CANADA: The Technique and Theory of Improvisation - by Bill McBirnie - NOW AVAILABLE!

My new book, The Technique and Theory of Improvisation, has finally been published.
It is now available in paperback format at all Amazon websites including the following:

- Amazon.com (USA) 

- Amazon.ca (Canada)

Sir James Galway was kind enough to write the Foreward, and as something of a teaser, here is an extract:

"When I first heard Bill play some 15 years ago, I was truly impressed with his work, because I recognized I was listening to flute playing on another level altogether. At that time, I thought Bill should write a book. Well, he has finally fulfilled my wish. Not only that, but I think he has written a book up there with the greatest flute players of all time."


This book is a concise but comprehensive guide to (1) the technique (articulation, vibrato, and breathing) and (2) the theory (rhythm, melody and harmony) that are essential in learning to improvise. The book also addresses how to integrate the technique with the theory using a simple melodic approach, based on small bits that you can develop into bigger bits. In addition, the book examines practical issues such as analyzing tunes, using an idiomatic approach, and transcribing, with plenty of examples and illustrations. As Sir James Galway points out in the foreword, this is a useful and valuable source of reference for the aspiring student and the experienced performer or teacher.

Website:  http://www.extremeflute.com
CDs & MP3s:  https://store.cdbaby.com/all/extremeflute

JAZZ BOOKS: From Baroque to Bop and Beyond | THE ART MUSIC LOUNGE

From Baroque to Bop and Beyond: An extended and detailed history of the intersection of classical music and jazz By Lynn René Bayley

From Baroque to Bop and Beyond | THE ART MUSIC LOUNGE From Baroque to Bop and Beyond: An extended and detailed history of the intersection of classical music and jazz By Lynn René Bayley Quite possibly the best book you will ever read on the cross-influence of classical music and various forms of jazz from the ragtime era to the present. Lynn Bayley leave no stone… artmusiclounge.wordpress.com Quite possibly the best book you will ever read on the cross-influence of classical music and various forms of jazz from the ragtime era to the present. Lynn Bayley leave no stone unturned in her pursuit of the best and most interesting cross-influences of each era. Here are some professional testimonials: “What an epic tome! Very detailed and precise!”—Miles Osland, Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Saxophone at the University of Kentucky “Hats off! to Lynn René Bayley for her history/study of the combining, conflicting, enhancing relations between the music called Classical and the music called Jazz. Eminently informative, interesting, and enjoyable reading.”—Alonzo Levister, composer ofManhattan Monodrama, Slow Dance, Blues on the Subway and The Happy Hypocrite “I think the book is great! You should be very proud of it.”—Byron Olsen, composer ofSketches of Miles and Sketches of Coltrane “I can’t get enough of your book! Most of the chapters have so much interesting information, are so well written, and are coupled with such astute observations and interesting opinions that I want to read them more than once!”—Charles Ruggiero, classical-jazz composer, Professor of Composition and Music at the Michigan State University College of Music “There is so much here that I don’t know but that I should know, and want to know more about.”—David Balakrishnan, violinist-composer, founder of the Turtle Island String Quartet “There are things in the book that I can relate to, both artistically and historically, it’s an interesting read!  As I am a big fan of Ragtime, New Orleans jazz, Mingus, Monk, Latin jazz, Cuban jazz etc. but I am ALSO a fan of dissonant modern classical music at the same time and I am AS WELL indeed very crazy about flamenco and world & folk music.”—Sophie Dunér, jazz composer and singer “As for your glorious book, I am still reading segments – they are dense with fascinating information – I’m amazed at your scope of research, intriguing details and enjoy your occasional wry comments!”—Bunny Beck, jazz pianist and composer “It is an encyclopedic labor of love. You have a unique perspective on this material based on your wide listening experience, and you are quite outspoken in your opinions.”—Bruce Wolosoff, jazz-classical composer and pianist 01 – Chapter List 02 – Preface 03 – I. Why Search for Consensus 04 – II. The First Wave _1916-1925 05 – III. The Second Wave _1926-1935 06 – IV. Liberal-Communist War on Jazz 07 – V. Swing-Good Bad and Commercial _1935-1944_ 08 – VI. Meanwhile Back at the Ranch 09 – VII. The Emergence of Bop _1945-1953_ 10 – VIII. Jazz Concertos, Cool Jazz, Modern _1954-1962 11 – IX. Surviving Free Jazz _1962-1974_ 12 – X. George Russell 13 – XI. Charles Mingus 14 – XII. Fighting Against Fusion _1974-1990_ 15 – XIII. Revivals and Recreations – Sociology of Ja… 16 – XIV. Hanging in There _1990-2005_ 17 – XV. Nikolai Kapustin 18 – XVI. Moving On _2005-2015 19 – XVII. Daniel Schnyder 20 – XVIII. Conclusions and Observations 21 – Index 22 – The Recordings

JAZZ BOOKS: The Influence of Claude Debussy's and Maurice Ravel's Music on Jazz, as Seen in the Compositions of Bix Beiderbecke, Bill Evans and Miles Davis, by Ed Byrne.

