Episode 112 - Love The WayEpisode #112 A bossa nova style duet on the Brazilian cavaco banjo and tenor saxophone. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, and youtube. fromSaxojo Episode 111 - ChippyEpisode #111 Chip-style groove combining 5-string American banjo, 4-string Brazilian cavaco banjo, alto sax, bass guitar and drums. Crazy funky tight groove. Inspired by this video by Jonatan Francisco. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. fromSaxojo Episode 110 - C'mon and Get It NowEpisode #110 Imagine if a pep band consisted only of baritone sax and banjo. This is the song they would play. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. fromSaxojo Episode 109 - non kon siefe dui/AstrielaEpisode #109 This song combines male vocals, child vocals, playing a guitar using a credit card as a pick, alto and baritone saxes, handclaps, mandolin, and glockenspiel. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. fromso se kwa Episode 108 - Emergence from the BasementEpisode #108 This song captures the emotion of isolation and then reemergence experienced during the pandemic. It's a combination of free jazz and through-composed music. song available onSpotify, BandCamp, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. from Pandemic Tunes Episode 107 - Ain't Over Till It's OverEpisode #107 Progressive jazz composition about the pandemic. Features saxophones, lap steel guitar, electric bass and percussion. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. from Pandemic Tunes Episode 106 - Ctrl Shift AltEpisode #106 Original uptempo jazz/funk composition with shifting mixed meter, JD Beck-inspired drumming and funk banjo. Also features alto sax and electric bass. I used my varipitch recording technique on the drums and banjo. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon Music. fromSaxojo Episode 105 - Mercy, Mercy, MercyEpisode #105
I take the funky jazz classic Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Cannonball Adderly and Joe Zawinul) and turn it into an upbeat country funk banjo jam. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon Music. from Songs in the Key of Banjo Episode 104 - For Thee We Do AbideEpisode #104
The pandemic episode! This is the most surprising song that I composed and recorded during the global pandemic. It came to me in February 2021 and sounds like a roots music rendition of an old hymn. Features sax and banjo. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. Renamed as Hymn for Hard Times on the albumSaxojo Episode 103 - Whatever It TakesEpisode #103
I came up with a solo banjo arrangement of this song by Imagine Dragons song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. from Songs in the Key of Banjo Episode 102 - SegueEpisode #102
Groovy little instrumental featuring kalimba, ocarina, flute, wow bell, wah-wah pedals and saxophones. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. Episode 101 - Can't Stand Your FunkEpisode #101
Funky banjo arrangement of a 5/4 funk song by John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I explore different techniques on the banjo to make it sound funky, including slides, slaps, strums and finger taps. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. from Songs in the Key of Banjo Episode 100 - O Trem AzulEpisode #100
It's the 100th episode! I am joined by Reese Pike for this episode and we play a jazz duet arrangement of O Trem Azul, one of my favorite songs written by Brazilian artist Lô Borges. Watch the live stream concert of the Pike Duo where we performed this song along with others from our favorite albums. The original version of this song is from the album Clube da Esquina Episode 99 - The Rockinest BandEpisode #99
A song for all the garage rockers and basement jams of your youth song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. fromRock n Roll Wasteland Episode 98 - You Can't Always Get What You WantEpisode #98
My solo banjo arrangement of the Rolling Stones classic. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon. from Songs in the Key of Banjo Episode 97 - Beethoven PathetiqueEpisode #97
Classical Jazz! This is my jazz ballad arrangement of Beethoven's famous Adagio Cantabile from the Pathetique Piano Sonata. Arranged for 2 alto saxes, guitar, bass and drums. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon.
Episode 96 - Something for CatEpisode #96
This is an arrangement of a song by Henry Mancini from the Audrey Hepburn movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. Arranged for alto sax, bari sax, acoustic bass guitar, bongos, guiro and tin can. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, youtube and Amazon.
