Mebop

As some of you know, I've got an alternate career as a vocalist; and in my new show, I've finally managed to integrate my musical and literary pursuits. "Mebop" is a collection of classic bebop tunes by composers like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane—most of which have never had lyrics written for them. 

Until now.

I debuted the material last month in Chicago. Here's a clip, of Sonny Rollins's "Oleo"—which I've retitled, "That's Miles."

And for the record, here are my lyrics:

Eyes like fire, mind like sky
Miles
That's the passion of improbable play
Toss a curve, drop a sigh
Then a jubilant swoon
Oh yeah, that's Miles
The shorthand of God

Fleet of feed, deft of hand
Miles
That's the algebra of mojo and mood
First is last, last is vast
From a trickster a prince
Oh yeah, that's Miles to me

There isn't any reason
The laws of physics shouldn't apply
Logic's out of season
No one can cop it, don't even try

Swift as wind, deep as wells
Miles
That's the lexicon of legerdemain
Burns that chill, won'ts that will
Every paradox squared
Oh yeah, that's Miles to me

I'll be doing the show again this weekend—with a smaller ensemble (just bass and guitar)—at House of Blues in West Hollywood. If you're in the neighborhood, swing on by. (And I do mean swing).