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The Influence of Claude Debussy's and Maurice Ravel's Music on Jazz, as Seen in the Compositions of Bix Beiderbecke, Bill Evans and Miles Davis, by Ed Byrne. $49.95 eBook

The Impressionist musical influence on jazz musicians has long been noted. This book, originally written as a doctoral dissertation for the New England Conservatory, offers the first—and only—analytical proof of this connection. Everything in this 90-page scholarly study is documented, including bibliographies, detailed analysis of specific musical examples, and a chapter on modality, tracing such 20th century salient characteristic devices as: quartal harmony, unresolved melodic tensions, pedal points, pitch collections, non-functional chord successions, bitonal and polytonal relationships, and much more.

BOOK: Musicianship: Improvising in Band and Orchestra by David A. Stringham , Christian Bernhard II

Musicianship: Improvising in Band and Orchestra

by David A. Stringham , Christian Bernhard II

Description:

Musicianship: Improvising in Band and Orchestra provides philosophical, theoretical, and practical tools that have been desperately needed for band and orchestra teachers hoping to bring improvisation to their students.

As Maud Hickey states in the Foreword, "Improvisation should be as natural as drawing freely with crayons." Yet improvisation has remained elusive from most band and orchestra programs.

This remarkable book contains practical lesson plans as well as all the necessary background information to help conductors incorporate improvisation into their work, with ensembles of any size or ability level. The lesson plans contain step-by-step instructions, including outlining prerequisites and detailed procedures that are flexible enough to apply to ensembles at a wide range of skill levels.

Topics covered include: improvisation readiness strategies, working with large ensembles, a classroom case study, and teaching in a diverse environment.

This book, edited by David A. Stringham and H. Christian Bernhard, is the latest in a pioneering series with dozens of other contributors. The Musicianship series editor Clint Randles has also produced a companion volume focusing on the equally challenging issue of composition.

This important book will help band and orchestra conductors make improvisation a mainstay of their classrooms—as standards mandate—and will, of course, be of benefit to all students.

Number of Pages: 328

Buy the book here

USA/BOOKS: Book Signing & Performance by Cliff Habian "Jazz Piano Essentials"

​Tickets & Info

Solo Show and Brand New Instruction Book Signing from North Coast Jazz Musician and Author Extraordinaire! ​

​Cliff Habian began piano lessons at the age of nine and was composing music just a few years later with both classical and jazz music being strong influences, he decided early on to integrate the two genres into his own unique style.   A multifarious pianist, Cliff can play in virtually any style and performs comfortably in groups settings as well as solo performances. Eventually, Cliff would become s disciple of the "Third Stream" style.   After attending the Cleveland Institute of Music, as a composition major under the late Donald Erb,  he accepted a position as Director of American Music and Department Head of Keyboard studies at the Cleveland Music School Settlement, where he taught for 13 years.    He has worked with such greats as Joe Lovano, Freddie Cole, Frank Morgan, Jane Ira Bloom and many others in addition to appearing on “Good Morning America”.   Cliff was recently honored to play for the great concert pianist Lang Lang receiving wonderful kudos from the international superstar.   His international reputation began with a recording debut for Milestone/Fantasy Records.   Locally, Cliff regularly has or is performing at Nighttown, Johnny’s on Fulton, Johnny’s Downtown, Club Isabella, Blu Jazz and Taza. Visit Website Watch Video

“This is the jazz piano book many of us wish we had at the start of our pedagogy!” NEW! 186 spiral-bound pages and online audio. by Cliff Habian. Jazz Piano Essentials includes a collection of riffs, patterns, and exercises as well as explanations of stylistic piano idioms such as stride, walking bass, rootless voicings, rhythm changes, blues, swing, bebop and others supported with transcriptions, arrangements, and solos based on standards. It also contains many intros and endings along with standard runs and fills. A unique compendium full of personal tips and secrets of jazz piano collected over a lifetime of study and performance. Classical musicians starting to investigate jazz or intermediate to advanced players wanting to enhance their skill set will find this book to be full of promise and absolutely “essential.”   http://jazzbooks.com/jazz/product/JPE

USA: World Class Drummer Warren Benbow’s New Book ‘A Drummers Story’ Is Here!

