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Blue Asia
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This is actually the very first 'jazz' tune that I composed back in 1981. (Maybe 1979) It's the first song I'd ever written. This version has a nice swing to it with the paired solo bass lines floating through.
Multi-genre from Funk, Jazz Improv, Ambient and World
I'm excited about the new configuration I'm performing with! Charles Moselle - Saxaphone Erik Lindquist - Guitar Greg Sankovich - Keyboard Alex Aspinal - Drums I feel I have collected some of the most creative musicians in the bay area to perform original compositions. These guys understand what I'm trying to do with my compositions. Each of them has a daring approach to their instrument; defying norms, avoiding musical cliches and taking the risky musical path of improvisation and experimentation.
Song Info
Genre
Jazz • Smooth Jazz
Charts
Peak #124
Peak in subgenre #32
Author
Edo Castro
Rights
2006
Uploaded
January 17, 2008
Track Files
MP3
MP3 5.7 MB • 128 kbps • 6:10
Story behind the song
This is actually the very first "jazz" tune that I composed back in 1981. (Maybe 1979) It's the first song I'd ever written. I was still in music school at the time. It all fell together rather quickly. I was taking an Afro-Cuban Percussion Ensemble class when the instructor asked for original compositions to play at the end of the semester for a grade and concert. Not having any prior composing skills, I jumped at the chance. Blue Asia is built around the bass line. The actual bass part is far different than the one recorded on "Phoenix". The original bass groove is based off the 6/8 African percussion pattern called Naningo. Around 1989-90 I switched the bass line and feel to a Brazilian 6/8 very similar to what Pat Metheny popularized during that period. The melody was purposefully static to be propelled and float above the percolating bass & percussion textures. The title came about as a statement of the form of the piece and who wrote it. "Blue" for the Minor Blues and "Asia" for the person who composed it: "me." Suffice it to say it does conjure up some wonderful visuals. I did record a version of Blue Asia in Chicago in 1989-90 with a Band Called "Viewpoint". This band was comprised of Guitar, Vibes, Steel drums, Drums and Bass. It's really beautiful and quite different than the version on "Phoenix." The composition is wonderful in that it can be played with any variety of instruments and still express the over all quality of the harmony. The recording of Blue Asia on my CD "Phoenix" I chose to record this with 2 of my favorite players, Mark Egan and Paul Van Wageningen. The ensemble consists of just 2 basses and drums. Of course the other sounds you hear was played by me on my Conklin Bass w/Midi output. I met Paul years ago on several recordings sessions. He played drums on my first release entitled "Edo." His work can be heard on hundreds of recordings. Mark Egan has been a great influence on me and continues to be so. On this particular recording Mark plays the melody and takes the first solo using his Pedulla 8 String Fretless. To have Mark Egan on this session has been a life long dream for me but more so his contribution to this recording is timeless.
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