Thank you so much for the comments.

DrDalet - Your Pink Panther comment made me laugh. On a re-listen I know what you are talking about!

Tom - I definitely know where you are coming from. I've had this discussion with numerous other musicians, even Andrea on this site. I am a huge fan of modal jazz and especially Miles Davis. The lack of notes is what really draws me to the music. I am probably the biggest fan of Andrea's music and the seeming simplicity of his songs are what makes them so complex.

But I can't play that way. Something about the makeup of my personality and mind don't allow me to do it. To be blundt, my music sounds really stupid when I try to play less notes. My timing is all off and my mind seems to constantly wander off and think of runs I could do or chord changes. Perhaps that's why I'm such a big fan of people that can pull that off.

Your Dad was right. Reminds me somewhat of the movie Amadeus when the king told Mozart that his composition was good but contained "too many notes". I still love that line and think that it DOES fit my version of Summertime. Obviously when I play out I try to control myself and play more of what I think sounds kind of boring renditions of songs. People wouldn't stand for that version of Summertime at a dance, and I can't blame them. So I usually just play standards and very quietly and uneventfully.

Coltrane's Giant Steps is a song that mesmermizes me. Tons of chord changes and runs. I unfortunately don't possess the technical ability nor the knowledge of chords to pull off something like that but I am working towards that goal. I'm giving myself ten years. Seriously.

Incidentally, my wife HATES Giant Steps and she laughed off my Summertime arrangement. Not her cup of tea, either.

And finally, I'm doing a rendition of On Green Dolphin Street now that is VERY slow. I'm hoping I won't kill it with too many notes but I'm working on toning it down.

And I truly appreciate your comments and the fact that you are comfortable stating them out in the open. They are very much appreciated and I do learn from them. Keep the comments coming.

Thanks.

Tommy