February 29, 2012 in Jazz Standards
A Night in Tunisia is a colorful tune written by arguably jazz music’s most colorful character-Dizzy Gillespie. Jazz folklore has it that Dizzy Gillespie penned A Night in Tunisia, also known as Night in Tunisia, on the bottom of a garbage can, with Art Blakey present. A Night in Tunisia is a VERY important jazz standard, and it has been …
February 29, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Prelude To A Kiss” is a ballad composed by the great Duke Ellington and Irving Mills in 1938. Lyrics were written by Irving Gordon.
This is an absolutely beautiful melody and a brilliant composition. Duke Ellington is of course one of the great composers of the American songbook and all of his tunes are worth looking into to.
It follows …
February 28, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Darn That Dream” is a beautiful ballad written by Jimmy Van Huesen and lyrics by Eddie DeLange.
The tune was introduced by the Broadway musical “Swingin’ The Dream”.
This is a must know ballad and is called often while on the gig and at jam sessions.
This is also a tune that can have different sets of alternate changes so …
February 27, 2012 in Jazz Standards
C-Jam Blues is a great first jazz tune. It’s so simple to learn the melody by ear, and yet it swings so hard that pros still love to jam on it. It’s a 12-bar blues, and the melody is the same 2-note phrase repeated 3 times (per chorus). In addition to the normal play along, pdf of the chord changes, …
February 27, 2012 in Jazz Standards
Days of Wine and Roses is one of my favorite tunes. I have always loved the changes, and it’s got a great melody. Henry Mancini wrote the Days of Wine and Roses for a 1962 movie by the same name. The movie was adapted from a 1958 television drama, also by the same name, which dramatized the problems of alcoholism. …
February 27, 2012 in Uncategorized
I saw this, and I had to post it immediately…this is hilarious!
Long live Trane’s music…if you want to practice Giant Steps, click here.
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February 26, 2012 in Album of the Week
Click link above to purchase Gilad Hekselman’s “Hearts Wide Open” Featuring Joe Martin, Mark Turner and Marcus Gilmore
Because listening to jazz is so important to the jazz musician, Learn Jazz Standards is starting to promote the albums of current jazz artists. It’s important to be familiar with old classic recordings, BUT we should really all stay current on all …
February 26, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Beatrice” is a tune written by the famous jazz musician and composer Sam Rivers who passed away recently in December of 2011. Sam Rivers was a very influential and prominent artist in jazz and will be missed.
“Beatrice” is a beautiful tune and is one that many enjoy calling on gigs and sessions.
Note: In bar 12 of the chord …
February 26, 2012 in Jazz Standards
Chi Chi is a jazz blues in Ab by Charlie Parker. Bird recorded this track in 1953 at his last significant recording session before he passed away in 1955. This same recording session also yielded classic recordings of Confirmation and Now’s the Time. Bird’s solo on one of his recordings of Chi Chi is immortalized in the Omnibook. Click here …
February 20, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Body and Soul” is a popular tune written in 1930 by Johnny Green.
This is one of the most commonly called jazz ballads of all time. It was first recorded by Jack Hilton and his Orchestra and later it was used as the theme for the 1947 film “Body and Soul”.
Perhaps one of the most popular versions of this …
