JEI NEWSLETTER NO. 9 MAY 2013 PROVIDING JAZZ RESOURCES FOR IOWA’S EDUCATORS A Word From The President JEI President’s Message As summer approaches, many transcribed” many of the lines on those of us are putting together our summer recordings, which suggest themselves to reading lists utilizing suggestions from me at unexpected times while I am friends, the best seller list from the New improvising. Deep listening to a few York Times, and other trusted sources. choice cuts has provided me with a We rely on them to filter out works of seemingly limitless supply of ideas to lesser quality. Our students rely on us to draw upon and develop. I would be that trusted source for inspiring challenge students to pick one recording JEI BOARD listening suggestions. They may be that really speaks to them—just one track looking for guidance in not only who to —and listen to it every day for a month, PRESIDENT listen to, but also what to listen FOR, or then try to sing the solos without the even HOW to listen deeply. This issue of track. I think they will be surprised by CHRIS MERZ the newsletter attempts to address those how much sonic information they retain questions. Each article takes a slightly and can recall from a piece so absorbed, different slant on those issues. In addition, and by how much mileage they can get PRESIDENT-ELECT JEI members and invited guests have from this “limited” amount of recorded KYLE ENGELHARDT assembled “top five” (or a few more) lists information. of essential recordings for each instrument and voice. Again, each list In addition to the great articles reflects the unique perspective of its and listening lists from our board and PAST PRESIDENT contributor. Some offer suggestions for invited contributors, be sure to check out RODNEY PIERSON first transcriptions, while others attempt the camp and festival listing assembled by to give representative recordings from a Mike Pritchard. With the myriad camps number of different styles or eras. The offered around the state, there is common thread is quality. Each something to keep every interested VICE-PRESIDENT contributor has given us only “desert student engaged, and summer festivals to STEVE SHANLEY island” choices. inspire students, educators, and fans alike. Bring on the summer! There is no doubt that the rise of services like Spotify has created a Inspiring Writing SECRETARY “golden age” of accessibility to great jazz Christopher Merz JEFF SCHAFER recordings. These days, students have no excuse for not checking out the masters It has been said that the best on their instrument. Indeed, I have met jazz improvisations sound composed (in many young adults who have collections other words, have a clear structure and TREASURER of music files on a dedicated hard drive of proceed logically and elegantly), and the MYRON PETERSON a terabyte or larger. How things have best jazz compositions sound improvised changed! Growing up in rural Iowa in the (loose, free, and off the cuff). Here are a 1970’s and 80’s, I was lucky to have a Join us on few of my favorite jazz compositions, dozen or so real jazz recordings. Yet that each of which, in my mind, meets that was enough to keep me inspired to keep description. I had no agenda other than practicing. I think the difference is that to pick one piece from each of my now, because students have access to so favorite writers. Here they are, in the much music instantly, they rarely take the order in which I first discovered them: Listen to Jazz time to investigate any recording thoroughly. By contrast, I still remember “Piece for Five,” Kenny Wheeler, Deer every nuance on many of those first vinyl Wan, ECM 1977 lps I bought in high school, from the drum fills to the comping gestures. And, Still my favorite Kenny of course, the solos: growing up, we Learn more Wheeler cd, and his as well! I love the considered it a badge of honor to be able way this mini-suite has solo space for to sing along with all of the solos on a each member of the ensemble--different record. To this day there are CDs I buy settings for each, not the typical head- that might live in my cd player (old guy solos-head format of most jazz alert), listened to every day, for a month performances (except for the guitar solo or more. I have absorbed and “passively by John Abercrombie and the tenor FOR JAZZ EDUCATORS www.jeiowa.org JEI NEWSLETTER NO. 9 MAY 2013 saxophone solo by Jan Garbarek, which “Miss Missouri,” Benny Carter, Kansas solo--even just a few phrases would be both develop the material from the City Suite, Roulette 1960 (Count Basie) beneficial. Another bonus of this track: second theme). This approach changed Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and the way I think about creating settings for Another blues. This one starts Cannonball Adderley play solos as soloists. sneaky, ends sneaky, and in the middle, well. smacks you between the eyes. Like Koko, it’s full of solo space, yet uses the “Fee Fi Fo Fum,” Wayne Shorter, Speak ensemble masterfully. 