Ask Jaleel Shaw

Lois Gilbert · July-18th-2004, 04:14 AM

Jaleel, I have a lot of questions but I'll start off with:

How important do you think a formal education is, if you just want to perform?
And how did musicians like Byard Lancaster mentor you?

Jaleel · July-18th-2004, 07:21 PM

Well, to be honest.. I never thought I would be going to school. When I was coming up, I saw Roy Hargrove and Antonio Hart and all the other young musicians performing and releasing album after album. I guess this was the "young lion" era. It seemed as though EVERYONE was gigging. I thought it was going to be an easy road....
On the other hand. I knew when I was 13 that I wanted to go to either Berklee College of Music or Manhattan School of Music. So, when it was time for me to graduate from High School, I realized it was going to be a little harder to begin a career as a jazz musician at 18yrs old than I thought and I knew that I would definitely be going to college.
I ended up getting a Full scholarship to Berklee and although I wanted to dual major in composition and Performance, my private teacher at the time convinced me to pursue Music Education. So I ended up doing the dual major in Music Education and Performance. During my last semester at Berklee, the head of the Music ed. dept. sat the graduating class down and told us our degrees would basically be useless unless we had our masters. And so... I went to get my masters at Manhattan School of Music.
Overall, I didn't plan on teaching unless I ultimately had too. But, a year after I got the masters degree I got a call from Terrel Stafford asking if had my masters and if I wanted to teach at Temple University part time. I hadn't thought about teaching at on the college level, but I accepted the job.
So I guess I'm glad I went the college route. I LOVED every minute I spent in Boston at Berklee. It was a great environment and I would recommend it before trying to pursue a career in NY. I actually played more in Boston than I do now... Also, now that I'm in NY, I don't have to rely on gigs to eat!
As for Byard Lancaster, I met him maybe a year after I began playing. He took me under his wing for a few years and had me sit in on his gigs and even took me out on the street with him to make a few $$$. He would call every once in a while to see what I've been up to and to drop a few ideas on me. Hope this wasn't too long... - LEEL

BassKat · July-20th-2004, 03:10 PM

Hey Jaleel. I'm a young upright bass player and I'll be a sr. in high school next year so I figured its time to start lookin for colleges. I've always wanted to go to Berklee School of Music so thats my number 1 pick. I'm planning on auditioning on tape because of where I live. What should I be practicing to get ready for auditioning? What should I have on my tape? Thanks for the help. Brian

Jaleel · July-20th-2004, 05:53 PM

Hey man,
Where do you live? I think sending in an audition tape is cool, but going to the live audition could help even more...
As far as what to practice, I think it's important to get your sight reading together, jazz reportoire, ear training ( you should be transcribing now ), and improv skills. I think Berklee is the best choice hands down... - LEEL

Jaleel · November-22nd-2004, 12:40 AM

zzzzzzzzz

jazzfiend · November-22nd-2004, 02:35 PM

Interesting comment, Jaleel.

But when will I be able to hear you play? Alto sax is my fave instrument. The most interesting player i've heard recently is John O'Gallagher. Have you heard him yet? Have you got a cd out yet, or a cdr I can get my mitts on? Thanks.

Jaleel · November-24th-2004, 01:57 AM

I have some mp3's on my website... www.jaleelshaw.com.. Check em out..

Valerie · February-2nd-2006, 12:20 PM

ASCAP Names Young Jazz Composers Winners

THE ASCAP FOUNDATION NAMES WINNERS
OF ANNUAL YOUNG JAZZ COMPOSER AWARDS

New York, NY, February 1, 2006: ASCAP Foundation President Marilyn Bergman has announced the winners of the 2005/2006 ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards. This program, established in 2002, was created to encourage gifted jazz composers from throughout the United States. The winners, who range in age from 13 to 30, are selected through a juried national competition. They receive cash awards, and will be recognized at the annual ASCAP Jazz Wall event in New York on June 21, 2006.

Commenting on the awards, Marilyn Bergman said, "The young talents nurtured by this program represent the future of this uniquely American art form. We congratulate the recipients and extend thanks to the dedicated panel of ASCAP composers who selected the winners."

The 2005/2006 ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award recipients are
listed with their current residence and places of origin: Omar Alvarado,
23, Dallas, TX; Chris Blacker, 25, Seattle, WA; Daniel Blake, 24, Malden,
MA; Jonathan Blake, 29, Paterson, NJ; Michael Blanco, 29, Astoria, NY;
Patrick Cornelius, 27, Astoria, NY; Zaccai Curtis, 26, Windsor, CT; Jeff
Fairbanks, 26, Flushing, NY; Ross Garren, 25, Carmel, CA; Alex Han, 23,
Scottsdale, AZ; Julie Hardy, 29, Brooklyn, NY; Ethan Herr, 28, Englewood,
NJ; Ayn Inserto, 29, Boston, MA; Pascal Le Boeuf, 19, Santa Cruz, CA; Remy
Le Boeuf, 19, Santa Cruz, CA; Yotam Rosenbaum, 29, Culver City, CA; Scott
Routenberg, 28, Miami, FL; Sam Sadigursky, 26, Brooklyn, NY; Kyle Saulnier,
25, Cheshire, CT; Perry Smith, 22, Tiburon, CA; Loren Stillman, 25,
Brooklyn, NY; Erica Von Kleist, 23, New York, NY; Ezra Weiss, 26,
Scottsdale, AZ.

