The following video is an excerpted from a 2011 Internet broadcast. Steve DeDoes provided play-by-play presentation for the Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT), held at Concordia University (Ann Arbor).  This was the 60th annual CIT, making it the nation’s 2nd-longest running collegiate basketball tournament event (second to the NIT).

© 2011, S. DeDoes / Concordia University, Ann Arbor
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sebesky was gracious enough to allow Steve DeDoes to not only include this song as part of the “Michigan Christmas Air” project – he allowed Steve to pen some additional lyrics for this recording.  According to DeDoes, “Hurray” was “a must-do part” (of MCA), and he appreciates the artistic license that Sebesky gave him for the recording.

“We wanted to do it as a jazz waltz,” remembers DeDoes.  “‘Hurray For Christmas’ is really an intricate and challenging tune, and yet still resonates with delightful appeal. I had asked a prominent singer (name withheld) to sing the lead, but she didn’t work hard to learn the melody.  It wasn’t going to work.”

Enter April Tini, herself an established pro with a versatile and energetic voice that would bring “Hurray” to life.  “No one could have sung this better than April did,” says DeDoes.  “She absolutely nailed it; not only in the challenges of the song itself, but in her incredible ‘scat’ improvisation.”

Along with Jake Reichbart‘s wonderful acoustic guitar solo, DeDoes achieved what he was after in the production.  “I wanted the sophistication of the song, the arrangement, and all the pieces to come together,” he recalls, “but for the overall vibe of the piece to reflect the pure, simple joy that comes from Christmas – like it does with kids.  In fact, I remember telling Jake on the session that I wanted the guitar solo to be as if he opened a new instrument on Christmas morning.”

The fluid background voices of the Bricktown Quartet were the final piece to the puzzle.  “The overall sound of the vocal ensemble both blends with April but also is its own distinctive texture,” says the producer.

“After all these years, I continue to revel in the work that these artists did for me,” DeDoes adds.  “And, I’m always thrilled with people’s reaction to this recording.  The song itself (by Sebesky) deserves to be heard, and we all are extremely proud that our version introduces so many listeners to a carol they didn’t know existed.”

(Click Here to hear “Hurray For Christmas” – opens new window)

Composed by Don Sebesky / additional lyrics & arrangement by Steve DeDoes.

featuring April Tini (lead vocal), the Bricktown Quartet (backup vocals), and Jake Reichbart (guitar) – from the award-winning CD “Michigan Christmas Air,” in a jazzy DeDoes arrangement of a great song by Grammy & Tony winner Don Sebesky.

Available here by permission.  Click here to read reviews and commentary about the “Michigan Christmas Air” CD.

(Note to reader: If you haven’t listened to the tracks, or aren’t familiar with the basis for this discussion and the purpose for which this music was produced, go back to the introductory page.)

It is a challenge to write successful commercial music.  For something like a radio program theme – a short piece of music that will be used to introduce a topic and set the tone for its audience – it must be simultaneously distinctive, yet “catchy.”  It should make a dramatic, recognizable statement; drive the mood forward; then get out of the way in order to accommodate a voice-over or other discussion.

Over sixty-second intervals, the original “WJR Internet Advisor” theme music worked extremely well.  With a signature “hook” at the beginning – a driving buildup – a pulsating, rhythmic bed – and arrival at a thematic conclusion – this music propelled this show for fourteen years of broadcasting, and counting.

The original piece employed what is referred to as a “compound meter” – in this case, 12/8.  This metric basis helps to create what musicians sometimes call a “shuffle feel.”  The 3-within-4 groove has a natural drive to it.  Combined with the harmonic structure (or, “changes”), the piece develops into a “vamp” that provides the bed for some ongoing little inventions on the hook.  Even though it’s a relatively short track, it still has shape, dramatic line, and interesting orchestration.

As the composer, I have to say that I still like this piece of music.  I’m kinda proud of it…and feel that it continues to work well.  However, both I and the weekly audience for the “Internet Advisor” (not to mention the program’s HOSTS !) have heard this now for, well, fourteen years…that’s a long time.

The “WJR Internet Advisor” radio program itself now heads into syndication and hopefully, some new horizons.  Eminating out of Detroit, always about what’s *new* on the Internet–can we reflect that in our theme ?!?  How to retain the audal signature – the sense of direction and purpose – and yet create a whole new “mood” as well as a sense of the future ??

* Well, here’s what we did.  Though, if you’re still reading this–it’s only a total of a couple of minutes of music we’re talkin’ about!!  Nonetheless, these two “shorties,” along with some other jams provided below, allow for a conversation about some fun elements in the musical language.

