demos

A Charmed Life ©2013 by Mike Prigodich

This tune was inspired by a phrase Chick Corea uses to describe his life. I'm also blessed with a charmed life when I stop and think about my family, friends, and positive experiences in my life over the past years and the opportunities ahead in the future. I've had many of my dreams come true in ways I never thought possible. This tune has lots of variety -- interesting bass lines, kicks, drum breaks, pretty melodies and harmonies, and even some counterpoint.

Blues In Suspense ©2009 by Mike Prigodich (from February 4, 2010 gig)

A 24-bar blues It's a 24-bar "blues" (really a 12-bar blues with a 12-bar turn around) that uses suspended 4ths and other unexpected chord changes instead of the usual dominant 7th chords in 5/4 written in honor of the late Michael Brecker. Sounds a bit like Dave Brubeck meets Bud Powell meets Chick Corea.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear ©1995 by Mike Prigodich (from January 3, 2013 gig)

This is a full-band first-time sight-reading clip of my fusion arrangement of the well-known Christmas carol, again heavily influenced by the style of Chick Corea. This is how I imagine his Elektric Band might play this tune. This arrangement ©1995 by Mike Prigodich. 

Lucy Goose ©2012 by Mike Prigodich (from August 26, 2013 gig)

Here's a full-band live gig recording of a new composition called "Lucy Goose". A quick 3/4 latin / flamenco tune inspired by Chick Corea's "La Fiesta". Lucy Goose is our nickname for our pet Lakeland terrier who likes to lie at my feet while I'm playing piano. It's a happy, playful song, just like our dog. ©2012 by Mike Prigodich.

Mexican Mocha ©2001 by Mike Prigodich (from August 26, 2013 gig)

A latin fusion tune in the style of Chick Corea written in honor of my favorite morning beverage. 

Play Tonic Relationships ©2008 by Mike Prigodich (from April 3, 2010 gig)

The tune really needs a tenor sax solo (a la Michael Brecker) and a horn section. There's also a Russell Ferrante/Bob Mintzer/YellowJackets/Brecker Brothers/Victor Wooten/Mike Stern influence.

Someday Syndrome ©2008 by Mike Prigodich (from May 1, 2010 gig)

My ode to procrastination. A fusion tune in 7/4 written in honor of the Progression Jam Session at the Someday Lounge in Portland, OR hosted by Ben Darwish, where the rule was to play originals or call standards in odd time signatures. It sounds a bit like something that Spyro Gyra or the YellowJackets would do. 

Song For Karen ©2013 by Mike Prigodich (from August 26, 2013 gig)

This song was loosely inspired by Chick Corea's "Love Castle" and I tried to imitate some of the concepts in that piece, though it sounds nothing like it. 

The Sky Is Falling ©2009 by Mike Prigodich (from April 3, 2010 gig)

My fusion tune in 6/4 and 5/4 I named "The Sky Is Falling" in honor of our economy. I toyed with a silly play on words like "This Guy Is Pho Ling" but the tune doesn't sound "Thai" enough. Inspired by the Yellowjackets and Andy Milne's Dapp Theory.

Upbeat @ Etude ©2009 by Mike Prigodich (from March 12, 2010 gig)

My piano teacher said it reminded him of Joe Henderson and Chick Corea. Plus, there's a bit of black gospel thrown in at the end for fun, a la Don Grusin and the Yellowjackets. 

We Three Kings ©2007 by Mike Prigodich (from January 3, 2013 gig)

Here's a full-band first-time sight-reading without any rehearsal on a live gig recording of my modern jazz fusion arrangement of the well-known Christmas carol, We Three Kings Of Orient Are, with a very chromatic reharmonization in the style of Chick Corea. 

Bophthalmology ©2010 by Mike Prigodich

A sloppy piano demo of my hard bop tune Bophthalmology, inspired by Chick Corea's Three Quartets album. Not proud of my articulation or soloing abilities (or lack thereof) on it, but it at least gives a rough idea of what it sounds like. My sense of swing is underdeveloped and sounds choppy or hokey. I think Chick or McCoy would play things a bit straighter or more even.

Epic Opus -- Tango Con Fusion ©2012 by Mike Prigodich

Here's a very rough piano-only demo of a new tune I'm writing called "Epic Opus -- Tango Con Fusion". Pretty much insanely difficult (as usual). Think prog rock group Kansas meets pseudo-Argentinean Tango. Or something like that. Piano demo sounds a little stiff trying to play along to a click. If we ever get the nerve to attempt to perform it live or record it in the studio, it could sound kinda coolish. Studio version would definitely need some electric guitar for the full effect.

Unspeakable Loss ©2009 by Mike Prigodich

A solo piano attempt at my new ballad "Unspeakable Loss", in memory of Parker and Eldon, two of my 4-year-old son's preschool classmates who both died on the same day in 2009 in separate incidents.