July 31, 2012 in Album of the Week
Click above to purchase Brent Jensen and Bill Anschell’s “We Couldn’t Agree More”
Learn Jazz Standards.com is proud to promote saxophonist Brent Jensen and pianist Bill Anschell’s 2009 duo release of “We Couldn’t Agree More”.
On this record two phenomenal musicians come together to join in an intense musical conversation. For this duo recording they chose to play a variety …
July 30, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Invitation” is a tune written by Bronslau Kaper. It was originally used in the 1950 film “A Life of Her Own”, but later became the theme music for 1952 film “Invitation” from which it derived its popularity as a jazz standard.
This is a great tune to play at any tempo, latin, straight-eighth, or swing as it lends itself to …
July 30, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Monk’s Dream” is a tune written by Thelonius Monk and is also the title of his best selling record. “Monk’s Dream” was Monk’s first release with Columbia records. It was issued in 1963.
Click below to purchase this important jazz record, “Monk’s Dream”
One great source used to deliver you the most accurate chord changes to this tune was the …
July 24, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Along Came Betty” is a tune written by Benny Golson.
This tune is a fun one to play! It has a lot of interesting harmonic movement going on, allowing a lot of opportunity for creativity during improvisation. The most famous recording of this song is off of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ “Moanin”. Be sure to check this recording …
July 22, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Little Sunflower” is a tune written by the great trumpeter Freddie Hubbard off of his 1967 album “Backlash”.
This is a modal tune based around the key of D minor, venturing into Eb major and D major during the bridge.
The tune is originally played with a latin/bossa feel but is fun to play with any straight-eighth groove on it. …
July 22, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Skylark” is a tune written by the great Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The tune was written in 1941 and Johnny Mercer struggled for a year after he received the music from Carmichael to come up with the right lyrics. The lyrics express Mercer’s romance with Judy Garland, with whom he had and affair.
This tune is most …
July 22, 2012 in Album of the Week
I have heard it argued that George Benson is the greatest jazz guitarist around today, though much of his music disguises what he’s truly capable of with his endless jazz guitar chops. Certainly he’s one of the very finest jazz guitarists out there. He’s had a stellar career as a music superstar, guitarist, and vocalist, but make no mistake, G.B. …
July 22, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Pannonica” is a tune written by Thelonius Monk. The tune was written in honor of Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter who was a British-born jazz patroness and writer. She was friends to a lot of jazz musicians during the bebop era including Charlie Parker and Mary Lou Williams.
Pannonica features all that is unique and great about Monk’s compositions; key center …
July 18, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Cheryl” is a 12 bar blues written by Charlie “Bird” Parker.
This tune is a great example of the bebop language being fused with the blues.
I’m a big fan of Charlie Parker melodies so I find this blues very enjoyable to play. I like to mention this about playing blues tunes as it pertains to jazz: Use the melody …
July 17, 2012 in Jazz Standards
“Like Someone In Love” is a tune written by Jimmy Van Heusen in 1944 for the film “Belle of Yukon”.
It has since become a popular jazz standard. The melody to this tune is absolutely beautiful and Jimmy Van Heusen yet again proves to be a remarkable composer.
Something to note about this tune is there has been a lot …
