News

• Chambers, Drew, Hargrove, Thompson: new titles

  Visitation - Paul Chambers
  March 2 marks the 60th anniversary of Paul Chambers' own recording of his classic bass feature composition, Visitation. Paul was a true "young lion" at age 20 when he recorded this on his first album as a leader (March 2, 1956). In addition to lead sheets, his transcribed bass solo is available from that recording. We also have two different exclusive audio recordings available; each of them have Minus You audio tracks as well. The bassist on both of our recordings is Daryl Johns (who was 13 years old at the time of both recordings). Both are quartet recordings, but very different: the first is a standard quartet (trumpet/piano/bass/drums}; the second quartet is multiple basses (four basses--all performed by Daryl Johns).

  Context - Kenny Drew
  This is a classic Kenny Drew composition, and we're giving you four different performances to explore. Two of the performances include trumpeter Art Farmer videos, so you can now see him play as well as check out his solos in our transcribed solo editions.

  Soppin' The Biscuit - Roy Hargrove
  A great groove head - this one will definitely put a smile on your face and get your head bobbin'. Fun to play. Roy originally recorded it with tenor great Stanley Turrentine.

  Tom-Kattin' - Lucky Thompson
  We're going to get more deeply into "rhythm changes" in the coming months, so this is a good one to get started with. You can also check out Lucky's transcribed tenor sax solo for more rhythm changes ideas.

• Rudy's Place, a radio show playing recordings made by legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder

  If you're a fan of jazzleadsheets.com, you're probably a fan of Rudy Van Gelder, the engineer who recorded most of the early Blue Note and Prestige catalogs, along with many other great albums. Here's something you might like to know about: a radio show dedicated to his work.

  “Rudy’s Place”
  Sundays 10:00pm to 1:00am Eastern Standard Time
  Broadcast over Internet Radio which is heard worldwide. Listeners type WFDU.FM into their browser and click on HD2 "Jazz and What's More." See the end of this article for more ways to hear it.

  Nick Scheuble hosts “Rudy’s Place,” a jazz show dedicated to playing music recorded by the most famous engineer in jazz history, Rudy Van Gelder, whose legendary studio is nearby in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

  Van Gelder’s career has spanned over 6 decades, recording Jazz icons such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Thelonious Monk; for labels such as Blue Note, Prestige, Impulse and others. He is the engineer who recorded Coltrane's “A Love Supreme,” Oliver Nelson's “Blues and the Abstract Truth,” Wayne Shorter's “Speak No Evil,” Wes Montgomery's “Smokin' at the Half Note” and countless other masterpieces. His name on a recording is a bonafide jazz “seal of approval.”

  Your host Nick Scheuble is a professional jazz drummer who has performed with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Turre and Bill Crow. In the fall of 2013, Rudy Van Gelder recorded his daughter Leonieke Scheuble’s album entitled, “Debut.” Nick drummed on half the record and Jimmy Cobb (drummer on Miles Davis’ "Kind of Blue") drummed on the other half.

  The magic of Rudy’s studio--Rudy saying “Those are the steps where John Coltrane sat after he recorded 'A Love Supreme'” and hearing “The Old Girl,” (the organ that Jimmy Smith played on those historic Blue Note sides), along with Rudy’s genius--inspired the concept for this show.

  From his first recordings for Blue Note in 1952, through his most current recordings, be prepared to hear the very best in Jazz through the mastery of Rudy Van Gelder. Tune into “Rudy’s Place” Sundays at 10:00 p.m.

  Please visit Nick’s website at www.nickscheuble.com.
  WFDU(FM) is owned and operated by Fairleigh Dickinson University

  Ways to hear the program:
  -- Listening live: WFDUHD2 Sundays at 10 pm Eastern time US (for this method, you need an HD2 or internet radio--some modern cars have these).

  -- The next way is to type WFDU.FM in your browser (on your computer) and click the HD2 icon. Again, this is done live Sunday's at 10pm Eastern time and can be accessed anywhere in the world.

  -- The last way is the access archives so you can hear the broadcast any time of the day or night. In your browser, type WFDU2.streamrewind.com. Once there, select a "Sunday" and click on "Rudy's Place."

  If anyone wants to tell Rudy how his work has affected your life, send a short email to don@secondfloormusic.com.

• New Hank Mobley and more . . .

  A new one from saxophonist Hank Mobley: UP OVER AND OUT, a 16-measure blues with Mobley's signature swing and groove. Guitarist George Benson and the rhythm section establish an infectious vamp figure that the horn melody further elevates before swinging out the last eight measures of the head. A great energy opener or closer!