It’s always great to have a soloist who can deliver the goods in a commercial sense.  Mattie DeDoes, like other great musicians I’ve had the chance to work with over the years, has great instincts when asked to reflect mood in his sound and melodic ideas.

To give this artist a canvas, I decided to “square up” the beat.  Hip-hop and electronic music rarely use anything like a compound meter.  They like to present a transparency in their beat to create a sense of accessibility.  With rhythm subdivisions in powers of two (4, 8, 16,…), these kind of textures seem more “standard” to many listeners.

Part of the challenge remains, however, to make music that still has a creative evolution – that while serving its purposes, is still fundamentally interesting.  Even in a :60 track, we want to take our listener somewhere intriguing.  For me, this is the part I get into – making music that still delights the listener, especially after multiple hearings.

In the case of the “new” version, some of the creativity can be found in how a “triplet” motif plays against the “square” rhythmic bed.  This occurs right at the start, when the original fanfare gives way to the solo saxophone – which takes us into a more “urban”-style groove.  The sound is a little more dark, maybe with a little more intrigue.  Certainly, the instrumentation is different as well, as we use a combination of natural and synthetic sounds, in the funky rhythm we’ve described earlier.

Listen to what’s similar between the two tracks, and also to what’s different.  As I always say to music students when I teach theory or musicology classes  – all of us can, and should, improve our listening abilities.  Where better to do that than with music ?!?

We hope you found this little “music theory” lesson interesting.  With the new track and its variations, titled “Cutting Edge,” we also hope to help the “WJR Internet Advisor” achieve more years of success !  Then, somewhere around 2025 or so, we’ll redo the theme again…

The TRACKS:

(Click Here to hear Steve’s original “Internet Advisor” theme ! - opens new window)

(Click Here to hear the new “Internet Advisor” theme – titled “Cutting Edge” ! - opens new window)

(Click Here to hear a variation of “Cutting Edge”, with more alto sax improvisation by Mattie DeDoes ! - opens new window)

(Click Here to hear one more variation of “Cutting Edge” – this time, with hot sax and synth solos ! - opens new window)

November 3, 2011 – Mattie DeDoes, Oberlin College sophomore pitcher/third baseman, has accepted an invitation to join the Lorain County Ironmen of the Prospect League for the summer of 2012.  DeDoes will begin playing with the Ironmen on the heels of his sophomore collegiate season.

The Ironmen and the Prospect League represent an opportunity for DeDoes to play alongside and against other college players (mostly Division I) who have professional aspirations.  The so-called “wood bat” league involves a professional-style format, with daily games scheduled in three- and four- game series.  Travel is extensive, throughout the eastern U.S.  Though an amateur organization, players sign contracts and cannot play with other teams.

Because of his mound prowess, DeDoes was selected for the Ironmen as a pitcher.  While he will be able to work on his hitting and third base play on a daily basis, his selection was based upon the expectation that he would be a part of the Lorain County pitching staff – and thus, he is not expected to see game action as anything but a hurler.

“I think this is a great opportunity for Mattie,” said Oberlin head baseball coach Adrian Abrahamowicz.  ”I’m anxious to see how he does against that level of competition.  I expect him to perform well.  One thing I do know – no one will outwork him.”

Last summer (2011), DeDoes played for the Toledo Hawks Gold and helped that team win the Tri-State League championship and advance to the NABF College World Series.

Given the level of commitment that this opportunity represents, Mattie DeDoes’ burgeoning performance career as a jazz artist will be curtailed for the summer of 2012.  Some concert dates have already been dropped from his schedule; however, DeDoes plans to continue studio and session work along with performing “live” whenever possible.

The Ironmen play their home games at “The Pipeyard,” a stadium built for the team in Lorain, Ohio.

(Click Here to hear “Learnin’ From The Master” – opens new window)

Composed by Steve DeDoes, 1996.

Mattie DeDoes – alto sax; Matt Michaels, piano; Cary Kocher, vibes; Dan Jordan, bass; David Taylor, drums.

From Mattie DeDoes’ CD, “I’m A Player,” 2009.

© 1996, 2009 S.DeDoes/Full Score & 7 Music.  All rights reserved.

—————————————–

Note: when Mattie was in high school, we were able to combine Mattie’s soloing with this fun track that we had produced previously…and as a result, connect Mattie’s growing artistry with Matt, along with these other fine musicians.

