Rob Michael: Guitarist

This week’s “Forgotten” Atmos Trio tune: Bill Frisell’s “Is It Sweet?”

// November 17th, 2009 // Comments // Atmos Trio, Jazz, Joe Shotwell, Rob Michael, Soundcloud, widget

From a July 2004 session, "Is It Sweet" is a classic Bill Frisell piece that features a really cool "drunken" feel in the groove and some folky- country-blues tones.

Again, I'm offering a tune we played out of the love of playing. There are no edits or overdubs here.

Is It Sweet? I think so…
Is It Sweet by AtmosTrio

Another “Forgotten” Atmos Trio track: Stephanie’s Soliloquey (2004)

// November 11th, 2009 // Comments // Atmos Trio, Jazz, Joe Shotwell, Rob Michael, Soundcloud, widget

This offering is the sixth in an on-going series of “Forgotten Music“ that has been rediscovered after years of languishing on a hard drive. This music was never intended for release, but after sitting all this time, has been considered worthy, at least, to share. it may be that a “Forgotten Album” will emerge.

Recorded in July 2004. Atmos Trio wasn’t even recording an album–just sight-reading some charts.This is another beautiful Peter Sprague tune we used to play during our Monday morning jam sessions.

This song is something of a rarity in that it does not feature solos but instead, features the composition itself as the main character in this particular music tale.

Features Rob Michael on guitars, Joe Shotwell on bass and Jeff Obee on bass.

Stephanie’s Soliloquey by AtmosTrio

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Atmos Trio Monday morning sessions: Miles Davis’ Solar

// November 6th, 2009 // Comments // Atmos Trio, Jazz, Joe Shotwell, Rob Michael, Soundcloud, widget

The Atmos Trio first started out as an excuse to play in a very conversational way. We were (and still are) seeking a musical discussion that required no words. We were out to explore group improvisation but hopefully present it in such a way that it almost sounded composed.

For a time, our method of operation was to converge on my studio each Monday morning, throw up some mics, hit RECORD and just play. Here is a result of one of those session from July 2004.

Never intended for release, this recording of Solar really was a happy accident which was captured to disk. We played it and moved-on. Only during a later review of the session did we realize the level of musical interactivity that had apparently occurred earlier that day.

Here is your invitation to eavesdrop on our conversation.

Solar by AtmosTrio

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Clearing-out hard drive space and discovered these Forgotten Atmos Trio Tunes.

// October 29th, 2009 // Comments // Atmos Trio, Joe Shotwell, Rob Michael, Soundcloud, widget

These are live recordings that were never intended for release but that, upon reviewing years after the fact, seemed worthy of sharing with interested listeners.

These are from a time when the concept of The Atmos Trio was still crystalizing.

Hypothetical Premise-A live track that captured an early Atmos Trio as we tuned-up (2004). There is no preconceived composition– just a jam. We know what song sound like, so we made one up on the spot

Hypothical Premise by AtmosTrio

Kylie-Another nearly forgotten track from the Atmos Studio archives. This track was recorded live during the 1st year Atmos Trio started playing together.

This composition is by San Diego guitarist Peter Sprague. Peter was one of my favorite teachers from when I attended GIT in the late ’80’s. If he hears this–I hope he digs it.

Kylie by AtmosTrio

Lonely Woman-A beautiful masterpiece by the great Horace Silver. Recorded in 2005, this live performance features Rob Michael on steel-string acoustic guitar, Joe Shotwell on drums and Jeff Obee on six-string fret less electric bass.

Lonely Woman by AtmosTrio

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Olive & Vine w/ Cliff & Cynthia

// March 27th, 2009 // Comments // Cliff & Cynthia, Joe Shotwell, Rob Michael

Each month, Joe Shotwell & I play with bass player Cliff Hugo and his wife, vocalist Cynthia Tarr at the Olive & Vine in Glen Ellen. It’s a super fun gig. Here are some photos.

If you have attended one of these show and would like to share photos you’ve taken, please email them and be sure to put Cynthia Tarr as the subject.

See the entire Gallery here.