  Pianist Elmo Hope's NIETA has an unusual 32-measure form (eight bars of the same chord progression repeated three times under the melody). Elmo sets off the melody with a Latin intro and adds a tutti rhythmical interlude at the end of the melody to set up each soloist. First and second parts are available, plus a Concert Condensed Score for the rhythm section.

  Trombonist Curtis Fuller's ability to write music that sounds (and is) simply fun to play is demonstrated in his SYMPTOMS. Recorded by Curtis and tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, second parts are available for all instruments as well as a Concert Condensed Score for the rhythm section.

  Pianist Milton Sealey, new to jazzleadsheets.com, is represented by his BLACK DIAMOND, a lilting, delightful 3/4 romp recorded first by multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk. An Easy Solo Piano Arrangement by Don Sickler is available, plus lead sheets.

  Now for additions to our Singers' Corner:
  Transformed into a dark, haunting tale, Sealey's Black Diamond became
  THE DRAGONFLY AND THE PEARL with lyric added by vocalist Roberta Gambarini and lyricist Bebe Herring.

  ICE WHITE BLUES, by Judy Niemack and Jeanfrançois Prins, shows one side of breaking up that feels like two: ice and fire. A blues with a bridge, the melody is notated as Judy performed it. Exclusive complete track and minus-you audio available, plus a video of the composers performing it together.

• New titles in February, 2016

  These titles were originally recorded in the month of January, various years.

  DEEP PASSION by Lucky Thompson.
  A classic ballad by one of the masters of ballad writing and playing, on tenor sax. Lucky recorded this one twice, once in a quartet format with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Osie Johnson; and once with the Oscar Pettiford Orchestra. We're providing lead sheets (the same for both recordings) as well as Lucky's Melody and Solo Transcriptions from both recordings. A perfect opportunity to examine in depth the melodic and rhythmic artistry of this great artist and composer. Our own Elijah Shiffer and pianist Isaiah Thompson demonstrate their version on video.

  A LADY'S VANITY by Lucky Thompson.
  Lucky Thompson's exploration of the two sides of a woman, body and soul, in music. Lucky improvised this track over the standard's changes. Take a look at his improvisation; available in B-flat and C.

  Here are three more compositions from pianist David Hazeltine's album, The Classic Trio Volume 2. These obviously all work great in a trio context, but try them featuring front line instruments for a real treat.

  David's FACE TO FACE uptempo trio swinger, lead sheet complete with two shout sections for soloist send offs, which on the recording is where David and master drummer Louis Hayes face off.

  Another one from David, FROM HERE TO THERE: 3/4 swing, melody floating over the momentum, tension-producing chords to resolve. A trip begging to be taken.

  TOO SWEET TO BEAR, also from David Hazeltine. Medium tempo, even eighths, no key center, fascinating to solo over. David's Solo Piano Arrangement is also available so you can get inside all of his voicings.

  

  And out of the past, a very important trumpeter player and composer coming to jazzleadsheets.com for the first time. Howard McGhee's READY FOR LOVE features Howard playing his melody as a set up for the great tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins' solo. If you're not familiar with Howard McGhee, all you need is one look at this picture of Miles Davis looking on as Howard plays to understand Howard's importance. Starting as a master in the swing era, he joined Charlie Parker in the bop world and then continued to grow in the hard bop world and beyond. One of the few artists who transitioned successfully through many jazz styles.

• DEEP PASSION In Depth

  Unlike many of his contemporaries who looked to American Songbook standards for the ballad portion of their repertoire, saxophonist Lucky Thompson wrote several of his own ballads. One of the most beautiful and heartfelt of these is Deep Passion, which we are now making available on jazzleadsheets.com. Lucky recorded this song twice: first with a quartet in January 1956, and then with Oscar Pettiford's 12-piece big band in June of the same year, arranged by Lucky himself. Both versions feature Lucky as a soloist.

  For both of these recordings, we have transcriptions of not only his solos, but also his interpretations of the melody. Lucky was a master interpreter of ballads, both standard and original, so we feel it's important to present his own ballads exactly as he played them. The Melody Transcriptions highlight the rhythmic alterations and fills with which he embellishes the melody; they show both the "in" and "out" heads. The Solo Transcriptions include some substitute chords that Lucky's lines imply, notated below the staff. Both transcriptions show his articulations clearly; note that many passages in these solos lack slurs/phrase markings because each note is lightly tongued.