Jazz is one of the major forms of musical expression. In the 1970s, jazz was moving away from strict acoustic instruments and was adding electric instruments— turning its style toward rock music. Warren Benbow, who has been playing drums since he was young, details the changes jazz music underwent in his artistic memoir, "A Drummers Story" @ https://store.bookbaby.com/book/A-Drummers-Story1   After attending the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, Warren Benbow started exploring the world of jazz. In his book, he looks back on the influences that emerged since the ’70s. He also recalls his performances and encounters with noteworthy musicians like Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Ornette Coleman, and James “Blood” Ulmer. Aside from music, his memoir also mentions the shifts in racial integration and political dynamics in 1960s and 1970s America.  I’ve been fortunate to have performed or recorded with artists such as Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, LL Cool J, Betty Carter, Michael Urbaniak with Ursula Dudziak, Nancy Wilson, Mavis Staples, Teruo Nakamura and Super Friends, Mary J. Blige, Brian McKnight, James “Blood” Ulmer’s Odyssey Band and many others. I went to the High School of Performing Arts (FAME) and the Mannes College of Music here in NYC. At the same time I also attended the Jazzmobile, here in NY as well, where many of the music instructors were members of Dizzy Gillespie’s big band. Meeting these people is how I began to get jazz gigs and work in New York. While in high school I had a band with my classmates and we were playing the music of the Rascals and Vanilla Fudge. We were loud. At the same time I was playing jazz with singer Betty Carter that was much softer music, with light sticks and brushes. At first it was not easy to make the transition between playing loud with my band or soft with the jazz vocalist, but eventually I found a way.   I started out as a kid drummer, and although I’m not that kid drummer anymore, every time I get behind the kit I still feel like I am. I enjoy performing and I plan to keep on performing. Once a drummer, always a drummer! I work in recording studios here in town, but I enjoy performing live around the world even more, though at times it can be quite hectic. In fact, I just got back from doing a couple of club dates in Europe with James “Blood” Ulmer. One show was in Vienna, and one in Munich. I flew to Vienna, arrived at the hotel in the morning, had an evening sound check and performance, and then did the same deal the day after in Munich. Performances were great, but not much time to sleep. The life of a musician…Ha! I recently wrote a book about my drumming life in the changing music scene in the ’70s and ’80s. It's called,"A Drummers Story". For more info on "A Drummer’s Story, and the best place to order the paperback or Ebook please visit: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/A-Drummers-Story1 You can watch and hear a short video/interview of me here:   And my drum solo in Warsaw, Poland at the Jazz Jamboree:  Book Endorsements: Rob Wallis- Hudson Music - Pres. Drum Guru App - Founder  “A Drummer's Story is a walk through Bed Stuy., and Brooklyn in the 60's and 70's, and on to the High School of Performing Arts in NYC. Through his gigs with Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, Betty Carter, James ‘Blood’ Ulmer and many more, Warren covers the NYC music scene from The Apollo, The Fillmore East and Hendrix's Electric Ladyland Studios with Stevie Wonderand everything in between. Warren has touched on a huge variety of the music from the 70's, 80's and 90's - from the civil rights movement, the assassinations of JFK, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King into John Lennon, the summer of love and Jimi Hendrixplaying the Star Spangled banner at Woodstock. A lover of music from James Brownand Aretha to Sly Stoneand Miles Davis, The Beatlesand Ringo to drummers Tony Williams and John Bonham. Warren covers his life thru the streets and thru the music....” Lenny White- An American jazz fusion drummer icon, best known for being the drummer of Chick Corea and Return Forever. ‪ White has been described as "one of the founding fathers of jazz fusion"... " Warren Benbow's words give you a literary landscape of the most influential musical periods of the style of Jazz in the last century. He's lived in it and continues to live an eventful life". Warren Smith- Jazz, and classical percussionist, and educator. “I was privileged to read Warren Benbow's book. I have known Warren, it seems, for most of his professional career. His narrative is quite interesting, especially to another musician, as well as a fellow percussionist. Seeing similar or shared experiences thru the eyes of another musician is always an interesting adventure. Warren's story is reminiscent of my own early years in New York City. This book chronicles the constant evolution of the music world thru the last few decades. Warren tells of the influence of technology upon the music, as well as the ever-changing styles and developments of the innovators, musicians and composers who most influenced the direction of African-American Music during the 20th and early 21st centuries. His breadth of experiences, and the way he uses them to navigate a successful career, is a must read for young musicians. I am sure that anyone who starts this book will find it hard to put down, from cover to cover. Great job Warren. We need more active musicians to tell this story from the inside...” You can also check out Warren Benbow’s music CD's at: https://warrenbenbow.bandcamp.com/album/warren-benbows-harmolodic-adventure-2 and: https://www.reverbnation.com/warrenbenbowtimecodeproject. For inquiries and booking, send an email to wlbenbow@gmail.com.

