Andrew Boscardin: Composer & Guitarist newsletter

What's Summer without these guys?

Happy July, Newsies!

This month is going to be action-packed for Zubatto Syndicate. We'll be playing the first day of the Sounds Outside festival at Cal Anderson Park on July 17th. We go on at 4pm, but the whole day is free, so come down and hear some fantastic music. I'm thrilled to be a part of this festival and not just because I can walk to the gig. I've been a fan of the festival myself for years and have attended as often as possible. It's such a gift just to have live music in Cal Anderson during the Summer, and to have it be as adventurous and high-quality as the organizers have succeeded in presenting year after year is a real joy.

And did someone say "new song?" They probably did. New song.

You can see the whole line-up and schedule here: Sounds Outside

WHAT: Zubatto Syndicate at Sounds Outside
WHEN: July 17th, 4pm
WHERE: Cal Anderson Park, Seattle
HOW MUCH: Free!

Speaking of Sounds Outside, this is the 5th year for the festival and it has been growing each year by leaps and bounds. This year, the organizers have run into a tougher time raising funds in the current economic climate and some previous sponsors have been unable to come through. This festival depends solely on community support through grants and donations and they need your help!

If you can, please consider giving a few dollars to Sounds Outside. It's a truly good cause and goes right to making the performances possible.

You can donate here:Sounds Outside Online Benefit

** More news **

Due to some last-minute scheduling stuff, I've pushed back the dates for my Summer Composition Workshop to August 9th. There's still room, so if you're interested or know anyone interested, send them my way!

http://www.teachstreet.com/seattle-wa/music-composition/summer-workshop/cl-eliqpi4oyo

"Four-Color Heroes!" is now pay-what-you-want on Bandcamp! Download the album for any amount, ranging from free to more-than-free, whatever your conscience dictates. You can get the CD for anything from $1 up (plus shipping). Tell your friends.

Download it now on Bandcamp!

The last bit of July news is that more news is imminent, but not quite ready to be announced. Look for a big (12-piece big) announcement later in the month, probably right after the show on the 17th. Mystery and anticipation are good things, right? Right.

** Some quick hits from my blog **

* A Tee Party (sic) for 10 lucky Zubatto Syndicate fans.

* On the occasion of joining the local Musicians' Union.

* David Byrne, Zubatto and Writing Music for Specific Venues.

* Have you seen the T.A.M.I. Show? Well, go rent it. It's a legendary concert film from 1964 that lives up to its reputation in every way. Live performances from the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, the Rolling Stones, the Miracles and some guy in a cape named James Brown who has the ability to travel 46 years forward through time and make the hair on the back of your neck stand all the way UP. Also, ridiculous "teen" dancing from 1964.

More about the T.A.M.I. Show

That's it for July! Hope to see you at Sounds Outside in a couple of weeks!

Happy June Everyone! Or (if you are in Seattle), Happy Junuary. Hopefully it will be Summer here before it is Winter again.

The big news is that I'm working on preparations for Zubatto Syndicate to go into the studio later this year and make our very first album. As you might imagine, coordinating such an endeavor with a 12-piece band is a little complicated. There will be much more about the recording process next month, but I'm really excited to get this music down and out there to all of you.

In the meantime, there is still plenty of excitement going on.

** Workshop! **
If you are in the Seattle area, I'm going to be giving a workshop on composing, harmony, theory, and who-knows-what-else. It's going to be very hands-on and interactive, with an emphasis on participants' own projects. If you are interested, or know someone who might want to further their musical craft, you can read more here:

http://www.teachstreet.com/seattle-wa/music-composition/summer-workshop/...

The day/time is not set in stone, so get in touch if you'd like to hear more but don't like the scheduling. If this works out, I'm hoping to do more of these, maybe online with Ustream or something similar.

** Zubatto in the Park (like Shakespeare, only louder) **
Also for Seattle folks: Zubatto will be playing on July 17th at Cal Anderson Park, as part of the Sounds Outside Festival. We play at 4pm, but there will be great music all day, so come check it out. I hear it might be sunny too.

** Zubatto Syndicate on Facebook **
Zubatto has a Facebook page which you can like or be a fan of or completely ignore. Right now, there isn't much happening, but it should be hopping soon. Jump on board.
http://www.facebook.com/zubattosyndicate

** Some quick hits **

* My thoughts on the late, great Ronnie James Dio.
http://www.boscology.com/d/node/612

* Did you miss our performance on Seattle Channel's Front Row? It's online here:
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=6010916

That's it for June! See you back here next month.

best,
-andrew boscardin
http://www.boscology.com/d/

Hello News Fans,

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying whatever weirdo weather Spring is tossing your way. Perhaps you are reading this on your new iPad, or maybe you still get my newsletter delivered by carrier pigeon. Whatever your delivery method of choice, this month's news boils down to one word: Crocodile.

In just one week, Zubatto Syndicate will begin its infiltration of Seattle's rock establishment, at the site of a most elite and legendary venue. Whether this is the beginning of a full-on invasion, or just a one-time incursion across the borders of a neighboring musical fiefdom remains to be seen. It is in your hands.

