Jazz Book / Video Reviews
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Keyboard Latin Grooves for the Creative Musician (Book and CD) by Rogelio Maya
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Keyboard Latin Grooves for the Creative Musician is a creative work indeed. Rogelio Maya has designed his method in an engaging, educational, and enjoyable manner. The complimentary audio CD further rounds out the student's experience.
There are over ninety-nine Latin style rhythms in this well-organized book. After learning these fundamental rhythmic approches to Latin music, the pianist can easily adapt them...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Wes Montgomery: Best of Boss Guitar by Transcribed by Peter Gaarn Jylor & Edited by Henry Johnson
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Mel Bay has done a great service to the memory of jazz guitar legend Wes Montgomery with the publication of this fine paperback. Carefully transcribed by Peter Gaarn Jylor and edited by Henry Johnson, this item will appeal to a large jazz guitar audience. For those who recall the magic and joy of Wes Montgomery's performances, this is a...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Basics of Drumming Wall Chart by Mel Bay Publications
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Finally, a basics of drumming wall chart that works and is an easy, at-a-glance approach for drummers! This nice, big poster is reasonably priced and a great reference.
Everything the drummer needs for quick review is printed on this easy to read chart. Among the numerous examples are drag rudiments, a visual guide to the numerous forms involved, time signatures,...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Trumpet Method by William Bay
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The first thing you notice about Mel Bay's new Trumpet Method is its hands-on accessibility. Spiral-bound for ease of use, it contains material that will put the would-be jazz trumpet player on the road to success. This is another fine work written by William Bay, and clearly written with many keen insights.
William Bay's Trumpet Method makes for enjoyable reading. ...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Introduction to Trumpet (Book and CD) by Rainer Auerbach
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Another Great Introduction to Trumpet from Mel Bay Publications
Born in 1956 at Zwickau, Germany, Rainer Auerbach has established himself as a leading trumpet player and teacher. His writings on the trumpet are well-known internationally. In this book, which comes with a CD, Auerbach offers a trumpet method for beginners which is clearly stated and highly educational. This course on...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Drum Basics (Book and CD) by Hans-Peter Becker
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Drum Basics by Hans-Peter Becker is one of the finest drum basics books created. Born in 1961, Becker studied at the Percussion Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California. He continues to work as a live performer and as a studio drummer. He is a teacher and founder of the Modern Drum School.
The most intriguing aspect of Drum Basics is...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Drum Rudiments: A Simple Approach by Mat Marucci
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Mat Marucci is a well-known and respected performer and educator. He has performed with Jimmy Smith, Buddy De Franco, Les McCann, John Tchicai, among many others. As a drummer, his recordings have been popular, and well-received critically. Marucci has authored several books on drumming, and this is one of his finest. Samples of his playing can be heard at...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Anyone Can Play Drum Set (DVD with instruction booklet) by Gene Holter
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For those wanting to learn how to play drums, and receive a fine understanding of what drumming is, this material by highly respected drum teacher Gene Holter is a perfect guide. Holter has taught band in public schools for many years and has played drums professionally for over 25 years.
Anyone Can Play Drum Set is a 60 minute...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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From Afro-Cuban Rhythms To Latin Jazz by Raul A. Fernandez
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Raul A. Fernandez has written a fine book about the development of Afro-Cuban Rhythms and Latin jazz. His prose sparkles with insights and accurate data. If you are new to this material, you will discover it is a priceless work for reference; if you are wanting something unusual in scope, this book will also attract you as a reader!...
(Non-Fiction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'N' Roll by Rick Coleman
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Rick Coleman has crafted a memorably written masterpiece in his biography of Fats Domino. What you may have thought you knew about the legend is here, plus much, much more. Fats Domino has had an influence on many genres of music, and he is greatly respected by jazz and blues patrons.
The photos are black & white, and noteworthy because...
(Biography)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Guitar Journals: Chords by William Bay
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The work of William Bay relating to guitar instruction is always on target. He gives material that is both helpful and enjoyable. His latest entry on chords is excellent.
My knowledge of many instruments is varied, and my ability to play them is workable. This guitar book has it all, and is a most useful item to have handy for...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Louis Armstrong's New Orleans by Thomas Brothers
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Thomas Brothers has written a passionate, intimate story about early twentieth-century New Orleans, and it is truly an exciting account where truth is much stranger than fiction. This is a story of a unique American city and a unique American jazz artist.
There are many scenes and locations covered, including Funky Butt Hall. The earthy, wonderful foundations of early American...
(Non-Fiction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Gil Evans: Out of the Cool: His Life and Music by Stephanie Stein Crease
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Award-winning Gil Evans Biography is as Complex and Perceptive as his Music
Gil Evans (b.1912-d.1988) was a legendary jazz composer, arranger, and band leader active to the end, but he will always be remembered for his Miles Davis collaborations: Birth of the Cool, Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, Sketches of Spain, Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall, and Quiet Nights. Author...
