~ Dig This Samba
Views: 29332 |  |  |  |  | About 10 years ago I downloaded a MIDI file called Dig This Samba. I found out that it was recorded to MIDI by a terrific pianist named Robert Aries, who played with John Scofield. The MIDI file had only piano, bass and vibes - no drums. I emailed Robert ...More about this track and he told me he did it for a drummer who was learning the song, hence the lack of a drum track.
I tried to learn it at the time but struggled and struggled and finally gave up. I recently stumbled across the MIDI file again and decided, I want to learn this song! The degree of difficulty for me is high because first, Robert plays it at about 225 BPM and second, the fantastic melody is not something that flows under my fingers very easily.
I decided to do this song at a more reasonable 170 BPM. I used the original bass backing track from Robert's MIDI file and used a BIAB generated drum track.
One correction in the annotation - the change that reads G-7(b5) to D7(b9) is incorrect. The D7 is really a C7(b9). I have not annotated the solo section. Suffice it to say the solo is constructed primarily of chord tones, using approach notes, and trying to bring the melody into the solo at spots for reinforcement.
I recently found out who wrote the song and some history behind its author so I'm dedicating this to the late, great Manfredo Fest.
Here is a short blurb of info I found about him:
Manfredo Fest - Pianist, bandleader Born: 1936 in Porto Alegre, Brazil
Died: October 8, 1999 in Tampa, Florida
Pioneer in Jazz Samba
Born legally blind, was classically trained, at age 17 plugged into the work of George Shearing and Bill Evans. Along with German-born vibraphonist and chromatic harmonica wizard Hendrik Meurkens, collaborated on Dig This Samba. |
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~ Carmen McRae "Listen here"
Views: 12829 |  |  |  |  | McRae would record pretty steadily up to 1989 and, although her voice was higher in the 1950s and her phrasing would be even more laidback in later years, her general style and approach did not change much through the decades. Championed in the 1950s by R ...More alph Gleason, Carmen McRae was fairly popular throughout her career. Among her most interesting recording projects were participating in Dave Brubeck's the Real Ambassadors with Louis Armstrong, cutting an album of live duets with Betty Carter, being accompanied by Dave Brubeck and George Shearing, and closing her career with brilliant tributes to Thelonious Monk and Sarah Vaughan. Carmen McRae, who refused to quit smoking, was forced to retire in 1991 due to emphysema. |
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~ So What (with annotations)
Views: 69888 |  |  |  |  | This is a jazz piano tutorial of the Miles Davis tune "So What" from Kind of Blue.
Thanks again YouTube for featuring me!
...
Some cool things to do:
1) Over D minor I think mostly D dorian in the left hand. In the right hand however, I think ...More D, Db, and Eb Dorian. Using half step chromatically "out" scales is the easiest way to add and resolve tension. You may also want to try the tritone which is Ab Dorian. You can and should take the LH out too occasionally as well.
2) When the bass player is pedaling the I or V you have ANY option of diatonic scales to play since he is implying no scale with his walking. These include (but are not limited to) D harmonic minor, D mel. minor, D dim, D altered, D major, D lydian, and many more! You can also play with half step chromaticism while doing this!
3) It's easy to want to over play in a modal tune where you know the basic scale very well. A way to break up the monotony of single note lines is block chords. I use 4th voicings in the LH w/ octaves, single notes, clusters, and thirds in the RH. It's a hip and updated way to play the George Shearing style over modern tunes.
4) Cluster Vocings: Practice just dropping letting your hand randomly fall on the piano. Remember, for it to sound best all the notes you "fall" in to should relate to the scale you're improvising with. Clare Fischer used to do this, but he often didn't worry about scale relationships until AFTER the fact.
5) If you don't own "Kind of Blue" go buy it! Now...
Read Mark Levine's section on "So What" chords in his "Jazz Piano Book." He talks extensively about how to alter standard So What chords.
