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| Clazzax 3 | Clazzax 2 | Clazzax 1 | Arranger in Brainforest | Intro |
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Beethoven with a Backbeat, Classical Music
with Attitude!
| Philosophy/Concept | Media Reviews | Music Selections | Timeline | Rhythm & Bluefield Band |
| Clazzax 3 | Clazzax 2 | Clazzax 1 | Arranger in Brainforest | Intro |
| Inspiring Figures | Links | Order the Clazzax | Home |
Beethoven with a Backbeat, Classical Music
with Attitude!
"Bluefield adds a touch of 20th Century technology using instruments not yet invented when the pieces were originally composed... superb!"
Boston Post-Gazette
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David Bluefield: Award-winning songwriter & producer, former Warner Bros. recording artist, and keyboardist for Three-Dog Night, Paul Anka, Stevie Nicks, and Steven Spielberg presents... The Rhythm & Bluefield Band performing The Clazzax. |
THE CLAZZAX is a triple "concept" recording series that repopularizes famous timeless melodies in 90's instruments, rhythms and styles with three full hours of original upbeat arrangements on CD/Cassette. By utilizing the saxophone, electric bass and guitar, electronic keyboards and modern drums, The Clazzax brings works from the likes of Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Chopin, among others, into the LIGHT of the 21st CENTURY.
By combining these modern instruments and rhythms with the traditional acoustic ones (piano, guitar, fiddle, flute, and trumpet), the RHYTHM & BLUEFIELD BAND has fashioned a "fun" way to EDUCATE anyone with an appreciation of music to the great melodies of the classical era.
A BEAUTIFUL MELODY LASTS FOREVER...
because the feelings that inspired both the composer and the listener remain constant throughout time.
These timeless melodies, so popular in past centuries, are revitalized with the addition of modern instruments in jazzy rhythm & blues arrangements.
The Clazzax interprets music from The Romantic Period (1790's-1890's). The significance of this era was that man, for the first time, viewed himself as an INDIVIDUAL. The Church vs. State political upheavals, beginning with the French Revolution, continued on the European continent with the Nationalistic revolutions of 1848.
The philosophers of the time were embracing science and theory of evolution, and music was now seen as a medium for EXPRESSING man's inner moods and feelings.The melodies of these great impassioned works are as alive and well today, in a new suit of clothes, as they were 150 years ago because... a beautiful melody lasts forever!
The Clazzax' renditions of the most popular music of its time are all dressed up in the sounds of the 90's! LET 'ER R.I.P!
Perhaps this project will arouse your curiousities to wonder what it would have been like, if only Beethoven and his contemporaries had a saxophone and electronics to work with. Think of the possibilities then, and imagine the advances in store for music lovers in the next 150 years!
I selected my favorite classical melodies and then adapted them to work with my current favorite rhythm patterns. I have always loved strong melody, a solid groove, and a great blues shuffle.
David Bluefield
spin on
timeless classical melodiesOne of the best drummers in the business, Steve Ivey (house drummer for world-acclaimed E-Town radio show) teams up with bassist extraordinaire Kirwan Brown (nominated for Best Album and Best Contemporary Jazz Albums of the year 1995) to provide "steamroller" motion to the time-tested beautiful melodies...
"Flawless musicanship. Wholly irreverant.
David comes up with the best of the series."
Michael Moryc, MATRIX PROMOTIONS
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DAVID BLUEFIELD
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1. Marche Slave... Tchaikovsky
2. Moonlight Sonata... Beethoven
3. Dance of the Hours (Camp Granada)... Ponchielli
4. Alegretto 1st Symph.... Brahms
5. Humoresque... Dvorzak
6. Symph. #40,Gmin.... Mozart
7. American Patrol... Meacham
8. Volga Boat Song... Traditional
9. Morning... Grieg
10. Funeral for a Marionette (Hitchcock Theme)... Gournod
11. Over the Waves (Flying Trapeze)... Rosas
12. Prelude in C min.... Rachmaninoff
Significant events from the
Romantic Era to Present (1790's to 1990's)
that helped to shape and influence
The Clazzax' sense of fun and humor!
