Monday YouTube Fix: Wynton Marsalis Quintet Featuring Frank Vignola and Mark O'Connor

Man is there whole lot of talent on one stage in this clip! These are some of my favorite performers coming together for an awesome rendition of Sweet Georgia Brown.  I got to know Frank Vignola when he was half of the duo Travelin' Light with Sam Pilafian many moons ago.  I even got to jam with him once in a hotel room in Evanston with my friend Zach Brock when Frank and Sam were in town for the tuba conference at Northwestern in 1995.  It was one of the most fun times I've ever had playing the tuba.  Good times.

I don't think that Mark O'Connor or Wynton really need any introduction.  Simply amazing storytellers.  Awesome clip!

Enjoy!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/14111149]

Monday YouTube Fix: Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Mark O'Connor & Edgar Meyer

I guess this clip is predictably awesome.  I don't care what these four musicians are playing, if they are playing together it is going to be special.  Even 'Hush Little Baby'! As people who are at the absolute top of their profession, all four of these guys are used to being the center of musical attention.  Yet in this clip, each one is both contributing and not even remotely over-stepping their role within the ensemble.  This is unheralded yet imperative quality in any musician.

This is such a simple version of an incredibly simple tune yet there is something very special about it.  Oh to have been in the audience for this performance.

Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GczSTQ2nv94]