Mattie was able to perform live with Matt on a couple of occasions as a young musician.  These musical memories join with so many others as we reflect upon the life Matt Michaels.  Please click here to read more about Matt.

Don’t Miss The Story ! – CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL, 2011-12

Attention:  to the media in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and all of Michigan

These days, there is a glut of sports information…from “inside stories” to statistical minutia, particularly about the “big boys.”

You have to pay attention to know when something different, and meaningful, unfolds.

In Ann Arbor, there is more happening in collegiate athletics than just what goes down at the U-M colossus.  Across town, Concordia University-Ann Arbor is about to tip off a memorable season, both for men’s and women’s basketball.

• Both teams have conference championships in their sights.
• Both teams target national crowns.
• Both teams play an exciting, relentless, style of game.
• And both teams have players worth watching.

Concordia University’s athletic department is proud to present two articles that can better acquaint you with our men’s and women’s basketball teams (both in .pdf format):

CU Men’s BB Preview 2011-12
CU Women’s BB Preview 2011-12

These articles will entertain you with the stories of our teams, but will also introduce you to some of the people, and the dynamics, associated with those squads.

• Both teams deserve your attention.
• Both teams deserve your “ink,” or your “air time.“
• Both teams have interesting, compelling personalities and story lines.

And, BOTH TEAMS are going for it all in 2011-12 !!

Contact Concordia University Athletics for more information–
Andrea Gorski, Athletic Director:
Zach Johnston, Sports Information Director:

Concordia Athletics Website (opens in new window)

Unassuming.  Unaffected.  Unruffled.

For some reason, adjectives that started with “un-” were always used when people described Matt Michaels.  When you encountered Matt – and witnessed his appearance, heard him talk, watched him move – it’s true, he really didn’t project anything special.

Matt was seventy-nine years old when he died yesterday.  But his wisdom always seemed to be at least twice whatever his age was; and his childlike joy, both for music and for people, somehow existed simultaneously within that sage demeanor.

How does someone achieve that ?  I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced that human quality, that interpersonal magic on many concurrent layers, like I did in being with him.  Matt’s personality had the richness of a Bach fugue.  To spend time exploring music together had an intense calm about it; it was like a “reassuring passion.”  Sort of like music itself – how do you really explain the sum of its parts, except to immerse yourself in it ?

On the surface, I suppose Matt was sort of “un-”anything.  But when he became engaged – with a task, with a song, with a conversation, with a joke – something inside of him sprung to life.  His passion for “the moment” transcended whatever else was going on.  That was a part – albeit a small one – of what made him such a great musician, such a great teacher, and such a great man.

A Great Picture of a Great Man & Musician - Matt Michaels

Matt was my mentor.  He taught a lot of people, and I imagine everyone of them today feels they were special to him, as do I.  For me, his musical lessons – which were deep and rich – played out in counterpoint to some of the things that he subtly showed me about myself.

I’m pretty certain that I wouldn’t be the musician that I am today without his guidance.  However, I do know that I wouldn’t be the teacher, the coach, the husband, and the father that I’ve become without the perspectives that he gave me, and in the patient way he helped me to examine my own possibilities and obstacles.  Matt never coddled a pupil, make no mistake about it; but he had a way of always letting you know there was more to be learned, if you wanted to.  And for me, I was fortunate enough to take the path of his lessons to a far greater conclusion that went beyond just the musical training that was involved.  I’m glad that I chose to.  With Matt, it was always your choice to make – and he’d be there for you if you opted for the journey.

I’ve stayed in touch with Matt since the years I studied with him.  And I could write volumes about those prior lessons, and share wonderful anecdotes.  Acclaimed author Mitch Albom (himself a former Matt student) wrote a fine piece in the Detroit Free Press that captured some of Matt’s character, wit, personality, and talent.  In fairness to Mitch, however, no writer can adequately describe the size of Matt Michaels’ humanity.

And nor can I.  In recent years, I have made an effort to stay connected with Matt.  For a long time, I needed his opinions on my work and his input into my endeavors.  Fortunately for me, I was able to transition to a point where I was able to care more about what was going on with him than with me; I went to hear him play “one more time” on a couple of occasions, and I talked with him enough recently to feel the emotional loss when those golden fingers were no longer able to make their magic, when he faced the fact that he would never again “work the room” as he had so many times.

