with Alvin Fielder leading, called A Measure of Vision, which got rave reviews, and which I consider to be a fine album...especially since we got Alvin to put it out as his first recording as a leader!

This first recording of the two is called The Gift of Discernment, and also features Leena Conquest on vocals. The boys think it's a better CD than A Measure of Vision, but I think they're equal.

This is my mockup for the back page of the CD booklet:

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Nils uses a Whammy II here is his explanation of how he gets his sound:

"I have a completely clean trumpet microphone, an [Electro-Voice] RE20, that just goes to front of house. And on the electronic side—well, it happened by coincidence, how I’ve discovered some of these things. I was using a Danish effect box, which is basically used for guitars. It has a very good harmonizer. It’s made by TC Electronic. So I was connecting this unit to a Whammy [harmonizing, pitch-bending pedal]—an old Whammy, a Whammy-2. It’s the black one; I don’t think they make them anymore. So it’s more of a stepless harmonizer, so you can go [his voice gliding up and down], “wheeeeeeeeeeooooooo!” But then you can also take it in very small steps. And I just connect it to one of the sides, because it’s sort of a fake stereo. It’s mono in and stereo out. And then I found I can make progressions just by using some specific programs on the Whammy, because the left side is static and the right side is movable. So you can create harmonic progressions."

See: www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=23039 for the entire interview.

You know what's funny, Nitya? I use a completely nasty Shure vocal microphone to run mine through, mostly because the venues we play and the people we play for love the noise.

[CatBenson]

I've taken this post down, my apologies Dennis. My post wasn't intended to be hurtful, but came out that way. I do realize how difficult it is to be an artist today and in no way did I try to imply that your web site is a reflection of your talent. I saw it as simply a store front that needed a facelift and thought it was limiting your exposure.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

I always say that if you start off a conversation with, "No offense, but..." just don't even go there. As my brother says, "I've taken worse criticism from better folks", and that is a joke, Cat. I have dealt with criticism regarding my music, my lifestyle, the way I look, my family...you name it, it's been criticized. And it's usually not the criticism itself that is upsetting to me, because I have learned much from criticism. It's improved me in the long run, the criticism I have chosen to listen to, or if I've done things that are indefensible. That's what positive (even positive negative) criticism is all about.

But to call one out publicly instead of by PM ("Your website is terrible...screams Mickey Mouse to me...") is a bit much for anybody. You have great suggestions, and I wonder with so much on the ball, why I'd never heard of you before? And which if I had extra money I would gladly begin updating, but the initial way you put it is a bit disconcerting. Even the 8th graders I teach know what common courtesy is.

So, OK, this is what I'll do. I'll let you actually lay out an opening page and send it to me, and if it's going to help me in the long run - and I truly feel you are on my side, not just slamming me - I'll let you adapt my website for me. Another thing you should know is that there is history behind your suggestion for the JazzCorner - Dennis Gonzalez connection that you are not aware of. First of all, I am not a "Jazz Corner artist" and so I'm not listed on the opening page for that reason. Lois has just been kind enough to allow me to be a part of this forum.

PayPal and I don't agree on a lot of things...those reasons are political and actual, and a bit of research by anyone using Paypal will point out those things to anybody who will look for them.

Actually, I do rather well selling my CD's from my website...much better than any other system I've used in the past. It doesn't work for all who would like to order - only 99%, but people who want to really hear my music can find a way efficiently to do so, and the way I ask for payment works fine if one is willing to take the time to do it. If it doesn't fit your busy lifestyle or your financial style, no prob. Anyone else who doesn't feel like they want to do that will go to Downtown Music Gallery's or any other number of distributors I recommend, lay down a credit card, and have their stuff within a week or so. My ordering system gets you your product within 1,2, or 3 days depending on where you are and how much you want to pay. To Europe and the UK it's a week. Or overnight if you want. And I have damn good prices!

But to satisfy your curiosity - and not that you can believe what all these other people say about my music - PM me with your mailing address and I will send you a package of CD's for your birthday or Christmas or whatever celebration you choose as soon as I get the address! And the CD with Kohlhase I'll send along, although it is one of my more "out" releases...Charlie shines on this one!

Oh, and by the way, being the professional I am, I have been giving away - for free - complete CD downloads of the CD material I own on the other site - if you've been reading this forum the past week, you know that site has been on the fritz for a really interesting reason, but will be back up soon. And then you can download all you want - for free!

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

It's difficult to find information...