Tickets are on sale here:
http://thecrocodile.com/index.html?page=calendar&event=3580773

I am incredibly excited about this show. If you don't know us, or missed our inaugural performance in November, Zubatto Syndicate is a 12-piece group that combines big band jazz with rock, funk, hip-hop and whatever else we can cram in there. We are extremely fortunate to be joined by the Owcharuk 5, hot off of the release of their new CD "Kobzar," and Water Babies, hot off of being damn funky. This is going to be a great show and one you don't want to miss. Please, we even have a "Tax Day" surprise in the bag, a one-time-only tune which you'll only get to hear at this show (unless we book something on April 15 next year).

If you are in Seattle, come to this show. If you are not in Seattle, come to this show. Or at least tell some of your Seattle friends.

WHAT: Zubatto Syndicate, Owcharuk 5 and Water Babies
WHEN: April 15, 2010. Doors at 8pm.
WHERE: The Crocodile, 2200 2nd Avenue
HOW MUCH: $8 adv/ $10 day of show

Zubatto Syndicate is:
Byron Vannoy – drums
Chris Stover – trombone
Greg Sinibaldi – bass clarinet and tenor saxophone
Francine Peterson – bassoon
Chad McCullough – trumpet
Janet Putnam– oboe and English horn
Tim Carey – bass
Mack Grout – keys
Clark Gibson – alto saxophone
Jim DeJoie – baritone saxophone
Jesse Canterbury – clarinet
Andrew Boscardin – guitar

I hope to see you there!

best,
-andrew boscardin

http://www.boscology.com/d/

Seeing yourself on TV is fun!

Happy March Newsies!

Exciting news and announcements abound, so let's get to it.

* Zubatto Syndicate at the Crocodile, 4/15. Seattle friends, mark your calendars for April 15th. Okay, mark your calendars a second time for April 15th under the skull and crossbones. Zubatto Syndicate will be playing Seattle's legendary Crocodile along with Owcharuk 5 and Water Babies. This is one show not to be missed! You can stop by on your way from the Post Office. Doors at 8pm. $8/adv, $10/day of show.
Tickets: http://thecrocodile.com/index.html?page=calendar&event=3580773

* Zubatto on TV (on the internet). Zubatto Syndicate's debut performance in November was recently broadcast on the Seattle Channel's Front Row. Now you can enjoy the experience of having Zubatto in your very own living room, without scrambling to find enough folding chairs or ticking off the neighbors.
http://www.seattlechannel.org/schedule/programDetails.asp?title=6010916

* Zubatto Syndicate has a website. Still looking for a posse. Apply here. http://zubattosyndicate.com/

* Hard to believe, but it was one year ago that "Four-Color Heroes!" was released, thanks in no small part to all of your support. To celebrate, you can buy a copy of the CD, plus download, from Bandcamp for one American dollar plus shipping, with coupon code BIRTHDAY (until 3/20/2010). http://www.boscology.com/d/node/546

* Are you on Twitter? Follow me for news, updates, links and what I'm making for lunch. http://twitter.com/abosco

That's it for this month. More news next month, including a couple of big announcements and more urgent pleading to finish your taxes early so you can make it to the Crocodile!

best,
-andrew boscardin

http://www.boscology.com/d/

Hello again and whoops!

Somehow I managed to send out my December newsletter with a bunch of unrendered HTML in it. Magic? Probably not. Pilot error? Getting warmer.

In any case, here is a link to the newsletter on my website. Much easier to read.

http://www.boscology.com/d/node/519

Sorry for the multiple emails. Happy Holidays!
-andrew boscardin

http://www.boscology.com/d/

Hello Newsies!

It's nearly 2010, but there's still time to squeeze in a December newsletter before the ball drops. There's not much to report, but this seems like the perfect time to send out a huge "Thank-you" to all of you for your support over the past year. 2009 was a huge year for me and for my music, and I owe to all of you.

I started off the year with the release of the Nickel & Brass Septet's (and my) first CD release "Four-Color Heroes!" and ended it with the debut of Zubatto Syndicate, a new 12-piece band that you'll be hearing more from in the coming year. In between there was a bunch of music-writing, CD-promoting, money-raising craziness.

Some other recent highlights:

* The Seattle Times recommended "Four-Color Heroes!" in it's "Top Jazz CDs of 2009" list.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2010525936_topjazz2...

* My friend and colleague, Jason Parker, included "F-CH!" in his "Top 10 Seattle Jazz CDs of 2009." The feeling is mutual. Check out Jason's new quartet/quintet CD "No More, No Less" - it's a fantastic record from the hardest working band in town.
http://oneworkingmusician.com/top-10-seattle-jazz-cds-of-2009

* The SunBreak recommends "Four-Color Heroes!" and its "bold, brawny sound" as a last minute holiday gift idea. Hope I can get it to their readers in time!
http://thesunbreak.com/2009/12/21/last-minute-gift-ideas-from-the-sunbre...

