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Internet Jazzers make Collaborative EP: Building the “LegoLand Empire”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–my favorite use of the internet is collaborating with people you otherwise would probably not have even met.

Case-in-point is a new 4-song Electronic/Funk/ Jazz EP called “Guard the Point” organized by Allen Wentz. Allen masterminded this project and invited me and two other top-shelf musicians, Neil Alexander on keys and Trip Wamsley on bass to play. He even invited my favorite graphic artist Linda Palmer into the fray who always over-delivers: she produced different artwork for each song.

Trip and I have recorded together before and Neil has been on my short list of guys I wanted to do some playing with for some time.

It was great fun to get a new audio file from Allen every couple of weeks and see where I might fit into the musical landscape. It was pretty easy as all these players are super sharp, tasteful and generous.

So, here is the debut release from the LegoLand Empire “Guard the Point.” Please let us know what you think, share it on your favorite social network and buy it you’re so inclined–the whole EP is just $1.00.

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Have trouble making decisions? Behold, the Buy ‘EVERYTHING’ Button

by Rob Michael

“When you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” Neil Peart

Sometimes, you just need to things to be easy. To that end, I’m offering ALL of the music I’ve recorded thus far in one easy download. Press the red button and you can buy EVERYTHING for $20. Easy-peasy.

All of this music is available at a “Pay What You Like” price when purchased on a per song or per album basis. This release is primarily for listeners that want to support my production of MORE music and obtain what’s out there thus far in one shot.

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New album “LIVE STREAM JAZZ” w/ Steve Uccello

by Rob Michael

On February 5th, 2010, Steve Uccello & I performed an impromptu concert to an internet audience on my ongoing Ustream Concert Series. This collection of tunes documents that performance. This album is available exclusively here, at AtmosMusic.com and at our Bandcamp store.

Album artwork by Linda Palmer (www.ponor.info)

Steve and I met on twitter last spring. We organized and performed together at the Atmos Trio “Twitter House Concert.” Once he expressed interest in playing on my Ustream show, I didn’t waste any time arranging to make it happen.

The Ustream gigs have been the surprise of the year for me. From my home studio, I performed several solo guitar shows, and played host to special guests Damian Erskine, Todd Johnson and even broadcast some gigs from my group, The Atmos Trio.

Due to the regularity of the show, an audience from all over the world routinely returned, show-after-show. Among them is artist extraordinaire Linda Palmer. I had seen here wonderful artwork and I was thrilled when she agreed to contribute the album cover. She actually contributed many pieces, all of which are great. Please take in some of her fine work while you listen.

Here is a brief song-by-song reflection for those who were not present during the broadcast.

Song for Stasia: Originally recorded by Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny, this Marcin Kydryński composition served as a beautiful vehicle for our musical simpatico. I put this chart in front of Steve and he’s sight-reading here.

Minor Matter: A completely improvised tune based on a minor blues form.

Alright Right Now: One of Steve Uccello’s composition. This is what I sounded like sight-reading Steve’s tune on this day.

Travels: A classic country jazz ballad by Pat Metheny. We tried to make this sound like we’ve been playing together for a long time–even though this session marked only the second time Steve and I had played together.

Autumn Leaves: A “Jazz 101″ type tune. All jazzers know this song. We called a tune and counted it off…

Tenor Madness: Contemplating Sonny Rollins on his blues classic.

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Ustream Concert with Todd Johnson

by Rob Michael

Yesterday marked the latest of what is becoming a series of great internet jazz performances. One of my most valued online connections is with world-class bassist Todd Johnson. He and his lovely wife Gay came to my studio to hang-out and play some music to an enthusiastic international audience on Ustream.

Here is a brief peak into what we played. There will be higher quality video on my YouTube channel in the next day or two.

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Why in the world would I give my music away for FREE?

by Rob Michael

A couple of weeks ago I conducted an experiment with the Atmos Trio bandcamp site.

It was toward the beginning of the holiday season and I was in a giving mood, so I priced all of Atmos Trio’s albums (which include sheet music along with music files.) at a “Pay what You Want (even nothing)” price. I’m accustomed and happy to giving music away for free. I’ve always offered individual song downloads for free and had a low minimum price set for albums. But I offered everything for free to anyone who was interested.

Over the course of the 3 Day Special, many more people than normal downloaded the 2 albums “Atmos Trio” and “Atmos Plays Waters.” They helped spread the word about the opportunity for “Free Atmos Trio tunes”on Twitter and Facebook. It was nice to get such a favorable response from people who seemed genuinely appreciative of the music.

But something else rather interesting occurred as well: More than 50% of those that downloaded opted to pay for the music. Some paid far more than any price I would consider setting. Was this merely the result of a period of actively promoting the music? Maybe. Should I price my music at the ”Pay what You Want (even nothing)” price all the time? Maybe.

Why in the world would I give my music away for FREE? I would much prefer people hear the music and form some opinion on it rather than have it be locked away behind a price tag somewhere.

That’s why.

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Atmos Trio 3-Day Holiday Music Special

by Rob Michael

Purchase securely here:

Happy Holidays

We have new online store: the Atmos Trio Bandcamp site. Here you can listen to tunes for FREE, embed players on your web sites and/or purchase downloads.

We so appreciate the support that we’ve received all year that we’re offering a special gift for you. Next week, starting December 7th through the 9th, both of our albums “Atmos Trio” and ”Atmos Plays Waters” are available to you for a “Pay What You Want (even nothing)” price.

If you would like the music for yourself or for a gift for someone else, you may have them FREE or you can pay a price of your choosing. The albums include High-Quality (DRM-free) Digital downloads AND sheet music for select tunes. Enjoy!

If these newsletter aren’t enough Atmos Trio contact for you, please connect with us on Twitter or Facebook. You’ll surely get your fix there.

That’s about it for now. See you on the “other side.”

Rob

AtmosMusic.com Facebook Fan Page YouTube

@AtmosTrio on Twitter Atmos Trio Blog

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Upcoming Shows/Events:

Date:	Location:	Venue:	Ticket Price:
12/10/2009	American Canyon, CA	Ustream Concert (map)	No Cover (buy)	Details >>

Full show/event calendar >>

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Pay What You Want (even nothing…) for “Atmos Plays Waters” for the next 24 hours.

by Rob Michael

Enjoy the latest album by the Atmos Trio “Atmos Plays Waters.” This album features the amazing compositions of Drew Waters and includes sheet music for two of the tunes.

You are invited to download the entire recording, FREE of charge, or you can exercise your option to pay ANY price you like.

Happy Holidays!!

Posted via email from atmosmusic’s posterous

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