The following composers were recognized with Honorable Mention: Jarrett
Cherner, 24, San Anselmo, CA; David Guidi, 27, Austin, TX; Ross Lafleur,
24, Charlotte, NC; Michael MacAllister, 23, Boston, MA; Bob Reynolds, 28,
Astoria, NY; Peter Robbins, 27, Brooklyn, NY; Sylvester Sands, 26, Orange,
CT; Jaleel Shaw, 27, Paterson, NJ; Kris Tiner, 28, Bakersfield, CA.

The youngest ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer winners range in age from 13 to 18 and are listed by state of residence: Morgan Jones, age 18 (CA); Jay Rattman, age 18 (PA); Matt Savage, age 13 (NH); Ted Taforo, age 16 (CA).

The following composers were recognized with Honorable Mention: Jimmy
Macbride, age 14 (CT); Jacob Siegel, age 17 (MN).

The ASCAP composer/judges for the 2004/2005 competition were John Fedchock, Jay Leonhart, and Rufus Reid.

Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization
dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their
development through music education and talent development programs.
Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards,
recognition and community outreach programs, and public service projects
for senior composers and lyricists. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by
contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the
United States.

# # #

ribot_for_president · February-2nd-2006, 02:12 PM

Definite congrats in order, I've absolutely been loving Jaleel's Perspective since I finally got my hands on a copy a couple weeks ago. I forget who it was with, but I saw Jaleel blowing hard one night over at the Jazz Gallery and psyched to see he's getting some more recognition.

Jonathan Blake, 29,

I assume this is the drummer Johnathan Blake who plays on Jaleel's album and also holds it down all over NYC?

jazzy mary · February-2nd-2006, 03:44 PM

I reckon it is. And isn't Julie Hardy the JC poster too?? Congrats to her too. And to you, Jaleel.

jazzfiend · February-2nd-2006, 04:19 PM

Congrats, Jaleel!

Just received Perspective last week, and it's smokin'! You sound fully formed on your first release. Wonderful writing and playing, and you chose such marvelous bandmates to join you. Bravo!

Mike Schwartz · February-12th-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzfiend

Congrats, Jaleel!

Just received Perspective last week, and it's smokin'! You sound fully formed on your first release. Wonderful writing and playing, and you chose such marvelous bandmates to join you. Bravo!

Ditto here!

Also really dug your contibutions on the Mingus Big Band at Yoshi's.

"Perspective" just got it's first play at KSJS today and www.ksjs.org

Blake was on the Mingus Band as well...

Jaleel · February-16th-2006, 06:44 PM

Hey guys,
Thank you soo much for your kind words and for checking out the album (and playing it Mike!!!)... I'm hoping to get into the studio some time this spring to do the next one! I'll let you know when it's done!

iris · February-24th-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

I reckon it is. And isn't Julie Hardy the JC poster too?? Congrats to her too. And to you, Jaleel.

thanks jazzy mary - i'm very excited. actually jaleel and i just played together at Sweet Rhythm and he played on the tune that i won the award with - "No Turning Back". Jaleel: you're great. Sorry to miss you tonight/......i think you are playing tonight.?. have a blast!

Jaleel · March-8th-2006, 10:59 PM

Yes thanks Jazzy Mary... And Julie... It was great playing with you at Sweet Rhythm... Your writing and scatting your tail off!!

sacha · March-19th-2006, 04:49 AM

Hello Jaleel !
My name is Sacha, I am 15 and I am french ( I live in Bordeaux ) so excuse me for my bad english. I am a saxophonist ( alto,tenor and baritone ).
I'm very fond of the Mingus Big Band's music. I saw you with this band the last summer ( wednesday july the 6th ) in Floirac ( near Bordeaux ). It was very great. I spoke with Abraham Burton.
You play very well !
Do you know when the next CD of the Mingus Big Band ( Live at Ronnie's Scott ) will be avalaible ?
And will the MBB in France go ?
Thanks to answer me.
Sacha.

Jaleel · April-2nd-2006, 01:40 AM

Sacha,
I think you emailed me a long time ago. I'm sorry I didn't get around to responding to that email. I don't think the Live at Ronnie Scotts CD is ever coming out. I'm not sure if the Mingus Big Band will be in France this summer... There's supposed to be a tour, but I don't know much about it. I will respond to your email tomorrow... Sorry again and I hope y ou are well...

ribot_for_president · April-3rd-2006, 03:32 PM

Jaleel, looking forward to the Hargrove Big Band performance tommorow night.

sacha · April-8th-2006, 07:18 AM

Ok Jaleel. I search your record ( Perspective ) in France but I don't found it ( it's difficult to find an american record in France ).

mke · April-8th-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacha

Ok Jaleel. I search your record ( Perspective ) in France but I don't found it ( it's difficult to find an american record in France ).

