I worked as a professional musician in Rhode Island during the 1980s, however, now music (playing and writing) is only a hobby and a mechanism by which to relax and unwind. A number of noted New England musicians I worked with include Hal Crook, Joe Parillo, Art Manchester and Greg Abate. I also preformed regularly in the active local rhythm and blues scene in Rhode Island. I studied improvisation and composition with Hal Crook (Berklee College of Music). My music is heavily based in bebop and very often I construct melodies over chord progressions to standards.
Martin's email address is: mschwacha@hotmail.com.
One Way or Another, page 1 and page 2. This composition is an uptempo swing tune based on the chord progression of "Night and Day". I have included a shout chorus that trades 8's with the drummer or soloist.
Blues for Gabrielle. A medium tempo blues that should be performed in a style similar to T. Monk.
Another Waltz. A medium tempo jazz waltz.
Cool Beans. This is a 32 bar AABA composition that should be played at a medium swing tempo. I was thinking of Zoot Sims when I wrote this one.
Jalapeno. A medium fast latin tune (somewhere between a bossa and a samba).
Point of Departure. Pure bebop ala Charlie Parker based of the chord changes of "All the Things You Are".
Still Life. This is a 32 bar AABA jazz ballad somewhat similar in feel and mood to "Round Midnight". It would have been fun to hear Dexter Gordon play this one.
Touch the Moon. A 32 bar medium swing composition based on the chord changes of "Out of Nowhere". I wrote this one for my 5-year old daughter.
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