Yikes. I dug this one out of my archive... 

"I tuned the guitar in fifths... actually NST.  So that's like a Mandocello, kindof, with lotsa bass. That's my Eastman oval-hole mandolin."

Um A Zero (Pixinguinha)

I met a guy named James down at the local bait shop. He was gearing up to do some fishing from the banks of the river as people do here. I asked him what he was going for. "Flathead," he replied, as he directed me to a photo on the wall. It was taken at night with a flash, and James in the photo, but you wouldn't know it. He was mostly hidden from head to toe by the 5 foot monster he struggled to hold for the camera.  I feigned interest in taking up such a hobby, but who was I kidding. For me, knowing something like that lurked in the river is the stuff of nightmares.

From atop the levee I can see him from time to time down there planted in the sandy banks, in his chair and a cooler by his side.

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern

 The Dreams of Flathead Battles © 2025 by jazzcittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Dreams of Flathead Battles

The Dreams Of Flathead Battles

Near our town there is a silent trestle that stands behind a blind of hissing black willows that few ever see. Hosting track that goes nowhere, bridging a creek that rarely flows, it is reminiscent of those 19th century British railway structures erected to provide access to Tsavo and beyond. And even when our spring floods cover the surrounding plain, this lattice of creosote beams and blackened piles stands strong, stable and dry. Since the turnstile bridge downstream went the way of the ferryboat, railways have little reason to pass this way.

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern

Under a Forgotten Trestle © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Under a Forgotten Trestle

Following the trail from Riverside Park through the dense woods along the river wildlife refuge, there stand foundations of stone. The inhabitants are long gone, and it fires the imagination: Who was it that once called these structures Home? Crossing the river at the next town upstream, following the trails back downstream on the opposite banks, dense woods and open grassy expanses hide more of these ancient structures. Some sheltered settlers, others mark the farms that they once worked on the fertile floodplain. Still others lead to sacred mounds and seasonal campsites abandoned long ago by the native inhabitants.

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern

Quiet Ruins on Floodplain Trails © 2025 by jazzcittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Quiet Ruins on Floodplain Trails

"Thunder-dunders," said the weatherman. My dad stole the term and made it his own.  He would watch the local weather forecast in the evening to see about tomorrow's fishing. Broadcasting from a larger town an hour south of our rented North Woods cottage, we had to work hard on the rabbit ears and tin foil to receive these important prognostications. (Another of Dad's words, though I don't think it originated with the meteorologist.) Fish or not, Dad was a weather enthusiast. Whenever a summer storm front would thunder on through, Dad would post himself defiantly at the open front door, arms folded, feet firmly planted. We'd hear him calling out, "Hey Kids, you wanna see this?"


Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern

Welcome Rains © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Welcome Rains

There is a placard posted outside the ruins of a Greek Catholic church in Poland citing its storied past. Back in the day, the village was called Plonna - A village that dates back all the way back to medieval times. That name derives from the Slavic word “plonina,” which means “treeless mountain valley” or “pastureland." Our humble Lemko ancestors were farmers of this land, and fled the area in the 1930s, avoiding subsequent ethnic cleansing operations. That is our grave backstory.

My sister visited the church a number of years ago, and she was instructed by my brother, who had made a similar pilgrimage the prior year, to inspect the stones above the lintel, in cracks in the mortar there.  And this she did.  Indeed she found a cryptic message held between the old stones. It read:

"The Cubs will shine in 2009."

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern


 The Missive Held in Old Stone © 2025 by jazzcittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

The Missive Held in Old Stone

We're all just passing through.

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern

Hope I See You There © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Hope I See You There

"This is proved by the fact that when we are very young children we do not need fairy tales: we only need tales. Mere life is interesting enough."
- G.K. Chesterton

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern

This Elementary Wonder © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

This Elementary Wonder

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL99VxVAGSwjPC4sDGP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern


The Nice Arrangement of Everything © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

The Nice Arrangement of Everything

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern


 The Collision of Two Passions © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

The Collision of Two Passions

Slowly the Stars Withdrew
.
.
.
"When mist shrouds our dim view, and course is not so clear..."
.
.
All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL99VxVAGSwjPC4sDGP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern


Slowly the Stars Withdrew © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Slowly the Stars Withdrew

"Life is meant to be an existential crisis. If there's no existential crisis, you're missing the point." - anonymous

A lilting tune to lift your spirits in 8/8 time. Enjoy!