Episode 95 - Sweet EmotionEpisode #95
This is my solo banjo arrangement of Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion. song available onSpotify, Apple Music, Amazon and youtube. from Songs in the Key of Banjo Episode 94 - Chained to the RhythmEpisode #94
Here is my saxophone and banjo cover of Katy Perry's song Chained to the Rhythm. I recorded the percussion and bass at lower sampling rates using my "varipitch human quantization technique". Song features finger snaps, acoustic guitar, keyboard bass, banjo and alto sax. song available onSpotify, and Apple Music Episode 93 - Keep the Pin SteadyEpisode #93
A blast from the past but tied to the present. I added tenor sax through distortion and wah-wah pedal to an EDM-groove recording of mine from 2000. Also features the recording debut of my old Star Bird. fromFunky Junkie (20th anniversary special edition) song available onSpotify and Apple Music Episode 92 - nayeteEpisode #92
Global music ballad with recorders, acoustic guitar, piano, percussion, bass and a saxophone solo. Also features a lot of vocal harmony parts. fromso se kwa song available onSpotify, Apple Music, and youtube. Episode 91 - In the Summer TimesEpisode #91
Funky jazz jam kind of like a late night TV show theme. Featuring trumpet through a pedal effect, alto and bari sax, wah-wah guitar and electric bass. from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes, and youtube. Episode 90 - 68940 (aka Funk NE)Episode #90
Alto sax, electric guitar, banjo, electric bass and drums in a funky, quasi-blues composition. Some really great solos over a form that has a few twists in it. from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes, and youtube. Episode 89 - DH FunkEpisode #89
A funky little groove track that combines mandolin sounds with solo sax. Also features a shaker through a distortion pedal. song available onSpotify, Amazon, Apple Music, and youtube. Episode 88 - Crowdsource WaltzEpisode #88
1. Listen to a bunch of Strauss waltzes. 2. Record crowd noise at a basketball game and pre-concert warmups for youth band and orchestra concerts. 3. Combine and mix from The Sound of Things song available onAmazon, iTunes, youtube, Spotify, and as a free download Episode 87 - The Fifth ParallelEpisode #87
Saxophone Madness...I play drums and multiple tracks of alto sax, tenor sax and baritone sax on this instrumental funk jam. from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes, and youtube. Episode 86 - Mr. BadassEpisode #86
Inspired by the 1975 jazz/funk classic Mr. Magic, this piece features a slow-burn laid-back groove with tenor sax. from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes, and youtube. Episode 85 - The Ol' BallgameEpisode #85
I combine the sounds from my old 1980 Sears Electronic Baseball game with alto sax and field recordings of a little league baseball game. from The Sound of Things available on Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, and youtube. Episode 84 - Bag o' TricksEpisode #84
A modern jazz composition that features a Rogue RLS-1 lap steel guitar with flute, alto sax, keyboard, electric bass and drums. This episode I include 3 versions of this song. The second is a ballad version featuring alto sax and guitar. from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes and youtube.
You can listen to the lap steel guitar version on youtube ballad version available on youtube and SpotifyEpisode 83 - TRASH-80Episode #83
I converted my latin-esque song microjazz into a new funky instrumental featuring sax, keyboard, electric bass (with pedal effects) and drums. Also features sounds from the original Radio Shack TRS-80 computer. This song is a tribute to that early, powerful-yet-clunky computer from the '80s. from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes and youtube. original version of microjazz available on Spotify and AmazonEpisode 82 - Peace of MindEpisode #82
I recorded this song in the mid-nineties in a walk-in closet. I used scissors, a rubber band, house keys and me thumping on my chest for the background percussion groove. from Confessions of a DIY Junkie song available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and youtube. Episode 81 - That Big Ol Chunka Funk is BackEpisode #81
A new version of my song Big Ol Chunka Funk, featuring me on tenor sax along with alto sax. This was recorded in 2 phases. I recorded the whole track first in a live session at a studio with a quartet. Then I added tenor sax back in my home studio and edited the form. from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes and youtube.
original version available on Spotify Episode 80 - Bring It On Home (redux)Episode #80
Great laid-back soul jazz vibe to this one. I took an unreleased recording from 4 years ago, edited the form, added bari sax to the melody, and also created an alto/bari soli section. You can listen to episode 64 to hear the original recorded version before I made these changes.
from FUNK 204 song available onSpotify, Amazon, iTunes, and youtube. Episode 79 - Home Away from HomeEpisode #79
Saxophone and drums improvisation over bass ostinato. Really proud of my sax solo on this one...channeled my inner-Coltrane. Also hidden in this piece is me playing orchestral chimes. from Out of the Plains song available on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and youtube.
