June 29, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Without A Song” is a tune written by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu. It was published in 1929 and included in the musical play “Great Day”.
It has been recorded and performed by many artists but one note-able recording of the tune is from Sonny Rollins’ comeback album “The Bridge”. Be sure to check this …
June 27, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Joy Spring” is a tune written by the great trumpeter Clifford Brown.
This tune starts and ends in F major but takes a ride through three other key centers in between. It’s a great tune to enjoy listening to, but from a students perspective its also a great tune to shed.
Be sure to check out the original recording of …
June 25, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“If I Were A Bell” is a tune composed by Frank Loesser. It was written for his 1950 musical “Guys and Dolls”. Miles Davis recorded it on his 1956 Prestige record “Relaxin’ With the Miles Davis Quintet” and made this tune popular among jazz musicians. Since than it has been recorded and played by many other artists and is still …
June 24, 2012 in Album of the Week
Click above to purchase Chuck Deardorf’s “Transparence”
Learn Jazz Standards.com is proud to promote bassist Chuck Deardorf’s 2011 release of “Transparence”.
Based out of Seattle, Deardorf has been an integral member of the Northwest jazz scene for over two decades.
The best way to describe “Transparence” is a pallet of many colors. The brilliance of this record is the different …
June 24, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“In A Sentimental Mood” is a ballad written by Duke Ellington. It was composed in 1935 and he recorded it with his orchestra that same year. Duke said the tune was written in Durham, North Carolina. “We had played a big dance in a tobacco warehouse, and afterwards a friend of mine, an executive in the North Carolina Mutual Insurance …
June 21, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Woody’n You” is a tune written by the great trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie.
It has been recorded and performed by many jazz artists over the years.
Something to note on this tune is that sometimes musicians will take the ii V7 up a half step in bar two and bar six of the bridge. Example: /Abm7 Db7/ Am7 D7/ This can …
June 20, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Ornithology” is a tune written by Charlie Parker. The word ornithology means the study of birds which makes this an appropriate title seeing as Charlie Parker’s nickname is “Bird”.
This tune is what we call a “contra-fact” which is a tune that is written over the chord changes of a previously existing tune. “Ornithology” is a melody written over the …
June 16, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Ask Me Now” is a ballad written by Thelonius Monk. This is a really great tune and one of my favorite compositions of Monk’s!
The tune tends to center around the key of Db major, however there is no key indicated on the chord charts due to the many other key centers it explores.
Purchase Ask Me Now Mp3′s
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June 13, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Bag’s Groove” is a 12 bar blues written by the great vibraphonist Milt Jackson. “Bag’s” was Milt Jackson’s nickname.
It’s important to have a decent repertoire of blues heads in your tool belt and this is just another great blues to know. The melody is simple and repetitive yet effectively sets up an attitude for the improvising.
This tune is …
June 11, 2012 in Album of the Week
Click above to purchase the Peter Bernstein Trio’s “Monk”
Learn Jazz Standards.com is proud to support guitarist Peter Bernstein’s 2009 release of “Monk”.
Joining Bernstein on this record is drummer Bill Stewart and bassist Doug Weiss. This is a must have record for all of those who enjoy the modern jazz trio and especially for guitar fans and players.
This …
