What a Summer!

It was busier than normal for me this past summer,even though I didn't do any touring. I focused on finishing projects here at home.

I am in the final stages of finishing my acoustic guitar CD. I am doing everything myself, producing, arranging,writing,mixing,editing,worrying (going to the Applestore and taking One To One Classes) . It takes hours doing this, but I am learning so much. My CD will feature all original tunes, on nylon and steel string guitar. Styles include ragtime, fingerstyle,modern jazz, calypso, bossa, new age, flamenco, my youtube rendition on Danny Boy and 99 Baloons as the only covers.



I did some recording work with alto saxophonist Carl Barlett Jr., which we rehearsed this one song. This was the hardest melody I ever had to learn. You'll be hearing alot from this guy.
I also did a recording session vocalist Lisa Kirchner, which was great.Willie Jones, Dwayne Burno, Xavier Davis, Vincente Archer and Sherman Irby were on the session as well. We did jazz renditions of classical composers Charles Ives, Leon Kirchner, among others.

Still holding the fort at Night of the Cookers with Greg Lewis-Organ and Chris Brown-Drums every friday in Fort Greene Brooklyn. Also every week with Sedric Choukroun at Brasserie Julien and at Private party agencies, Bud Maltin and Touch of Jazz. I had some fun performances with violinist Gwen Laster and bassist Damon Banks as well.

There so much other stuff that happened this summer, but I'll write about that later.

Peace, Ron

Danny Boy Irish Cover Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

This is my arrangement of "Danny Boy", with a modern twist, which will be featured in a future CD of traditional songs, anthems and ballads.Danny Boy, is widely considered an Irish anthem, although written by Englishman Frederick Weatherly, based on the Londonderry Air in 1910. Nonetheless, "Danny Boy" is considered by many Irish and Canadian Americans to be their unofficial signature song. Transcriptions and music is available for this arrangement.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Ron Jackson Solo Pick Fingerstyle Electric Guitar Ballad

First recorded by Judy Garland, another one of my favorite Christmas tunes. This is my arrangement with a reharmonized chords, bass pedals and modulations. This was also recorded by Christina Aguilera Gloria Estefan Kenny G The Jackson 5 Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan among many others.
http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
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"White Christmas" by Irving Berlin Ron Jackson Solo Swing Cover Pick Fingerstyle Electric Guitar

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Made famous by Bing Crosby, one of my favorite Christmas tunes written by Irving Berlin also sung by many others including Frank Sinatra.This is my arrangement of a swinging Christmas classic!

"A Christmas Song" Nat King Cole Ron Jackson Solo Pickstyle Fingerstyle Electric Guitar Ballad

My arrangement and rendition of a tune I have played many a time during the holidays. A classic ballad that's one of my favorites!

How to survive in the music business when it's always up and down.

In the music business it's either sink or swim!When it comes to gigs, either it's dead or it's crazy busy! You know the saying, "How do you make a musician complain?" ---"Give them a gig" I prefer to have a gig!! Sometimes I'll do some crazy things to make a gig. Here are some examples of some things I've done recently........
1.) Play a gig in the evening in New York,then drive 3 hours that same night to play in Maryland the next morning @ 7am then drive back 3 hours to Brooklyn,teach for 3 hours then make another gig that night.
2.) I was playing 3-5 gigs a day when I was performing at schools for Jazz at Lincoln Center a couple of weeks ago, the call times were so early, that I had to wake up @ 6am, sometimes drive for an hour, then play.
3.) Wake up with only 4 hours of sleep, teach for 7 hours, then play a duo gig(guitar and saxophone for 5 1/2 hours, while driving to make each gig.

It's rough trying to make all these jobs, I run on steam, trying to rest in bed in between some days so I don't get sick.
Here's the question?
"Is it worth it?"
Damn Right!!!!!
This is my career, not a job. I am one of the lucky musicians who can say when some straight 9-5ver asks, "What kind of work do you do?" I can proudly say, "I play music". They always look surprised!!!!
It's a tough business, it's takes more than just being a great musician to make a living. I'll write about that soon. Peace, Ron
http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com
http://www.youtube.com/balladmanbrooklyn
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Checkout my Reverbnation TunePack featuring tunes from my New CD,"Flubby Dubby"!!!

http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1869626