My Ship

Happens Dance is a little waltz I wrote at the last minute in order to be a part of York University's New Composer's Concert in the Fall of 2009.  The beginning is harmonically similar to the Thad Jones composition A Child is Born, but then it goes to other places.

Happens Dance (Dave Powell)

Live performance of All of Me, a very famous jazz standard


You took the part that once was my heart
Why (on earth) NOT take ALL OF ME???

You took the best, so why not take the REST?

All Of Me (Instrumental)

The Daves Of Wine And Roses (Apr 1, 2014)

Humanzee

This is my cover of the very famous RadioHead song, Kid A.  The new standard indeed...

KidA

Embraceable You Solo

Oh, give me something to remember you by
When you are far away from me
Some little something, meaning love can not die,
No matter where you chance to be.....

Something to Remember You By

A reharm of a song penned by none other than Charlie Chaplin.  This theme appears throughout the movie 'Modern Times', Chaplin's last silent film

Smile

The theme to the 'Wonderful World of Disney' which used to come on every Sunday night when I was a kid.  I took the theme and slowed it down a bit and also changed the harmony.  I also added an introduction which isn't part of the regular tune. Enjoy!

11 11 When you Wish Upon a Star

Who says jazz is dead? This unique form of musical expression is like the 'buddhism of music' - it is elastic, reactionary, inclusionary, in the moment, and requires tremendous dedication and training.

Take this quote by Charlie Parker for example... "You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail."

It is indeed one of the greatest challenges in our modern society to develop a unique voice in this idiom, and those who have done so are immensely capable people.

There are no lies in jazz, it is impossible to fake. Those who have mastered it are the true healers in this world. People are constantly inundated with communication of the brain, but what people really need and desire is communication from the heart.

Check out this quote from Robbie Robertson in the movie 'The Last Waltz':

"There is a view that jazz is evil...but actually the greatest priests on 52nd street and on the streets of New York City were the musicians. They were doing the greatest healing work. And they knew how to punch through music which would cure and make people feel good." - Robbie Robertson, 1976.

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