Episode 78 - MoreEpisode #78
Here's a fun little song I wrote in the mid-nineties. Used a Boss DR-660 drum machine for the drum programming, a Yamaha DSR-1000 keyboard, and ran my tenor saxophone through a wah-wah pedal for the solo in the middle. It's from my first album release, I.
fromI Good luck finding this song anywhere else on the web. It was created in the early days of the internet, before MP3's were invented. Episode 77 - The Sound of ThingsEpisode #77
The conclusion to my album The Sound of Things is a symphonic recomposition of the first 12 tracks on the album. Essentially a collage piece, I created a 4-movement symphony by digitally editing together different fragments from my original compositions.
Movements are: 1. Allegro ma non troppo 2. Dolce e cantabile 3. Agitato un poco loco 4. Vivace con brio from The Sound of Things This piece is available on youtube, Amazon, iTunes and Spotify. Episode 76 - Out of the PlainsEpisode #76
This song features David Seay on hurdy gurdy. I play bari sax and alto sax on the piece, and John Kotchian uses brushes on the drums. from Out of the Plains song available on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and youtube.
Episode 75 - MagicEpisode #75
This piece combines saxophone, music box and fireworks with 2 kids and 2 adults playing handheld percussion instruments. It's about the truly magical events in your life. from The Sound of Things song available on youtube, Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. Episode 74 - Green SkyEpisode #74
In Nebraska, the sky turns green right before a big storm. This piece evokes the power of a midwest storm, complete with thunder (thunder sheet), wind (whirly tube) and rain (rainstick). Orchestration also includes upright bass, wind chimes, drums, baritone saxophones and alto saxophones. from Out of the Plains song available on Amazon, Spotify, iTunes and youtube.
Episode 73 - A Walk in the Nonlinear MatrixEpisode #73
This piece is about the ever-changing landscape due to population sprawl. I combined field recordings I made when walking my dog with instruments such as baritone saxophone, electric bass, a Native American flute, out-of-tune drum toms turned upside down, and glass bottles. I consider the overlapping sounds from man and nature that we hear every day as a sort of "nonlinear matrix" of sound. from The Sound of Things song available on youtube, Amazon, iTunes and Spotify. Episode 72 - 21st Century AmbitionEpisode #72
This composition is about the role of technology in the 21st century and the path it takes from idea stage to ubiquitous mass production. Orchestration includes my basement water faucet, alto saxophone, mandolin with guitar slide, a vacuum cleaner, an assortment of percussion instruments, broiler pans and other cookware, the inside of a manufacturing plant and a freight train. from The Sound of Things song available on youtube, Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. Episode 71 - ClickEpisode #71
I used an empty popcorn tin, alto sax, melodica, bari sax and typewriter to record this piece. The click of my wedding ring hitting the side of the metallic popcorn canister is the basis for the alto sax line. from The Sound of Things song available on youtube and Amazon Episode 70 - Funky JunkieEpisode #70
Sax-infused house music from my EDM album of the same name. I recorded this in 1998 when I was experimenting with digital effects like auto-wah and octave transformers on vocals. One of my favorite recorded sax solos of all time. fromFunky Junkie song available on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, and youtube. Watch the video I made in 2006 that featured my cat, my daughter's dollhouse furniture, the Ewok Village and the Funky Junkie. Episode 69 - Turning and TurningEpisode #69
Contemporary Classical composition of mine from 1994. Uses a 12-tone row and other musical concepts to depict the "widening gyre" from Yeats' The Second Coming. Written for soprano, flute, clarinet, piano and baritone saxophone. This is a recording of a live performance of the piece.Episode 68 - Demons In Your HeadEpisode #68
A song about the negative voices in your head. Explores having two parts in different tempos going at the same time. Listen to this song on headphones to get the full effect of the layered guitar tracks. from Confessions of a DIY junkie song available on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and youtubeEpisode 67 - Life is... SuiteEpisode #67
A 5-movement suite I recorded in 1998. My favorite part is the second movement which is essentially a drum solo over a theme that modulates through all 12 keys.
The movements are 1. Sleepwalking 2. Live 3. Tropopause 4. Winds of Change 5. Balance Some of the movements are available on Amazon:Live - Winds of Change - Balance
You can listen to episodes 25 and 43 for more on the last 2 movements of this suite. Episode 66 - The Cat's MeowEpisode #66
Funny (and a bit crazy) song featuring some of the coolest cats around. Orchestration is alto sax, baritone sax, piano and 2 cats. I recorded my cats for two weeks so I had a collection of meow and purr samples I could work into this composition. Special thanks to Milton and Simone for their vocals and percussion on this song. from The Sound of Things song available onAmazon and youtube Episode 65 - Ellen's BagEpisode #65
Third stream composition that combines flute, alto saxophone with a classical mouthpiece, tenor saxophone, wood blocks, acoustic bass guitar and keyboard. I experiment with recording background parts in the hallway with the microphone in another room. frommicrojazz song available onAmazon MP3, iTunes and Spotify.