All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL99VxVAGSwjPC4sDGP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzcittern


 This work © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

dubito ergo sum

"I don't know much. But what I do know is, I don't know much." - anonymous

Well, I may not know much, but I do know I have a playful tune with lydian affectations here just for you.

All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern

This work © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

All These Good Things

Like a garden aspires to a sun that's out of reach, a wise man reaches for his  ideals, though unattainable. - anonymous

Well, I may not be so very wise, but I sure aspired a whole lot to bring you this tune.

All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern

So Also on Earth © 2025 by Craig Schmoller/jazzCittern is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

So Also on Earth

"The weatherman would do better flipping a coin." - anonymous

Well, I can't do much better than the weatherman, but I sure predict this is my next tune.

All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern

A Fleeting Glimpse of Things Far Off © 2025 by Craig Schmoller/jazzCittern is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

A Fleeting Glimpse of Things Far Off

"Writing music is a lot like fishing for largemouth bass. You know they're in there. You just need to use the right bait." - anonymous

Well, all I know is, it took a really long time to reel this one in and land it for you.

All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern

This work © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

A Garden Cottage Facing South

"Nostalgia is one part forgetting what was, two parts dreaming what could have been, and a generous dash of forgiveness to taste." - anonymous

Well, I'm not much on recipes, but I cooked up this tune to transport you back to a better place and time. 


All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern

This work © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Long Golden Days

"Where have I been here before?" - anonymous

Well, I don't know, but I hope this latest tune helps you navigate there.

All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern

This work © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Away Is Not So Very Far

"You know that monkey hitting typewriter keys for an infinite length of time? Imagine what he could do with a piano." - anonymous

Well, infinitely random doesn't work for most of us, so here's a very intentional tune I hope you enjoy.

All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

Enjoy the whole playlist of our music content - Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic - Click here:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9…GP8hLx9Y3ki6Lzofz

Follow jazzCittern -
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jzzctt
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JzzCtt
SoundCloud: @jazzcittern

This work © 2025 by jazzCittern.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Willows Whispered This Gentle Breeze

(Straight out of the fakebooks, one-shots. Edits not allowed. Guitar, me. The band is The Emergency Quartet. )

1. It's Only a Paper Moon (Rose/Harburg/Arlen)
2. Misty (Errol Garner)
3. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Joe Zawinul)
4. Hello Young Lovers (Rogers/Hammerstein)
5. Cantaloupe Island (Hancock)
6. Green Dolphin Street (Kaper/Washington)
7. Black Orpheus (Louis Bonfi)
8. Strykin' Ahead (Dave Stryker)
9. Blue in Green (Miles Davis)
10. Desafinado (Jobim/Mendoca)
11. A Child is Born (Thad Jones)
12. Cold Duck Time (Eddie Harris)
13. My Romance (Rodgers/Hart)
14. Falling in Love with Love (Rodgers/Hart)
15. Foggy Day (Gershwin)
16. The Girl from Ipanema (Jobim)
17. One Note Samba (Jobim)
18. Bye Bye Blackbird (Dixon/Henderson)
19. Over the Rainbow (Harburg/Arlen)
20. When You Wish Upon a Star (Harline/Washington)
21. Up Jumped Spring (Hubbard)

Craig Schmoller and the Emergency Quartet do the Standards

Résumé - Standards - 2018

Established 2007. All music on this and any jazzCittern site is 100% human composed and handmade by real live musicians. Thanks for listening!

We like to build things and watch them run. We love music, Ambient to Epic, Meditative to Cinematic... We enjoy building backing tracks for enhanced live performance... And we love to discuss NST and fifths tuning.... 

In 2007 I Googled every instrument under the sun, and saw there is a 'jazz' usage of just about every instrument. Even jazz bagpipes. Back then somebody tabulated the term "jazz" and its association with musical instruments, and just about everything was represented - But NO CITTERN.

And that year jazzCittern was born.

(What's a jazzCittern? The 10-string long-scale bouzouki is really the happy offspring of a Mandocello and a Bouzouki. This instrument, when tuned CGDAE, becomes an extraordinary jazz instrument - the extra course illustrates the wonderful symmetries available in fifths tuning. Chord building and scale visualization is a breeze.)

Virtually and musically yours,

CS

jazzCittern

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks