Name: Sawgrass Shuffle by Tom Alexander/Earth Code
Duration: 6 min 5 s
Description: Second track from the album, "Tones From the Middle Distance" by Earth Code

Tom Alexander, native of northeastern PA, composer, writer & broadcaster, and Peter Alexander, director, writer, editor, producer, are father & son from a multigenerational family of film professionals.
They speak about that family heritage, the legendary Forty Fort Theater in the Wyoming Valley, and their working partnership in making films.  For more information: www.alexanderproductions.com/

Tom Alexander; Peter Alexander; March 15 2021

This tune is similar in one respect to two other tracks (Lunar Zone and Missing Link) from the "FUSION QUEST" era, in which I enjoyed having the sounds of a saxophone as an added feature. This time however, instead of Ben Schachter on the sax, another local saxophonist by the name of Kevin Vannoy plays the melody for this composition. 
This was also recorded on my brand new (at the time - 1995) Alesis 8-track ADAT recording machine, which allowed me to add more layers compared to the first few productions that I did (probably a half year earlier).
With the exception of my guitar (and in this case, Kevin's sax), all other sounds come from the Korg T-3, controlled and executed by midi sequencing, which was all programmed directly within the T-3.

I STILL REMEMBER (Audric Jankuaksas-1995)

I took a 1:24 clip of a practice session, isolated it, then laid it on top of itself 11 times, staggering each start by 0.2 seconds each time. The result is an interesting shift in the timing and rhythmic structure, as it shifts in and out of time. Reminiscent of Steve Reich's Drumming.

Stack Eleven

A symphonic composition inspired by many incredible movie and video game soundtracks. This is the first piece I integrate the use of a full choir, which I have them singing in latin. As of late, I have also been heavily influenced by Nick Phoenix and Thomas Bergersen of the magnificent composition duo, Two Steps From Hell.

Massive Sea Of Stars (Epic Symphony Soundtrack)

Short practice session. Yamaha Recording Custom kit: 20" bass, 8", 10", 12" 14" toms, 14x5 Pearl snare. 8" Wuhan splash, 16" Zildjian K fast crash, 16" Sabian medium thin crash, 18" Wuhan china, 19" Zildjian Armand Beautiful Baby ride, 20" Sabian Dejohnette ride. Shure PG56 tom mics, Shure SM57 snare mic, Rode M5 overheads, Soundcraft LEX console to Tascam DP-03 recorder.

Andrew Morrell demo

It will be obvious to some listeners that the bass and drum groove of this track is based on John Coltrane’s iconic “Love Supreme”.  I recently discovered that I could superimpose another melody from a rather old composition of mine on top of this groove, which to my ears seemed to work together nicely.  So that, in a nutshell, is the story of how this track “PRIMORDIAL DANCE" was conceived.  I invited keyboardist TOM ALEXANDER to add his musical wizardry to this track. Tom and I have known each other for decades, and have engaged in many wonderful musical projects through the years. Tom’s approach and style is unique, fiery, and unpredictable… as you will hear! Hope you all will enjoy this special track! BTW - Please check out Tom Alexander’s music (Earth Code on SoundCloud). I recently did some guitar work on one of the tracks on his latest EARTH CODE album (just released April 2018). https://soundcloud.com/tommy-a-1

PRIMORDIAL DANCE (Audric Jankauskas/Tom Alexander-2018)

Practice session in my new house - basement recording studio, awaiting acoustic foam. Right now it sounds like i'm in a reflection factory.

Drumming

Short test of new Soundcraft FX16ii and minimal soundproofing on my Yamaha RC's.

Solo drumming - mixer test July 4, 2018

Sly Fox

Second track from the album, "Tones From the Middle Distance" by Earth Code

Sawgrass Shuffle

Change

This page features music for by jazz fusion keyboardist/composer Tom Alexander, as well as the Fusion/World/Funk band he co-founded, Earth Code. 

Tom Alexander is veteran radio personality/voice over actor/sceeenwriter/musician. He recently co-wrote the motion picture "Stonerville" which was shot in Southern California and features Patrick Cavanaugh, Pauly Shore and Leslie Neilson (in his final screen appearance). The film was released in January of 2011.

For the past eight years, he’s served as Executive Editor of the Sportsman’s Daily, a sports satire website. The site's radio arm produces the funny and poignant radio essay "From the Bleachers" heard nationally on Yahoo! Sports Radio. He is also the voice of "Blog," the neurotic caveman, in the animated series,"The Darwinners" which is now in its second season. 

In 2005 and 2006 he was the piano playing sidekick to a wisecracking talking bottle in a popular series of nationally broadcast commercials for Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Tom co-composed the songs on many of the ads. 

In March of 2005 he released the global-jazz fusion inspired "Flying Against the Time Zones," on the Gatsby Music label. South Florida Sun-Sentinel music critic Nick Tate described the recording as “a globe-trotting musical travelogue,” adding “From start to finish, Alexander builds his solos and melodies with the deft skill of a storyteller.”  Tom’s solo piano CD, "What’s Ahead?" garnered similar accolades and was featured on a nation-wide Weekend Edition Sunday interview with Liane Hansen on NPR in June of 2001.

In 1996, Tom moved his family to South Florida and took a job as Head Writer/Musical Director of the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Drive" which originated from CBS Sportsline. 

Since then, he’s continued to focus on music, radio, and script writing. He’s penned seven screenplays to date. He is also an accomplished, in-demand voice actor appearing in several cartoons each year.

Growing up in his parent’s classic, art-deco movie theater in Northeastern Pennsylvania, its easy to see how this early exposure to movies and music clearly had a lasting impact on his life. 

Tom lives in South Florida with his wife and son and continues to perform music live throughout the region with the fusion/world/funk trio, Earth Code.
____________________________________________
Earth Code

Earth Code is a world fusion/funk trio featuring Tom Alexander on keyboards, Tommy G. Lee on drums, and Shawn Saul on bass.

The group performs original compositions drawing on musical influences from around the globe with a tip of the hat to fusion heroes like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Jeff Beck, Miles Davis and others. 

Earth Code Lineup: 

Tom Alexander - Keyboards. 

Alexander is a 25+year veteran of music, in particular fusion jazz/world/funk. His solo piano CD "What's Ahead?" was released in 2001 and was featured in a 20 minute profile piece on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday with Liane Hansen in June of that year. He has also scored for two motion pictures as well as TV shows and commercials.

Tommy G. Lee - Drums 

Lee is one of the most sought after drummers in South Florida. He toured extensively with Blood, Sweat and Tears for two years in the early 1980's, as well as many other nationally known acts. About Lee, Alexander says "He's a powerhouse drummer, but can be super sensitive when the music requires it. He's always thinking way outside and drives the music differently each time out. I swear he can read my mind. I love playing with him." 

Shawn Saul - Bass

Saul is a graduate of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Only in his mid -20′s, Saul plays with the fluidity and finesse of a seasoned jazz veteran. laying down rock solid grooves, and soloing with innovative twists and turns.

Sawgrass Shuffle

Tom Alexander/Earth Code

Recent comments

Sonni Quick

ProgRockDan Instrumentals

Jamie Rhind

Jamie Rhind

Related tracks