Episode 64 - Bring It On HomeEpisode #64
Here's a laid-back instrumental funk tune as recorded in 2012. Features sax, keyboard, electric bass and drums. song available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify and youtube.
Episode 63 - SnippetsEpisode #63
No completed song this episode. Instead I threw together a bunch of tracks I've been working on that are really just fragmented ideas. I may use them in a song later, or just forgot about them. Yet another approach to composing--hit record, see what happens, then build on it if it sparks an idea.
Some odd sounds in this episode -- snack tracks (looped fizz from a bottle of pepsi and crinkling bags of chips), drum machine through wah-wah pedal, experimental solo sax and toy piano. Episode 62 - Didn't Want To Be Your LoverEpisode #62
Humorous indie rock track from my 2002 album Rock n Roll Wasteland. Experimented with different picks on the guitars, including using a screwdriver on my acoustic guitar. Recorded on a digital 8-track, I messed around with double and triple tracking instruments and then bounced those tracks into one.
song available oniTunes, Amazon MP3 and Spotify.
from Rock n Roll Wasteland. Episode 61 - Birth of a MovementEpisode #61
Improvisation by the Kevin Pike/John Kotchian Duo. In this song, a simple 3-note theme is established by the bass drum and toms and expanded by the alto sax until it hits a feverish point 2/3 through the form.
song available on youtube and Amazon. hear more music like this at the Kevin Pike/John Kotchian Duo website from pulse/flow. Episode 60 - voce brichon pianoEpisode #60
Densely layered latin jazz song that features percussion, electric bass, banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, alto sax and vocals. This is the final track to my album so se kwa. The ending incorporates the melodic theme of the album in its final variation of piano and wordless vocal.
song available oniTunes, Spotify and Amazon MP3.
from so se kwa. Episode 59 - Big Ol Chunka FunkEpisode #59
Dirty, laid-back funk track. Alto sax, electric guitar, electric bass, mandolin and drums.
song available oniTunesandAmazon MP3.
from Big Ol Chunka Funk. Episode 58 - Axis and AlliesEpisode #58
I love the Milton Bradley board game Axis and Allies and have been playing it since I was a kid. We always listen to music while we play, so as a joke I created a theme song to get us pumped for the game. Check out this killer mixed-meter rock jam that asks the question "Axis and Allies -- who will be reigning champ?" Learn more about the game Axis and Allies song available oniTunes, Amazon, Spotify and youtube. Episode 57 - Back At ItEpisode #57
I was fooling around one night and recorded this track. I created a groove with a plastic drumhead from a toy drum and a toy ukulele. Then I added a sax solo over top. In 2015 I added a bunch of new parts to this song to createHear Me out, the 12th track on my album The Sound of Things Episode 56 - Neo-Con FusionEpisode #56
Here's a free jazz improvisation in 3/4 time that gradually builds from beginning to end. Kevin Pike on alto sax and John Kotchian on drums. fromFractured Intuition song available on youtube, iTunes, and Amazon. Episode 55 - Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)Episode #55
This is my somewhat trippy version of the classic Irish folk song. It's got a nice laid-back, free vibe to it. On this track I play cymbals, organ and 2 tracks of alto sax. I recorded it in March of 2011. song available on youtube, Spotify, Amazon and iTunes. Episode 54 - hiaeiEpisode #54
A laid-back Brazilian love song with a Bossa Nova vibe. Featuring Afuche/Cabasa, brushes on an African drum, flutes, clarinet, acoustic guitar and vocals. This is the second song I created for my Brazilian music tribute, so se kwa. I was listening to a lot of Antonio Carlos Jobim when I wrote this song. fromso se kwa song available on iTunes, Amazon.comandSpotify Episode 53 - The Fool on the HillEpisode #53
This is my arrangement of the Beatles' song The Fool on the Hill from Magical Mystery Tour. While the original is in 4/4 time, I changed it to a jazz waltz. I also added some chord substitutions. John Kregor is on guitar and I play alto sax on this duet. from my jazz duets album One by One song available on youtube, Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon.