I am happy to report that the Zubatto Syndicate premiere concert was a big success, despite the last-minute venue change. We had a great turn-out and the audience seemed to really enjoy the new music. Going into the concert, I wanted to see if there would be enough demand for another large ensemble and a strong enough reaction to the music, to justify trying to make this a regular thing, and not just "a Very Special Episode." The answer, from where I was sitting, seemed to be a resounding "Yes. More please."

Also, my personal goal of creating a new Big Band sound that would have the young people dancing in the aisles was even more successful than I could have dreamed, as demonstrated in this amazing YouTube video from a concert-goer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWPbPNfngzQ

If you missed Zubatto Syndicate or live outside of the Seattle area, don't fret! The concert was filmed by the Seattle Channel and is going to be broadcast and released on the interwebs in January. Exact date to follow as soon as I have it! Also, there will be many more opportunities to hear the band in the Seattle area in 2010. If you want to hear the band outside of the Seattle area, that may be possible too - but we'll leave that until a later newsletter.

2010 is going to be Year of the Zubatto, but there will be some other cool projects as well. One is so awesome, I'm afraid that even alluding to it at all will jinx it. And I don't want to do that!

So, that's the not-so-much-news. Have a safe and happy holiday season and I'll see you back here in 2010!

best,
-andrew boscardin
http://www.boscology.com/d/

Hello again, Newsletter friends!

It's a brand new month but I'm still pushing the same story - but only for a few more days. That's because the Zubatto Syndicate premiere is just days away, on Thursday, November 5th at Town Hall.

I cannot express how excited I am for this show (but I'll try). It has been a metric ton (tonne?) of work putting together this music, this group of (amazing) musicians and all of the details of the concert in this (beautiful) venue. Much more work than went into that last Mad Libs sentence, clearly.

But all of that hard work won't be worth much without an audience to see the show and hear the music. So please, Seattle friends, come see this concert. Non-Seattle friends - forward this to your Seattle friends. I know you have some.

Tickets are available now. Sales are about 1/3 of the way to my target goal. And by target goal, I mean "not losing my shirt."

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/86349

But don't just take my word for how awesome Zubatto is going to be. Here's some recent Zubatto press.

* Seattle Magazine calls Zubatto "big band the way you’ve never heard it before" and advises you to "go so you can tell all the Johnny-come-latelies you heard it first." That's a pretty good reason.

http://www.seattlemag.com/0p66ev1530/zubatto-syndicate/

* The Sunbreak says "Boscardin's arrangements unfold in surprising ways--even the heavy woodwinds emphasis, with guitar and stand-up bass for strings, is unconventional. The solos are uncharted territory," and "If all goes well, you'll want to drop your pants."

Yikes, I'm not sure about that last part, but dancing in the aisles is strongly encouraged.

http://thesunbreak.com/2009/10/19/where-the-wild-jazz-things-are

So please join us!

That's it for November news - After the 5th, I'll be spending the month recovering and planning for the new year - but I'll be back next month with some cool Zubatto-related news.

best,
-andrew boscardin

What: Zubatto Syndicate
When: November 5, 2009 8pm
Where: Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle
Seattle, WA
How Much: $15 General, $5 Students
Why: Exciting, funky, loud new music for a 12-piece band
Parking is available in the Convention Center lot. Town Hall will provide vouchers for $4 parking.

The Zubatto Syndicate concert is presented with support from the City of Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Hello again,

Sorry to send a follow-up so soon, but I wanted to alert you to a change of plans for the upcoming Zubatto Syndicate concert on November 5th.

Have you ever had that dream where you show up for a big exam on the wrong day, maybe in your underwear? Well, newsletter friends, I had a dream where the Zubatto Syndicate showed up for the concert on the wrong night, probably in our skivvies, and it was all my fault. But thanks to a terrifying week of quick thinking, and the help and kindness of friends in high places, I'm here to tell you that it was all just a bad dream.

Happy Fall!

It has been a little while since the last newsletter, hasn't it? The lack of updates isn't due to a lack of activity - in fact, quite the opposite. I've been writing up a storm and getting ready for the premiere of my new group, Zubatto Syndicate in just a few short weeks.

"Zubatto Syndicate - what the heck is that?" you may be asking. Well, newsletter-reader, Zubatto Syndicate is my brand-spanking-new 12-piece band that will be presenting equally brand new music on November 5th at Town Hall on 8th Ave and Seneca. It is going to be a big band, but not quite like any Big Band you've heard before. This group combines jazz harmonies with electric instruments, rock, funk and hip-hop grooves, a gaggle of woodwinds and brass and whatever else turns up before November. We are going to make some glorious noise. The show starts at 8pm and is $5-15 sliding scale. The concert is being presented with the support of the City of Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

More about Zubatto on my website:
http://www.boscology.com/d/node/435

More after the jump!

Hello! In this latest newsletter, please find the following blockbuster content:

* What's with all of the spam?
* Release Party Photos and Report
* Nickel & Brass Septet @ The Chapel, May 2, 2009, 8pm. $5-15 sliding scale.
* Four-Color Heroes! News

* What's with all of the spam?