(Biography)
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| Book Review by David Seymour |
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Tommy Dorsey: Livin' In a Great Big Way by Peter J. Levinson
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Comprehensive Biography Celebrates the Centennial of Tommy Dorsey's Birth
There was a time when Big Bands ruled the land: brass bands, string bands, swing bands, dance bands, sweet bands, and eventually even jazz bands. For a while, live band music was a national pastime, local entertainment, and the backbone of radio and television. Tommy Dorsey: Livin' in a Great...
(Biography)
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| Book Review by David Seymour |
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Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero
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Jazz education is a burgeoning field these days, with multiple university jazz programs and a great many method books on the market. In spite of this embarrassment of riches, teaching improvisation is still a hit-or-miss affair. One only has to hear the average high-school or college jazz ensemble to confirm this. Reading the parts is one thing-that can be...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Peter Westbrook |
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Bossa Nova & Samba For Guitar (with CD) by Mike Christiansen
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For those jazz guitarists interested in honing their skills with bossa nova and samba music for their performances, this is an ideal instruction book to purchase. Everything you need for learning the techniques and stylings is given in clear instruction.
The accompanying CD contains 45 items which are both enjoyable and helpful. Excellent material adds to the CD's enjoyment. The guitar playing...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Jazz Guitar Photo Chords by Corey Christiansen
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Corey Christiansen once again proves his enduring status as a jazz guitarist with this new instruction book. This is the type of instruction book needed in schools for aspiring guitarists, for it is concise, complete, and totally enjoyable.
Sections covered indepth include tablature, root notes, moveable chord shapes, voicings, and of course, the photographs showing correct finger placement. This book...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Jazz Piano Ad-Lib Phrases by Akimitsu Iwase
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Akimitsu Iwase has crafted a wonderful collection of ad-lib phrases for jazz piano. This reviewer found them deceptively simple in their lively complexity and enjoyed the fingerings!
This collection is bound to improve and enhance any jazz pianist's stylings. It is perfect for an individual who enjoys fresh, imaginative jazz stylings. There is much to learn from this instruction book,...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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120 2-bar ii-V Riffs for Bass by Frank Vignola
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This is another fine entry in the Frank Vignola Jazz Series published by Mel Bay. Although only fifteen pages long, each page is worthy of the attention of jazz guitarists.
What is noteworthy about this book of instruction is the care with which Frank Vignola creates a jazz mood with his various phrase stylings. For instance, the key of E...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Master Anthology of Jazz Guitar Solos, Voume 4 (with CD) by Various Artists
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This is a remarkable collection of jazz guitar solos. There are ten internationally-known and respected jazz guitarists represented. The jazz guitar artists are Bruce Arnold, Sheryl Bailey, Mark Boling, Steve Cardenas, Corey Christiansen, Vic Juris, Larry Koonse, Bruce Saunders, John Stowell, and Anthony Wilson.
Websites, photos, and factual data on each guitarist is given. The reader will discover many facts...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Jazz Guitar Mastery (with CD) by John Stowell
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John Stowell began his career during the early 1970s and was an immediate success. He met the well-known bassist David Friesen and together they formed a poular duo still performing together after thirty years.
A columnist for numerous magazines, he continues to write, teach, and perform on an international level. Stowell lives at Portland, Oregon, and his website is www.johnstowell.com
The CD...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Dave Stryker's Jazz Guitar Improvisation Method (with CD) by Dave Stryker
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Dave Stryker combines a soulful blues feeling with jazz motifs to create unusual sounds. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he moved to New York City in 1980. Stryker recorded his first CD during 1988 and many articles about his distinctive playing style have been published over the years.
The CD which accompanies this fine instruction book gives an indepth look at...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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The Latin Beat by Ed Morales
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The Rhythms and Roots of Latin Music, from Bossa Nova to Salsa and Beyond
Latin Beat was written as a broad overview of Latin music, a continuously evolving creation with European, African, indigenous, and even North American ancestry. The unfortunate downside of any 101 survey course is that many important topics are omitted, misrepresented, or receive very limited treatment. The...
(Non-Fiction)
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| Book Review by David Seymour |
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The Jazz Guitar Stylings of Howard Roberts by Mitch Holder
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Howard Roberts is well-known among jazz guitarists. He is most noted for his tone, phrasing, and the direct, unpretentious approach to music he showed in all of his performances.
As a biographical treatment and original collection of jazz guitar transcriptions, this spiral paperback packs a lot into its 112 pages! There is a dedication by Jeff Skunk Baxter, memories of...
(Musical Instruction)
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| Book Review by Lee Prosser |
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Louisiana Music by Rick Koster
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Rick Koster Nets a Gumbo as Diverse and Delicious as its Namesake
Experts on the subtitled subgenres may not like Louisiana Music. They'll feel too many details were left out, or subtleties were misrepresented. Never mind that. Rick Koster states in his introduction, "this book is about a search for Louisiana music, and it all starts not far from where...
(Non-Fiction)
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| Book Review by David Seymour |
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