Also watch the original version by the Beatles on youtubeEpisode 52 - GreenEpisode #52
A blast from the past. This song is from my first album I (1998). Killer bass line on this one, plus a great bari sax/flute soli in the middle. from I Check out the video for Green on youtube Years later I transformed this song into Mr. Badass. Episode 51 - Cluster VoicesEpisode #51
This is a free jazz improvisation by Kevin Pike on alto sax and John Kotchian on drums. It was recorded in 2008 by the Kevin Pike/John Kotchian Duo. Though it is an improvisation, there is a definite form to the piece: 1. Intro where the tonality is established, but not the time or tempo 2. Repeated rhythmic pattern with theme and variations 3. Intense, "angry jazz" ending song available onyoutube and Amazon For more music like this, visit the Duo's website at FracturedIntuition.com Episode 50 - so se kwaEpisode #50
Here's the title track to my DIY global music album so se kwa. The song features me on mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar, electric bass, latin percussion, alto sax, flute and vocals over a mixed-meter groove (4/4+2/4+6/16). The end section is the tema, or recurring theme from the album. This track took me a year to finish. fromso se kwa song available on iTunes, AmazonandSpotify Episode 49 - ria, ria (markome vu)Episode #49
This is from my Brazilian corner club music tribute so se kwa. It was inspired by Milton Nascimento's Maria, Maria and Paisagem da Janela by Lo Borges and Fernando Brant. Features piano, acoustic guitar with slide, baritone sax, flute, toy piano and a unison falsetto vocal/acoustic guitar solo. fromso se kwa song available on iTunes, Amazon and youtube Episode 48 - Make it a Good OneEpisode #48 This piece is an improvisation I recorded with Omaha jazz legend Luigi Waites. I play alto sax on this and Luigi is on drums. It's from a session of duets we recorded in 2007.
You can listen to this NPR story on Omaha music that features Luigi (and his group Luigi inc) and the Kevin Pike/John Kotchian Duo. Episode 47 - BBQEpisode #47
If an outdoor barbecue could have a soundtrack, this would be it. Podcast contains 2 versions of this feel-good funky track with organ, acoustic guitar and wah-wah bass. Second version adds alto sax. Version #1 from Funky Junkie available on iTunes and Amazon.com
Version #2 from Big Ol Chunka Funk available on iTunes and Amazon.com Episode 46 - The Christmas SongEpisode #46
This is an arrangement of Mel Torme's classic The Christmas Song. It features flute, keyboard, bari sax and various percussion (bongos, shaker, handclaps). If you like this track, check out my Christmas album, Captain Snowball and the Ho Ho Ho Band. It's available on iTunes and Spotify. Episode 45 - MillenniumEpisode #45
The epic conclusion to my microjazz album, this 3-part jazz fusion suite features kalimba thumb piano, extended alto sax solos, varipitch recording on the bongos, a jammin' Chuck Hosch bass solo, musical typewriter and other DIY madness. Took me a long time to put together. song available on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon.com. frommicrojazz Episode 44 - BoliviaEpisode # 44
My saxophone duet arrangement of the classic Cedar Walton jazz tune. Features Doug Angelaccio on alto sax and Kevin Pike on baritone sax.
from my jazz duets album One By One Episode 43 - Winds of ChangeEpisode # 43
Experimental mixed-meter rock with a kick-ass riff on the chorus and saxophone-with-distortion solo in the middle. song available on Amazon.com, youtube and iTunes Episode 42 - Too Late for Goodbyes/Chains of Love MedleyEpisode # 42
Wacky song this week. I take 2 semi-obscure eighties pop hits -- Too Late for Goodbyes by Julian Lennon and Chains of Love by Erasure -- and combine them into one song. Featuring alto sax, wooden blocks with sand paper on them, shaker, keyboard and triangle. Episode 41 - Rocket ManEpisode # 41
This is Elton John's classic Rocket Man arranged for alto sax and acoustic bass guitar. I mess around with the time signature on this, throwing in some mixed meter and double-time swing. from my jazz duets albumOne By One Episode 40 - All The TimeEpisode # 40
Quirky little pop tune that features a Yamaha keyboard with a broken C# key (get your finger anywhere near it and it blurts out a C#), vocal through distortion, a bizarre feedback-esque alto sax solo and a great pop vibe. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. fromConfessions of a DIY Junkie Episode 39 - DetourEpisode # 39 John Kotchian plays drums and upright bass on this track, and I jam on the baritone sax and add in some handclaps. song available on youtube, iTunes, Spotify and Amazon. fromFractured Intuition
More music like this at the Fractured Intuition website.