USA/BOOK/JAZZ EDUCATION: World-Class Pros Endorse YOU’RE IN THE BAND Cynthia Sayer’s Jazz Play-Along Program

World Class Pros Endorse YOU'RE IN THE BAND Cynthia Sayer's Jazz Play-Along Program

For All Jazz Instruments Student, Hobbyist & Professional Players Jam With Top Pros In The Genre

ORDER - CLICK HERE FREE SAMPLE - CLICK HERE!   BOOK includes MUSIC + INSTRUCTION Tunes popularly played in traditional jazz/hot jazz bands Choice of 2 CDs or Downloads Each tune in 2 speeds: "Gig Tempo" & "Practice Tempo" Playing tips & traditions you should know Lingo & Definitions Lead sheets with lyrics in concert key, Bb, Eb, and bass clef Chord Charts Tune Layouts Also available - downloads only:  All YITB Tracks Minus Trumpet & All YITB Tracks Minus Banjo ($9.99 per set) PLAY-ALONG TUNES 1.  Avalon 2.  Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me 3.  China Boy 4.  Darktown Strutter's Ball 5.  Down By The Riverside 6.  Just  A Closer Walk With Thee 7.  My Gal Sal 8.  Some Of These Days 9.  Take Me Out To The Ball Game 10. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise 11. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans 12. When The Saints Go Marching In 13. Whispering MUSICIANS Cynthia Sayer - banjo, arrangements Bria Skonberg - trumpet Mike Weatherly - string bass Kevin Dorn - drums

USA: Scholar and Drum Legend Bill Bruford Authors New Book, “Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer”

For Immediate Release

Scholar and Drum Legend Bill Bruford Authors New Book, “Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer”

Pre-order in hardback, softback or e-book

Scholar and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bruford, best known for his work with Yes, King Crimson, Genesis and his prolific solo career, has authored a new book, to be Published by the University of Michigan Press on January 28th.  Pre-orders are now being taken.

What’s it about?

The book is an exploration of the creativity involved in the way drummers make things work, make things matter, and make sense of both. It draws on interviews with nine top drummers and Bruford’s own experience to improve understanding in collaborative popular music performance. What do expert drummers do? Why do they do it? Is there anything creative about it? If so, how might that creativity inform their practice and that of others in related artistic spheres? Applying ideas from cultural psychology to findings from original research into the creative behaviors of a specific subset of popular music instrumentalists, Bruford demonstrates the ways in which expert drummers experience creativity in performance and offers fresh insights into in-the-moment interactional processes in music. 

Why buy?

“If you’re an instrumentalist” recommends Bill, “give it to the nearest drummer, so he or she knows what drummers are for. If you’re a drummer give it to the other people in your band, so they know what drummers are for. And get a copy for yourself, so you know what drummers are for!” 

Early praise for ‘Uncharted’

 “… an intelligent, thought-provoking treatise on the notion of creativity in Western popular music. Over the course of a number of interviews and case studies involving expert drummers, Bill Bruford examines how such practitioners approach and understand creativity. In the process, he crafts a relational processual model for understanding creativity and the creative process for real-time interactive performing arts (theatre, dance, music). The result is a fascinating and rewarding read that will surely affect players and listeners alike as they think about the concept of finding ‘creative meaning in making it work and making it matter.’”

—Rob Bowman, Grammy Award Winning Professor of Music

“After forty years of creating professional music, pretty much all of it to his taste (passing rare), Bill Bruford has laid down the torches — and tried to capture their flame in words. Begin by running your eyes down the list of Bill’s collaborators. The expert performers and teachers will attract any reader with more than a passing affection for music. Simply put, it is a lights-out masterpiece of useful insight and passionate, reflective wisdom.”

—Neil Peart, drummer Rush

“The contributions of the wide-ranging active percussionists Bruford surveyed will make this an important primary document for future researchers examining the role of drummers in group improvisation, the recording process, and more.”