| 1776 | American Revolution Ludwig V. Beethoven, Ger. (6 years) Mozart, Austria (20 years) |
| 1809 | Abraham Lincoln, (b.) U.S. Charles Darwin, (b.) Eng Disappearance of Mens' pig-tails |
| 1810 | P.T. Barnum (b.) U.S. Frederick Chopin, (b.) Pol. Robert Schumann (b.) Ger. Franz Liszt (1 yr.) Hungary |
| 1814 | Francis Scott Key pens National Anthem "Waltz" gains popularity Richard Wagner (1 year) Ger. |
| 1818 | Charles Gournod (b.) Paris |
| 1833 | Johannes Brahms, (b.) Ger. A. Ponchielli (b.) Italy Alexander Borodin (b.) St. Petersburg, Russia |
| 1840 | Peter I. Tchaikovsky, (b.) Rus. Abner Doubleday invents Baseball Anton Dvorzak, (b) Prauge |
| 1843 | Edvard Grieg, (b.) Nor. Norway develops "Skiing" World's first night club in Paris; "Le Bal des Anglais" |
| 1846 | Adolfe Sax, Bel., patents Saxophone "Daily News" first newspaper ; Charles Dickens editor Gabriel Faure (1 yr.) France |
| 1848 | Revolts in Europe; France, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy |
| 1854 | Steinway opens piano factory John Phillip Sousa (b.),U.S. |
| 1859 | Darwin's "Origin of the Species" Giacomo Puccini, (b.) Italy |
| 1862 | Claude Debussy (b.) Fr. |
| 1868 | Guventino Rosas (b.) Spain |
| 1873 | Sergei Rachmaninoff (b.) Russia |
| 1876 | Alexander Graham Bell invents telephone |
| 1877 | Thomas Alva Edison invents phonograph |
| 1879 | Albert Einstein (b.); Ger. First microphone (D.Hughes) |
| 1881 | Edison patents electric light Bingo developed in Italy "Billy the Kid" captured Hector Villa-Lobos (b.), Brazil |
| 1888 | Celluloid film Eastman perfects Kodak 1st beauty contest in Belgium |
| 1899 | First magnetic recording Duke Ellington (b.) U.S. |
| 1900 | Louis Armstrong (b.) U.S. Ragtime Jazz popular Picasso's Blue Period |
| 1903 | Wright Bros. first flight First Baseball World Series |
| 1905 | Einstein's Theory of Relativity |
| 1927 | Babe Ruth hits 60 Homers Jazz drum "trap" set popular |
| 1935 | Elvis Presley (b.) U.S. First electric guitar (Leo Fender) |
| 1939 | Films: "Wizard of Oz", "Fantasia", "Gone with the Wind" Big Band Era flourishes |
| 1945 | First electronic synthesizer; first computer |
| 1965 | "Beatles" hit big Gene Roddenberry creates "Star Trek" UCLA wins 2nd of 11 Hoop titles |
| 1969 | Woodstock Festival with Jimi Hendrix First Man on Moon-Neil Armstrong M.I.D.I. (musical instrument digital interface) one controller plays many sounds |
| 1988 | Kirk Gibson's homer ('88 World Series) Apple "Macintosh" P.C. popular |
| 2000 | Next????? |
David Bluefield... Keyboards
L.A. native,Warner Bros. Recording artist w/ Kindred, played w/ 3-Dog Night, Stevie Nicks, Paul Anka, played synth for Steven Spielberg in "Close Encounters", won a Clio, grand-prize at Yamaha World Popular Song Festival. Creator and concept of THE CLAZZAX
Chicago area native, recorded all 3 Clazzax albums with fine improvisations and tone ; instrumental in developing the CLAZZAX concept, has performed with the likes of Kenny Loggins, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Buffett, Glenn Frey.
Twin Cities boy with credits ranging from Bob Hope, John Denver, to Buddy Miles.Recorded solo album "Love is Hell" at Prince's studio in Minn., is an excellant versatile musician with a facile command over many musical styles; from jazz, to funk, to blues, to the banjo. To order "Love is Hell" call 970-925-5222.
A great sax and flute soloist from the Kansas City area, called "the saxiest blower in the business", he has recorded 3 Solo albums for Elation Artists, "Bryan Savage", "Saxafaction" and "Night Fire" (call 303 973-8291) his credits include Al Stewart, Santana, Glenn Frey, Steve Martin' s hit"King Tut".
Excellant jazz soloist hailing from Wisconsin, a former winner of Outstanding Soloist Award (Emhurst College Jazz Festival), has played for The Four Tops, Temptations, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
An Air Force "brat" who has become one of the top in-demand bassists in Col. and California, his own album "Cool Grooves""was nominated in 2 categories for a Grammy in 1994" Best Album" and "Best Contemporary Jazz ."
One of the finest drummers anywhere, great "feel" and a joy to work with; immense credits include Bonnie Rait, James Taylor, Bruce Hornsby, Nelson Rangell and the world acclaimed Boulder based national radio show E-Town.
Scott has worked with every major label and artist of the era (Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Air Supply, Mr. Mister, Don Was, The Jets, Natalie Cole to name a few.)
Ron has mastered so many records you lose count... just recently mastered REAL LOVE by THE BEATLES!?
Larry's a good ol' boy from Texas and has 2 of the best "ears" in the biz from producing the JEFFERSON STARSHIP.
Bret created the logo of Ludwig playing the sax. Air brushes custom tee-shirts in Aspen. Bret is an expert in all medium. 970-927-3979
Helped to develop the artwork and images for the entire ClAZZAX series. He hosts the annual Bluegrass Festival in Telluride, Co. and he can be contacted at.
ADDITIONAL PLAYERS
Tom Hills... Drums ("ReClassified")
Tom ( from Michigan) also played percussion on Clazzax 1;Clazzual Sax. He was most helpful in pursuing the concept. He plays in The Network Band with David in Aspen and teaches the 4rth grade during the days.
Steve Cole... Clarinet
Aspen local D-Jay with KSPN, plays sax, clarinet, also in The Network Band in Aspen. Originally from Des Moines, Steve provides the "DJ"voice for the 2 min. excerpt tape at 800 7 MUSIC M.
Bill Capps... Cello ("ReClassified")
Wilson "Tudie" Calderon...
Percussion ("Rolling Over")
Another L.A. native played for Ritchie Cole, Tim Fogelberg, and Freddie Hubbard.
Paul Kuhn - Fiddle ("Rolling Over")
Paul is from Milwaukee and while his main instrument is the electric violin, he has invented the Cellocaster! (a stringed instrument that can be both bowed and strummed) 970-920-2280
Bernie Mysior... Bass ("Dance of Sugar Plum Fairy" #2, "Humoresque"#3)
A great bassist now in the food business (Boogie's Diner Aspen, Co) was a member of Kindred (WB) with David in the early 70's, played for Tim Buckley, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Fleetwood Mac.
Steve Saylor... Mandolin ("Icht Grolle Nicht")
A very versatile instrumentalist (guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin) Steve also writes scripts and has one pending with Bette Midler.
Ken Dore... Harmonica ("Humoresque")
Guy Bacon... Classical
Guitar (Villa Lobos#2)
Sheldon Gomberg... Electric rhythm guitar (Funeral
for a Marionette #3)
SPECIAL THANX