Episode 38 - SaxomophunkEpisode # 38
I lay down a funky bari sax line then layer 3 alto saxes on top, plus a drum beat and some real hand claps. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. fromBig Ol Chunka FunkEpisode 37 - I Got Legs for ThisEpisode # 37 DIY hip-hop in which I sample my own boombox recording from '89 and layer it with a quasi-rap melody. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. fromConfessions of a DIY JunkieEpisode 36 - Falling Into YouEpisode # 36
Pop/rock song about suddenly falling for someone. Features brass slide on electric guitar, electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin string noise and my vocal harmonizer effect box. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. fromRock n Roll WastelandEpisode 35 - Hippopotamus RexEpisode # 35
Alto sax and organ backed up by guiro and bass. What began as a second line groove morphed into this sparsely orchestrated jazz tune. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. frommicrojazzEpisode 34 - ase nascimentoEpisode #34
This is from so se kwa, my tribute to Milton Nascimento and the music of Clube da Esquina. In it, I include washboard, shekere, mandolin, party noisemaker, a brass slide on acoustic guitar with alternate tunings, whistling and extensive falsetto. Also, check out the mixed meter chorus (8+5+9). fromso se kwa song available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify Episode 33 - Blah Blah BlahEpisode #33
Baritone sax, African hand drum and guiro mixed in with lots of keyboard through distorion and blah blah blah song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromFunky JunkieEpisode 32 - Mondo MandoEpisode #32
Mandolin Madness! I overdub mandolin many, many times and add in some alto sax and funky bass. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com and youtube fromBig Ol Chunka FunkEpisode 31 - O Christmas Tree / Angels We Have Heard On HighEpisode #31
More than just a Christmas medley, I combine these 2 classic Christmas carols with a bossa nova groove and saxophones. song available on iTunes fromChristmas Snowballin'Episode 30 - You Got ItEpisode #30
Latin-tinged techno featuring vocal changer effects and my old Boss DR-660 drum machine. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromFunky JunkieEpisode 29 - Fanfare for the Silver HorseEpisode #29
My tribute to Horace Silver. I play saxophone, keyboard, tambourine, bongos and egg shaker on this tune. Features Adam Johnson on bass and Ken Johnson on trumpet (no, they are not related). song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. frommicrojazzEpisode 28 - Ode to the Convenience StoreEpisode #28
DIY insanity! I sample my old tape recordings from the '80s, add effects, cut and paste and then layer new material. Featuring my debut on a child-size violin and my vintage Star Wars lightsaber. available on Amazon.com and iTunes Episode 27 - SugarEpisode #27
This is my arrangement of jazz great Stanley Turrentine's most famous song. It's a duet with me on alto sax and John Kregor on guitar. I've added a unison intro to the song, sped up the tempo, and added a pedal over the head [jazz-ese translation: the note in the bass stays the same while the chords change in the beginning of the song]. from my jazz duets album One By One
Check out the original version of Sugar by Stanley Turrentine song available on youtube, iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.
Episode 26 - What's Cookin'Episode #26
Funky mandolin feature with harmonica through wah-wah-pedal, electric upright bass, organ and bari sax. In this episode I also discuss my varipitch trick for recording fast licks at a slower tempo. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromBig Ol Chunka FunkEpisode 25 - BalanceEpisode #25
I experiment with balancing different musical elements, such as high and low, mixing in the left and right channel, odd and even meters and short and long versions of a musical theme. Features alto sax, tenor sax, flute, recorder, wooden flute, shaker, keyboard and chest thumping. song available on iTunesandAmazon.com. frommicrojazzEpisode 24 - The Theme from Sesame StreetEpisode #24
I take the classic theme from Sesame Street and juxtapose it over a minor groove in 5/4 time. song available onSpotify and youtube
You can also check out my solo sax version of this song on youtube. Episode 23 - 3 Songs for the Price of 1Episode #23
A musical smorgasbord in which I combine 3 songs into 1. Indie rock featuring wooden flute, distorted guitar and vocals. song available on iTunesandAmazon.com fromConfessions of a DIY Junkie Episode 22 - Echoes of Another TimeEpisode # 22
A somber jazz ballad featuring Kevin Pike on alto sax and John Kotchian on drums and bass. A 1-second delay effect on the saxophone makes for some unique harmonies. song available on iTunes fromFractured Intuition Click here to go to the Kevin Pike/John Kotchian free jazz duo website. Episode 21 - Bolero: Ravel vs. ColtraneEpisode #21
Here is my jazz version of the famous classical piece by Maurice Ravel. Has a McCoy Tyner/John Coltrane feel to it. Song available on Amazon and Apple Music You can check out the original orchestral version by Ravel on youtube.