Playing contrunpuntaly with quartal vocings is a great thing. It's used extensively by pianists Hal Galper and Enrico Pieranunzi. If you haven't heard of Enrico check out "Live in Paris." It's one of the most impressive trio albums I've ever heard. Check him out here:
http://www.myspace.com/enricopieranunzi
Thanks to Lot2Learn for helping me with this one. |
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~ Tenderly - jazz piano solo
Views: 63432 |  |  |  |  | Tenderly is a beautiful tune that usually demands thick, lush chords. It's melodic structure and chord voicings give the piece a style and sound that is very much 'of the period' when it was composed in the early 1940's. I tried to inject a little bit o ...More f a modern sound in this performance by editing out many of the lush chords and making them a little bit more open and ambiguous. I also tried to use a more angular approach and more silence in the phrasing to play off the lyrical way this piece is usually interpreted. For me it's a trade off. This approach takes away from some of the beauty of the piece, but also adds something a little bit different. Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson do amazing versions of this tune. George Shearing has a great version on his My Ship albulm as well. |
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~ Amazing Grace, arr. George Shearing for Pipe Organ
Views: 21303 |  |  |  |  | Amazing Grace, arr. by the great jazz musician, George Shearing (b. 1919), for Pipe Organ
Prelude 16 September 2007
The organ is J.W. Steere, Opus 701, built and installed in the Church of the Redeemeer, Morristown, NJ, USA in 1918.
If you lik ...More e what you see and hear, please feel free to share it with your friends.
For anyone interested in what we're doing at Church of the Redeemer, check out our website: www.RedeemerMorristown.org
J. W. Steere & Son Organ Co., Opus 701, 1918
Church of the Redeemer
Morristown, NJ, USA
as it exists 2007:
Three manuals (61 notes) and Pedal (32 notes), six divisions
Austin stop tab Console, 1962
Church Organ Company, Cantilevered Great, 1979
New Century Products, Zimbelstern, 2005
Great Organ I, Unenclosed, Manual II, Cantilevered
8' Principal (61 pipes)
8' Rohr Flöte (61 pipes)
4' Octave (61 pipes)
4' Rohr Flöte (12 pipes)
2' Block Flöte (61 pipes)
Fourniture IV (244 pipes)
8' Trompette (61 pipes)
4' Clarion (12 pipes)
Zimbelstern 9 bells
Great Organ II, Unenclosed, Manual II
16' Bourdon (61 pipes)
8' Open Diapason (61 pipes)
8' Gross Flute (61 pipes)
8' Gemshorn (61 pipes)
4' Octave (61 pipes)
4' Harmonic Flute (61 pipes)
8' Trumpet (61 pipes)
Gt. to Gt. 16'
Gt. Unison Off
Gt. to Gt. 4'
Sw. to Gt. 16'
Sw. to Gt. 8'
Sw. to Gt. 4'
Ch. to Gt. 16'
Ch. to Gt. 8'
Ch. to Gt. 4'
Echo to Gt. 8'
Echo to Gt. 4'
Swell Organ, Expressive, Manual III
16' Bourdon (73 pipes)
8' Diapason (73 pipes)
8' Gedeckt (73 pipes)
8' Salicional (73 pipes)
8' Voix Celeste (61 pipes)
8' Aeoline (73 pipes)
4' Flauto Traverso (Harmonic) (73 pipes)
2' Piccolo (61 pipes)
Mixture III Ranks (12th, 15th, 17th) - (183 pipes)
16' Pousaune (61 pipes)
8' Cornopean (73 pipes)
8' Oboe (73 pipes)
Tremolo
Sw. to Sw. 16'
Sw. Unison Off
Sw. to Sw. 4'
Ch. to Sw. 8'
Choir Organ, Expressive, Manual I
16' Contra Gamba (73 pipes)
8' Diapason (73 pipes)
8' Concert Flute (73 pipes)
8' Flute Celeste (TC) - (61 pipes)
8' Quintadena (73 pipes)
8' Dulciana (73 pipes)
4' Flute d'Amour (73 pipes)
8' Clarinet (73 pipes)
8' Orchestral Oboe (73 pipes)
Tremolo
Celesta 49 bars
Ch. to Ch. 16'
Ch. Unison Off
Ch. to Ch. 4'
Sw. to Ch. 16'
Sw. to Ch. 8'
Sw. to Ch. 4'
Echo to Ch. 8'
Echo to Ch. 4'
Echo Organ, Expressive, Floating
(North Clerestory, 4th bay)
8' Fern Flute (73 pipes)
8' Muted Viole (73 pipes)
8' Viole Celeste (73 pipes)
4' Flute a Cheminee (Harmonic) (73 pipes)
8' Vox Humana (73 pipes)
Tremolo
Chimes (Degan) 20 tubes
Pedal Organ
32' Resultant (32 notes)
16' Diapason (32 pipes)
16' Gamba (Choir) (32 notes)