3-part counterpoint Jazz Trumpet No Evil, Blue Note 1965 and some brilliant tutti writing are featured, as well as some full-band Listening This composition is a great unison. Great variety of textures! example of a primarily diatonic melody Submitted by Kyle Engelhardt harmonized with chromatic chords. The Jazz Piano www.cfhsband.org unusual ABA form features a release section reminiscent of the blues, but Recommendations Here are my suggested recordings in no starting on the IV chord, a device Wayne particular order: used a lot during this period. Lots of fun Submitted by Steve Shanley to play on, too, once you can hang with [email protected] 1. Miles Davis, "Freddie Freeloader," the harmony. from the album Kind of Blue - great solo One of the most challenging line, easy to transcribe, excellent jumping “The Maids of Cadiz,” Leo Delibes, aspects of jazz education is getting young off point for improvisation to begin arranged by Gil Evans, Miles Ahead, students excited about listening to jazz. I happening with students (of any Columbia 1957 (Miles Davis) have had success using the following four instrument, really). tracks to get beginning jazz pianists One of the famous excited about listening to more jazz 2. Wynton Marsalis, "Never Let Me Go," collaborations between Miles and Gil, the (album title in parenthesis): from the album Standard Time Vol. 3. colors in this piece are stunning. Except When I think of a beautiful trumpet for a few brief moments, this is a ballad "Birdland," by Weather Report (Heavy sound, or I want to demonstrate how throughout. My favorite moments are the Weather) beautiful a ballad can be to a student, I brief bits of romantic French horn always play this example. leading the ensemble. "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," Vince Guaraldi (Greatest Hits) 3. Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan (bari “Koko,” Duke Ellington, The Blanton- sax) on "Line for Lyons," from the album Webster Years, Bluebird 1940 "Watermelon Man," by Herbie Hancock Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker - Carnegie Hall (Takin' Off or Best of) Concert. I love this tune because of the Not to be confused with the counterpoint of the melody, and how all Charlie Parker contrafact on Cherokee, "Song for My Father," by Horace Silver of the lines are interwoven between the this blues is full of great writing. The (Song For My Father) soloists, plus it's a live track. introduction and ending vary from the blues form (and the feel—both are even For the inexperienced jazz 4. Clifford Brown - (anything, really) - but eighths), but otherwise everything in the musician, there are many new concepts if you force me to pick, I'll go to chart is based on that most ubiquitous to consider when listening to jazz: "Cherokee" from the album Study in progression in jazz. Each instrument is especially harmonic language, swing Brown. I think it's another great teaching used only when it can contribute to the style, and improvisation. With the example for students of how someone overall picture—typical Ellington. A exception of the middle section of can bebop in the changes (almost all of masterpiece. "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," the above the solo is straight out of the changes are all in the straight 8th style, which I diatonically), and play with great time at “Boom Boom,” Bob Brookmeyer, have found to be the style most young an unbelievably quick tempo. Celebration Suite, Challenge 1999 players can understand the quickest. These tracks feature a nice variety of 5. Dave Douglas, "Be Still My Soul" from This piece makes me smile straight 8th styles, excellent rhythm the album Be Still. This album is a fresh from the beginning to its end nine and a section and horn playing, and solos that take (released in 2012) on eight classic half minutes later. I first discovered Bob’s are somewhat easy to appreciate on the hymns, and is dedicated to the passing of music as a student at Iowa in the 80’s, first hearing. Usually a student will like his mother after a three-year struggle having the opportunity to play many of one of these recordings quite a bit, which with cancer. The tracks are all poignant the pieces from the Mel Lewis record, Bob will help you give them direction for and heartfelt, and highly recommended. Brookmeyer, Composer/Arranger, which I further listening ideas. If you have a found as a cutout for 99 cents!!! I thought pianist ready to transcribe for the first I was the luckiest kid in town.