Episode 20 - Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Cantata No. 140 by J.S. Bach)Episode #20
I arranged the theme from the 4th movement of Bach's Canata No. 140 as a duet for alto and baritone saxophone. song available on iTunes and youtube. from the album Wachet Auf, und spielt das SaxofonEpisode 19 - Sea MonkeyEpisode #19
A song that asks the question "Why can't I see my sea monkey?" Featuring a funky sax solo and lots of chorus effect. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromFunky JunkieEpisode 18 - Willow Weep for MeEpisode #18
The famous jazz standard arranged by Kevin Pike for alto sax and baritone sax fromOne By OneEpisode 17 - Rock n Roll Wasteland, parts 1 and 2Episode #17
The epic conclusion to my Rock n Roll Wasteland album, in the style of a seventies rock opera song available on iTunes, Amazon.com and youtube
from Rock n Roll WastelandEpisode 16 - ValeEpisode #16 jazz minimalism: 2 chords + an extended tenor sax solo, backed by brush clicks, bongos, shaker, piano and bari sax. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. frommicrojazzEpisode 15 - Space DogEpisode #15
I open up the vault and find a rare electronica/video game music track I wrote 10 years ago. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromPodcast MusicEpisode 14 - King WahEpisode #14
Big, happy groove with lots of wah-wah, alto sax and bari sax song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromBig Ol Chunka FunkEpisode 13 - Hymn for the New AmericaEpisode #13
A song about moving beyond the racism in America's past and present. Featuring organ, guitar, mandolin and harmonica song available on iTunes and Amazon.com
fromRock n Roll WastelandEpisode 12 - BQCT BluesEpisode #12
This is a mixed-meter funky jazz tune featuring saxophones and a slap bass solo by Chuck Hosch.
You can also watch the video to see all my notes and scribbles from when I was working on this song. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com. frommicrojazzEpisode 11 - AftermathEpisode #11
My collaboration with John Kotchian is a series of free jazz improvisations edited
together. song available on iTunes and Amazon fromFractured Intuition Click here to go to the Kevin Pike/John Kotchian free jazz duo website. Episode 10 - Gimme Some StuffsEpisode #10
Gettin' funky with bari sax, guitar and alto sax through a wah-wah pedal song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromBig Ol Chunka FunkEpisode 9 - It's AlrightEpisode #9
fun with vocal effects to make it sound like a group song available on iTunes and Amazon.com fromFunky JunkieEpisode 8 - Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)Episode #8
Brian Wilson meets Horace Silver: my cover of the Beach Boys' song from the classic Pet Sounds album song available onSpotify and youtube. Episode 7 - Wednesday Night BoogieEpisode #7
I jam on alto sax with piano and handclaps backing me up. Recorded this on a Wednesday night. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com frommicrojazzEpisode 6 - HoneybunEpisode #6
Funny tribute to the Little Debbie Honeybun with banjo, melodica and electric guitar song available on iTunesandAmazon MP3. fromConfessions of a DIY Junkie
You can also watch a very strange music video of Honeybun on youtube Episode 5 - God Rest Ye Merry GentlemenEpisode #5
Funky jazz arrangement in 5/4 of the traditional Christmas carol. song available on iTunes
fromChristmas Snowballin'Episode 4 - Jolly Old St. NicholasEpisode #4
Bet you've never heard this Christmas classic played like this before. song available on iTunes
fromChristmas Snowballin'Episode 3 - Vibraslap ManEpisode #3
This is a song I wrote in 2002 that features the vibraslap. "Vibraslap Man, you're part of the band. If you love what you do, that's cool with me and good for you." song available on youtube, iTunes and Amazon MP3
from Rock n Roll WastelandEpisode 2 - Loco MotifEpisode #2
This is my best impression of a train. I used woodwinds, a steel drum, party noisemakers and a triangle. song available on youtube, iTunes and Amazon.com
from microjazzEpisode 1 - the Typewriter JamEpisode #1
I jam on an old-fashioned typewriter and alto sax through an effects pedal. song available on iTunes and Amazon.com