16' Bourdon (shared with Great) (32 notes)
16' Gedeckt (Swell) (32 notes)
8' Diapason (from Steere Great Processional) (32 pipes)
8' Flute (Great II) (32 notes)
8' Violoncello (Choir) (32 notes)
4' Octave (from Steere Great Processional) (12 pipes)
4' Flute (Great II) (32 notes)
2' Octave (from Steere Great Processional) (12 pipes)
Mixture II (Church Organ Company) (64 pipes)
16' Trombone (shared with Swell) (32 notes)
8' Trompette (Great I) (32 notes)
4' Clarion (Great I) (32 notes)
Gt. to Ped. 8'
Gt. to Ped. 4'
Sw. to Ped. 8'
Sw. to Ped. 4'
Ch. to Ped. 8'
Ch. to Ped. 4'
Echo to Ped. 8'
Pistons:
10 General Pistons and Toe Studs
8 Swell Pistons
8 Great Pistons
8 Choir Pistons
3 Echo Pistons
6 Pedal Toe Studs
Swell to Pedal 8' Reversible Piston
Great to Pedal 8' Reversible Piston and Toe Stud
Choir to Pedal 8' Reversible Piston
Tutti Reversible Piston and Toe Stud
General Cancel Piston
Zimbelstern On/Off Buttons
Balanced Echo, Choir and Swell Pedals
Balanced Crescendo Pedal |
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~ How Deep Is The Ocean? (How High Is The Sky?)
Views: 9693 |  |  |  |  | This is waaay looser playing than my other posts. I give the blame/credit to the Korean restaurant we ate at last night. They made my order twice as hot as I had requested. Additional beer was quaffed to dull the burn. I am a total alcohol lightweight ...More . Anyway, I came home, immediatly sat down and recorded this last night. It's a good thing I didn't drive if this is an indication of how I was operating heavy machinery! I only did one take, because at the time I thought I sounded *Great* I mean why get hung up on hitting the right notes, right? ...This morning, listening in the light of day, I'm not so sure about this recording. I had to laugh at myself a little bit. I'm going to post it because I had so much fun playing last night.
This tune has great changes. I especially like the George Shearing version off of his My Ship album, which is one of the best solo jazz piano albums of all time. Also, I did this without a metronome, which is probably self evident. I hope you like it. |
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~ "Lullaby of Birdland" - George Shearing: Lullaby in Birdland
Views: 29003 |  |  |  |  | Magnificently filmed in 1991 at the beautiful Paul Mason Winery in California, see legendary Jazz pianist George Shearing performing live in this clip from the DVD "George Shearing: Lullaby in Birdland," which is his only full-length concert film.
Geo ...More rge Shearing is among the most popular and respected musicians of all time. His splendid "locked hands" techniques, coupled with a tender touch, have made him one of the few pianists with a recognizable sound. An improviser with a flair for style and melodic elegance, many musicians credit him with "opening up their ears to the beauty of tone."
His artistry is captured forever, as he and bass sensation Neil Swainson caress the ballads of Rodgers and Hart as well as Hoagy Carmichael, swing to the bebop of Charlie Parker, and perform Shearing's original theme song for the famous night club "Lullaby of Birdland;" a song that has become a standard of the Jazz repertoire and ensured the lasting legacy of the piano extraordinaire.
Selections on the DVD include "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Why Did I Choose You?," "Isn't it Romantic?," "Estate," "Donna Lee," "Memphis in June," "Moose the Mooch," and of course, "Lullaby of Birdland."
For more information, to view our entire catalog, or to purchase the film, please go to www.view.com |
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~ Joe Williams - "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart"
Views: 16592 |  |  |  |  | This video showcases the brilliant voice of Joe Williams performing the Duke Ellington song "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart," from the DVD "Joe Williams: A Song is Born."
