Recently I have begun to incorporate themes from sources beyond “jazz” into my repertoire. Specifically science fiction themes. The jazz songbook is wonderful, but what does a show theme written 50(or more) years ago really mean to me as a 28 year old living in 2009. Those songs (to me) have become nothing more than vehicles to improvise from. I can study them and learn from them but if I am to bear my soul and emotions to an audience I must be honest. That honesty means choosing music that has a direct relation to my life. I have not listened to “stella by starlight” more than 20 times in my entire life, but I have listened to the theme to star wars hundreds of times if not thousands, and hum it at least twice a day if not more.
I love the feel, spontaneity, and challenge of improvisation, I love Science Fiction stories and themes, and I grew up in the 80s/90s.

Here are some tunes from a live concert where I have begun to incorporate these different themes from my life. I hope you enjoy.

Little Green Men:

Michael Pinto (vibraphone), Garrett Brown (drums), Chris Tordini (bass)

1. Tron Scherzo
2. Terminator the Sarah Connor Chronicles theme