There was a point recently where I felt some consternation where Matt was concerned, knowing that it was the beginning of the end for him.  I thought, perhaps, that Matt might not know how I much he had meant to me – how I had internalized all of those insights, all of those musical memories and life lessons.  How I thought about him every time I sat at a piano, or made music with my son, Mattie (and yes, there is a naming connection there), or especially, as I became teacher to some new, eager pupil.  Matt wasn’t the kind of person who really wanted to hear you indulge in melodrama, whether in your playing or in your speaking.  “Economy,” he used to say, one of his favorite words and concepts.

But, like with everything else, I’m sure that he knew.  So here, I’ll be “economical” and say that I’m simply one more person that will miss him for the rest of my life.  However, I trust that right now, he’s not indulging in this article or any other earthly gestures.

He’s sitting with Bill Evans, another legend, at a piano somewhere – talking about harmony with a passion that I believe only those two could.  That will be an unbelievable dialogue, an unreal exchange of unrestrained joy.

Matt is now unencumbered by any physical limitations.

S.D.

November 3, 2011

(Read Matt’s obituary in the Detroit News)  /  (Read Mitch Albom’s piece, if you haven’t done so already)

December 4, 2011 – Hear our on-air appearance:  WJR Internet Advisor, Dec. 3, 2011 (direct link to .mp3 file)

November 6, 2011 – The radio program “The WJR Internet Advisor” began broadcasting in Detroit, Michigan in 1998.  Steve DeDoes composed and produced the theme music for this program, which has been in use ever since “The Internet Advisor” hit the airwaves…

* You can delve into this project, as a listener and music fan.  Click on the links below to compare the “old” with the “new” – and if you are interested, read Steve’s discussion and check out other mixes and variations.

The Original Theme: 60-second Intro Track

Composed 1998, produced as original music by Steve DeDoes -
for the WJR Radio Program “The Internet Advisor” (© 1998, 2011)

(Click Here to hear Steve’s longtime “Internet Advisor” theme ! - opens new window)

This program is not only still on the air, fourteen years later, but is now entering syndication.  The theme track has been a staple of the show, with a recognizable “hook” that has become the musical signature for their audience.

On Saturday, December 3, at 4pm – an exciting new version of this longtime theme was unveiled.

“Cutting Edge” – the title of the new version – features Mattie DeDoes on alto sax, in a clever rework of this 60-second piece.  The “GROOVE” is totally different, the TEXTURE and FEEL are more modern, and this short piece has been redesigned to help take “The Internet Advisor” into its next era !

(Click Here for Steve’s “Composer’s Notes,” Discussion on the Project, and hear other interesting 60-second variations !)

…AND HERE IT IS !!!  “Cutting Edge”  !

Composed and produced November 2011 by Steve DeDoes (© 2011)

(Click Here to hear the new “Internet Advisor” theme – titled “Cutting Edge” ! - opens new window)

**Note:  we unveiled the New Theme on Dec. 3, on the air !!  If you were unable to catch us live, you can hear the interview from WJR.  Mattie and Steve DeDoes joined hosts Foster Braun and Gary Baker during the 1st hour of “The Internet Advisor”.

• link to “Internet Advisor” website – opens new window)
• click here for a direct link to the .mp3 file to hear our on-air appearance, from Dec. 3, 2011.

(Click Here to hear Steve’s longtime “Internet Advisor” theme ! - opens new window)

This program is still on the air, fourteen years later, and is now entering syndication.  The theme track has been a staple of the show, with a recognizable “hook”that has become the musical signature for their audience.

And now, after recently “tweaking” the track for timing purposes, Steve and Mattie are producing a new version of this theme, one that they hope will propel hosts Foster Braun and Gary Baker into another successful decade on the air, and with an ever-expanding audience !

(link to “Internet Advisor” website – opens new window)

In addition, Mattie and Steve are expected to be guests on the program to unveil the new theme – possibly in late November.  Stay tuned !

Having recovered sufficiently from his recent illness, Mattie DeDoes helped his Oberlin College Yeomen to a pair of scrimmage victories over league rival Hiram College.  These games represented the culmination of the fall practice season for Oberlin’s squad.

In the first game, Mattie took the mound for three innings, and hurled three no-hit frames to boost the Yeo’s to a 5-2 win.

Then, in the second of the two nine-inning affairs, he entered the game midway through at third base.  With the game tied, he rocketed an RBI double and scored, helping Oberlin achieve a second 5-2 victory.

Baseball work and preparation for the 2012 season will begin to find its way indoors as fall turns to winter.  The physics major also will hit the books hard, and he’ll keep those horn chops up for upcoming recording projects.  His sax work on the WJR theme, and some other musical projects, will take place during Oberlin College’s upcoming fall break (Oct. 24-28).