—Kevin Holm-Hudson, University of Kentucky

“The book lives up to its expectations. Drawing on his own insider’s knowledge and extensive interviews with an impressive roster of expert drummers about the nature of creativity and what it means to them, Bruford has produced a brilliant ethnography of professional drummers and drumming culture in the rock era.”

—Mark Spicer, Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center

“It is no surprise to find Dr. Bruford so eloquently putting into language that which springs from such a non-linguistic source. Bill’s scholarly insights matched with a career’s-worth of personal experience shed an authoritative light on the creative role of the drummer. In today’s world of computer-generated rhythmic music, how wonderful to tap into this most organic and visceral element in music’s heritage, and deepen our appreciation of this immense creativity, past and present.”

—Tim Garland, saxophonist, composer

“The author cites relevant scholarly work, his roster of drum experts is beyond question (including himself), but most importantly, the insights he synthesizes from his source material are both original and valuable.”

—Shaugn O’Donnell, The City College, CUNY

How to order  

Bill Bruford's “Uncharted: Creativity and the Expert Drummer”:

University of Michigan Press: https://www.press.umich.edu/9562155/uncharted ;

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Uncharted-Creativity-Expert-Drummer-Tracking/dp/0472053787/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512229304&sr=1-1&keywords=uncharted+creativity+and+the+expert+drummer ;

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uncharted-Creativity-Expert-Drummer-Tracking/dp/0472073788/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512229892&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ABill+Bruford%2Cp_n_binding_browse-bin%3A492563011 ;

Eurospan UK: https://www.eurospanbookstore.com/uncharted.html 

Bill Bruford's official website: http://www.billbruford.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billbruford/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Book: Aldo Mazza-Cuban Rhythms for Percussion and Drumset: The Essentials

Product Description

Cuban Rhythms for Percussion and Drumset: The Essentials

By Aldo Mazza

• A clear step by step approach to learning authentic Cuban rhythms .
• Musical notation for each rhythm is included.
• Proven conga technique and conga language exercises included.
• Each rhythm includes a play-along audio track of the percussion section and drumset adaptation as a loop and in song- form.
• For the drumset player, exercises are included to develop the transitional preparatory techniques needed to adapt the traditional Cuban rhythms for drumset performance.
• 75 audio tracks recorded with top Cuban artists are included.
• 30 short video clips are included, demonstrating some basic fundamental and important techniques.
• The book includes many of the best known traditional Cuban rhythms as well as some of the newer styles such as the Songo and new developments in Timba.
• Charts and some full original songs are included which were recorded in Havana by the author and legendary drummer Giraldo Piloto and his 14 piece Timba group, Klimax.
• The book is aimed at all levels, from total beginner to professional.
• The book is designed as a manual for music educators to learn and help teach Cuban rhythms in a logical systematic approach.

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USA/BOOK: 3 of 3,601 Bob Porter Soul Jazz Presentation @ The Detroit Jazz Festival Monday, September 4th 1pm

Bob Porter Soul Jazz Presentation
@ The Detroit Jazz Festival
Monday, September 4th 1pm
www.detroitjazzfest.org

Soul Jazz: Jazz in the Black Community, 1945-1975

Record producer, jazz writer and broadcaster Bob Porter discusses his new book Soul Jazz: Jazz in the Black Community, 1945-1975, which complies a history of jazz in the back community in the period from the end of World War II until the end of the Vietnam War.

Soul Jazz is a history of jazz and its reception in the black community in the period from the end of World War II until the end of the Vietnam War. Previous histories reflect the perspective of an integrated America, yet the United States was a segregated country in 1945. The black audience had a very different take on the music and that is the perception explored in Soul Jazz.
 

Bob Porter is a record producer, writer and broadcaster in the fields of Jazz and Blues.  He has worked for such prominent record labels a Prestige, Savoy and Atlantic.  He has produced more than 175 albums and several hundred reissues.  He has contributed to DownBeat, JazzTimes, Jazz Journal (London) and currently writes a book review column for the Journal of the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors.  He is a two-time Grammy winner, was awarded the Marion McPartland Award for Excellence in Jazz Broadcasting and is a member of the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.  He currently is the host of three separate radio programs on WBGO Newark.

Available In The Following Formats From

Xlibris

E-Book
Softcover
Hardcover

http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/CategoryCenter/MUS!025/Jazz.aspx

Also Available From Amazon.com

XLIBRIS (November 10, 2016) Language: English ISBN-10: 1524547867 ISBN-13: 978-1524547868

Attention Media
For Review Copies and Bob Porter Interview Requests
Contact
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services
Ph: 845-986-1677 / jim@jazzpromoservices.com
www.jazzpromoservices.com