Whether it's the blues, romantic ballads or contemporary music, Joe Williams has ...More attained fame as a singer's singer. Performing alongside legendary Jazz pianist George Shearing, this is a rare, dream collaboration of two music giants. Since his first hit song, "Every Day," as the singer of the Count Basie Band, his vocal excellence and impeccable taste have resulted in countless accolades and a universal appeal. This extraordinary DVD showcases Williams' individual talent in his first video concert in many years.
For more information, to view our entire catalog, or to purchase the film, please go to www.view.com |
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~ 'Funky Cloud Blues' -David Ives, jazz piano
Views: 13752 |  |  |  |  | Spontaneous jazz piano composition. Emergency navigation encounters extremeties of toxic cloud.My early influences: Oscar Peterson, Keith Emerson, George Shearing, soon followed by Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Han#@!&, Joe Sample. Today I listen to ...More solo piano of Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Dave Brubeck, Lennie Tristano, Cecil Taylor.
My deepest love now lies in the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, and later of Charlie Parker, Stan Getz. John Coltrane supreme? |
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~ Lullaby of Birdland - Ella Fitzgerald 4/25/17- 6/15/96
Views: 161393 |  |  |  |  | Music: George Shearing (1919 - )
Lyrics: George David Weiss (1921 - )
Oh, lullaby of birdland that's what I
Always hear, when you sigh,
Never in my wordland could there be ways to reveal
In a phrase how I feel.
Have you ever heard two turtle dov ...More es
Bill and coo when they love?
That's the kind of magic music we make with our lips
When we kiss
And there's a weepy old willow
He really knows how to cry
That's how I'd cry in my pillow
If you should tell me farewell and goodbye
Lullaby of birdland whisper low
Kiss me sweet, and we'll go
Flying high in birdland, high in the sky up above
All because we're in love
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Have you ever heard two turtle doves
Bill and coo when they love?
That's the kind of magic music we make with our lips
When we kiss
And there's a weepy old willow
He really knows how to cry
That's how I'd cry in my pillow
If you should tell me farewell and goodbye
Lullaby of birdland whisper low
Kiss me sweet, and we'll go
Flying high in birdland, high in the sky up above
All because we're in love |
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~ Jose Feliciano - Money That's What I Want / I'm too Sexy
Views: 36433 |  |  |  |  | A great live perfomance recorded at Jazz Festival in Lugano by the great blind singer and guitarist Jose Feliciano
Cover of Money (That's What I Want) including Buddy Guy, The Beatles, The Kingsmen, The Rolling Stones, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Flying Lizar ...More ds, Shonen Knife, Secret Machines, The Sonics, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Blues Brothers and Motown labelmates The Supremes and The Miracles George Shearing Stevie Wonder Ray Charles blind guy |
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~ Dianne Reeves - "Stormy Weather" from the "Ad Lib Series"
Views: 18116 |  |  |  |  | This is a clip from Arkadia DVD's upcoming Ad Lib series. This clip features Dianne Reeves performing the classic song "Stormy Weather."
The Ad Lib Series is a collection of 46 television episodes showcasing the best in Popular Jazz and Blues. Recorded ...More circa 1980 and 1981, the historic series allowed popular artists to showcase their talents in the Jazz and Blues idiom. As Seen on TV internationally in countries such as Canada, France, England, Germany, and the United States on stations such BET, the series was the first television series ever recorded in Stereo.
The Ad Lib Series features musicians such as Freda Payne, singer of the smash hit "Band of Gold," renown Blues Singer Charles Brown who penned Elvis' hugely popular hit "Merry Christmas Baby," as well as its follow-up "Please Come Home for Christmas," and Marylyn McCoo from the 5th Dimension. The series also includes performances from O.C. Smith, who replaced the legendary Joe Williams in Count Basie's Band and sang the Grammy Award winner for "Best Song," "Little Green Apples," the singer of "That Old Black Magic," Billy Daniels, and the beautiful Damita Jo, whose hit "I'll Save the Last Dance for You," was a moving response to the Drifters' "Save the Last Dance for Me."
Other notable musicians who appear in episodes of this classic series includes legends such as Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Freddie Hubbard, Tania Maria, George Shearing, Martha Reeves, Dorothy Donegan, Willie Bobo, Stanley Turrentine, Mark Murphy, Jimmy Witherspoon, Linda Hopkins, Dianne Reeves, Spanky Wilson, Maxine Weldon, and many, many others.
For more information or to view our entire catalog, please go to www.view.com |
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