It shouldn't be too hard to find, as it's on Fresh Sound New Talent...

Jaleel · April-8th-2006, 01:03 PM

LOL.... Trust me... Fresh Sound Records are very hard to find... I went to Europe in October and surprised to find that the record was hardly available in any stores out there.... It's available through my website- www.jaleelshaw.com

Jaleel · April-8th-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribot_for_president

Jaleel, looking forward to the Hargrove Big Band performance tommorow night.

Cool, Hope you enjoyed it... - LEEL

sacha · April-8th-2006, 03:32 PM

Jaleel, I sent a new message but I think it didn't arrive. So I wrote it again.
Thanks for your answer. Yes, it's difficult to find a Fresh Sound Records in France ( I found a Craig Handy's record but it was difficult ). I will buy "Perspective" in your website.
How long have you played the saxohone ?
I hope you will come in France with the MBB because I can't go in the USA to see you.
See you sonn.
Sacha.

Jaleel · April-14th-2006, 03:34 AM

Sascha, thank you for purchasing my cd. I really appreciate it. I've been playing the sax since I was nine... So that makes it 19 years now...

sacha · April-25th-2006, 02:01 PM

Hello Jaleel !
I search everywhere some videos of the Mingus Big Band. I know that many videos are on the official website of the MBB. But I search new movies ( 2005 ). I like play the saxophone with this songs and videos. Do you know where I can found this videos ?
Thank you.
Sacha

Jaleel · April-28th-2006, 11:59 PM

sasha, I don't think any of those video's of the mingus big band are available now. If you're lucky.. you might find a site online that my have some bootleg performances... I know there have been quite a few Mingus band performances in Europe that someone may have caught on TV and taped... I just don't have them..

Ben Miller · May-18th-2006, 08:46 AM

Jaleel-

1) You posted earlier about transcribing and practicing, so what...do you...practice, and how often do you transcribe, who...and what are you spinning...

please comment on the following players:
2) Marcus Strickland
3) Steve Coleman
4) Lionel Loueke
5) Andy Milne
6) Miles Davis

Jaleel · May-24th-2006, 12:03 PM

Ok... I just wrote a loong response... and it didn't go through.. aaaand I lost everything I just typed so.. this wont be as long as the first unfortunately... But here it goes...
Basically.. I'm practicing new tunes, etudes, technical exercises, and sound. I also try to transcribe as often as possible. I'm basically checking out Sonny Rollins right now.

And the Cats... Marcus Strickland is one of the first cats I befriended when I moved to NY. We eventually started a band called Prosody and needless to say, we had fun with that group. I've always been into playing Quintet with a Tenor Saxophonist. Marcus is a baad cat and I'm glad he took the business by the horns and put his new cd out on his own. That's something you're going to see more of us doing in the future.

Steve Coleman is a great musician with an amazing original concept. I checked out alot of Steve's music during my Berklee years, but I didn't get to see him live until I moved to the NY area. He's been a huge influence on not only saxophonist, but many musicians of my generation.

Andy Milne... I haven't checked out at all.. But I'm on it..

Lionel Loueke... Another baad cat with an amazing original concept. We studied at Berklee together and I heard alot about him while I was there, but I actually didn't get to hear him until last year. If you haven't checked him out with Gretchen Parlato, I strongly recommend it.

Miles Davis was one of the most influencial musicians of any genre. What I love about him is that he was open to all kinds of music and he let those different genres into his music. He had no boundries and he always stayed true to his heart. He didn't care what the critics or the people thought.. He had that confidence and security that let him do whatever he wanted to do...

sandruloni · August-3rd-2007, 01:27 PM

Hey Jaleel,
I wanted to start by saying that the arrangement of Grand Central is awesome. I really dig the syncopation of the melody.
Secondly I wanted to ask what you mouthpiece set up is? I'm trying to find the best mouthpiece for me, but I figured I'd check out the set ups of some players whose sound I admire. Also, what do you look for in a mouthpiece/reed/horn combination?
Again the music is killin'.

Jaleel · August-11th-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandruloni

Hey Jaleel,
I wanted to start by saying that the arrangement of Grand Central is awesome. I really dig the syncopation of the melody.
Secondly I wanted to ask what you mouthpiece set up is? I'm trying to find the best mouthpiece for me, but I figured I'd check out the set ups of some players whose sound I admire. Also, what do you look for in a mouthpiece/reed/horn combination?
Again the music is killin'.

Thanks.. I've been trying to arrange more standards or rare gems lately.. I'm glad you liked Grand Central! Right now I use a Vandoren V16 A5 mouthpiece with a Superial Yellow box #3 1/2 or 4. When it comes to the mouthpiece and horn, I look for intonation, resistance, balance (do I hear/feel the same volume and brightness/darkness on every note?), and control (which can be looked at as resistance I guess). I want a setup that's going to get me as close to the sound I hear in my head as possible...