The main links out of the front page are fairly clearly marked, and if the info you're looking for is to be found on the website, it's pretty easy to find. And of course, if it's not there to be found no amount of searching will bring it up...what information were you looking for?

[Dennis Gonzalez]

As jaka has pointed out, Clean Feed has just released my newest CD, which features Ellery Eskelin on tenor, Mark Helias on bass, and Michael T.A Thompson on drums...a live CD recorded at the now-defunct Tonic in New York. Some of y'all were there!

I'll get my copies by the beginning of next week, maybe even by Friday, depending on how fast DHL is.

If you'd like to pre-order, I have the best prices in town, especially for a European pressing! Soon's they're here, I'll send them out to you. Just visit the Ordering Page...!

Front cover photo taken by Ziga Koritnik in the waning days of Tonic:

[Ron Thorne]

You'll be hearing from me very soon, bro.

Thanks for the heads up, jaka!

[CatBenson]

I'll send you a PM. I do want to hear your work. I expect to pay full price too.

I slapped this together out of guilt. I may add to it this weekend if I have time.

[jaka]

As jaka has pointed out, Clean Feed has just released my newest CD, which features Ellery Eskelin on tenor, Mark Helias on bass, and Michael T.A Thompson on drums...a live CD recorded at the now-defunct Tonic in New York. Some of y'all were there!

And Clean Feed now have the title corrected on their website. Lobbying works!





.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Glad to hear this date has finally been released, Dennis. That was a great night. It was the first time I heard Michael T.A. Thompson. Nice. Wasn't that the night the original drummer, Gerald Cleaver, couldn't make the date? Well, with all due respect to Mr. Cleaver, it was our gain that Mr. Thompson took over. I'll be ordering this one. Hey, maybe if I insult you I'll get it for free.

[jazzy mary]

The page Cat put together looks pretty good! I don't have any difficulty navigating Dennis' website. The only thing I would suggest is that it's not a real "clean" layout--I find all the swirls & the dark print make things a little hard to read.

Cat, you'll be glad to hear to hear Dennis' music. I have a feeling, Cat, given your intelligence & your contrite nature (I never saw the original post) and Dennis' sweet heart & loving nature, that not only will you dig Dennis' music but I bet you two will become friends! You heard it here first, folks.

Dennis, I can't wait to hear the new albums!!!!
xoxox

[Mike Schwartz]

As jaka has pointed out, Clean Feed has just released my newest CD, which features Ellery Eskelin on tenor, Mark Helias on bass, and Michael T.A Thompson on drums...a live CD recorded at the now-defunct Tonic in New York. Some of y'all were there!

I'll get my copies by the beginning of next week, maybe even by Friday, depending on how fast DHL is.

If you'd like to pre-order, I have the best prices in town, especially for a European pressing! Soon's they're here, I'll send them out to you. Just visit the Ordering Page...!

Front cover photo taken by Ziga Koritnik in the waning days of Tonic:

I have seen the cover photo what seems like at least a few weeks ago.....I can't remember where at the moment, but probably a link at Clean Feed.

Nice to exchange messages with you 'D'

[Dennis Gonzalez]

You'll be hearing from me very soon, bro.

Thanks for the heads up, jaka!

I heard from ya! Yeeaahhh! We struck a great deal, didn't we, Ron? I like that type of fun.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

I've taken this post down, my apologies Dennis. My post wasn't intended to be hurtful, but came out that way. I do realize how difficult it is to be an artist today and in no way did I try to imply that your web site is a reflection of your talent. I saw it as simply a store front that needed a facelift and thought it was limiting your exposure.

Hey Cat, I understand your intention, and that's why I said in my post to you "...I truly feel you are on my side...". I've also had people offering their expertise in updating and upgrading since you posted, so your challenge was seen and read by lots of people who want to help...plus I cleaned up my site a bit to make it clearer and easier to understand and more accessible. So you see, no matter how much I bitch and moan, I do listen.

I posted the new CD Soothsayer's Tongue on my site yesterday late and then sent out e-mails to advertise it, and in an hour, I had processed 45 orders for it (all pre-orders, mind you), and at this hour the orders are still coming in steadily. At this rate, I'll have to reorder from Clean Feed even before I get my initial shipment!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

I'll send you a PM. I do want to hear your work. I expect to pay full price too.

I slapped this together out of guilt. I may add to it this weekend if I have time.

Let me know, man...and let's have a look at that mockup then.