  With these transcriptions, you can analyze Lucky's melodic and harmonic technique and let it serve as an inspiration for your own interpretation of this song.

  About Lucky Thompson, from Noal Cohen's Jazz History website:

  Thompson has been described as enigmatic, elusive and underrated but there is no disputing his brilliance, originality and importance in the evolution of modern jazz. During his three decades on the international jazz scene, he worked and recorded with just about every giant: Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk to name just a few. He transcended stylistic and geographical barriers playing in a wide variety of settings on the East and West Coasts of the U.S. and for extended periods in Europe.

• The Gigi Gryce Project and more

  

  Introducing The Gigi Gryce Project. We're excited to be releasing the first two tracks from The Gigi Gryce Project, Evening In Casablanca and Satellite. Lead sheets for ten of the Gryce compositions we recorded are already available on jazleadsheets.com, but now we'll be able to add minus you tracks for all twelve of these wonderful compositions. Plus, we're expanding our editions to cover other Gryce recordings of the compositions and adding transcribed solos, giving you the opportunity for further insight into these great compositions and great soloists.

  In 1960, when Gigi started recording again as a leader, his rhythm section was centered around pianist Richard Wyands. The Gigi Gryce Project was also centered around Richard, with Gryce devotee Kenny Washington on drums and bassist Peter Washington rounding out the rhythm section. I elected to change Gigi's basic quintet front line of trumpet/alto sax to alto sax/tenor sax, using two of my favorite musicians, Bobby Porcelli on alto and Ralph Moore on tenor.

  With minus you tracks for every instrument, all musicians can have the experience of being part of the session. Stay tuned: we'll be releasing new titles and minus you tracks every week or so.

  With the recent online and DVD release of "Jaco: The Film" bringing renewed and well deserved attention to the late bassist Jaco Pastorius, we want to introduce pianist Jon Davis's beautiful tribute to the great musician, titled Ballad for Jaco. Jon had the honor of playing and recording with Jaco. Jon writes, "It was a life altering experience in that Jaco's musical inspiration and influence was such a powerful force." To premiere the ballad as a piano/bass duo he chose young bassist Daryl Johns, who was just 15 at the time of the recording and video of the session. Lead sheets and Rudy Van Gelder's exclusive audio of the duo are available.

  Geoffrey Keezer wrote Personal Space the day before the session for "Waiting In The Wings," his first album as a leader, recorded when he was only 17. Some years later, Geoffrey was the pianist accompanist for the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition, where another young musician, 13-year-old bassist Daryl Johns, was one of the semifinalists. I got the two musicians together in 2011 for a duo session at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio. Geoffrey revisited Personal Space with Daryl playing the melody rubato for the first chorus. Piano solos from both versions are available, along with exclusive audio and video of the duo session.

  Vocalist/lyricist/composer Judy Niemack has Something To Say, and we have a lovely video of her singing it in the jazzleadsheets.com studio with guitarist Jeanfrançois Prins. Judy's complete track and a minus you track without vocal are both available in C minor

  TIP: You can find minus you titles by clicking on FEATURES in the top menu bar of every page and scrolling down to Minus You, then choosing For Instrumentalists or For Vocalists. Or type minus you in the search box at the top of every page (instrumental titles only). We'll be adding more in the coming weeks.

  Thanks for keeping the music alive!
  Don Sickler and the jazzleadsheets.com team

• Celebrate Bobby Timmons' 80th Birthday 12/19/2015

  Moanin' is still a favorite with singers: Jazzmeia Horn, last month's winner of the prestigious 2015 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, sang it in the finals. Nate Chinen, New York Times, reported: "Ms. Horn sealed her win with performances of the jazz standards Moanin' and Detour Ahead." Congratulations to Jazzmeia Horn!

  Check out all our Bobby Timmons music.

• New arrangements for your holiday gigs!

  Happy Holidays from jazzleadsheets.com! Try our holiday arrangements: a beautiful new melody (Almost Christmas from Eddie Higgins and Roger Schore) plus jazzy recorded Don Sickler interpretations of well-known Holiday titles. Ready for you to play no matter what your instrumentation is. Check our New Arrivals list.

• jazzleadsheets.com's new Holiday Classic "Almost Christmas"

  Lena Seikaly (2015 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition semifinalist) is the voice behind jazzleadsheet.com's newest holiday video "Almost Christmas." With a beautiful voice singing a melody as timeless as any of your favorite holiday classics, this is the song you'll want to add to your repertoire!

  Eddie Higgins composed the instrumental version of this song, Moonlight On Kinkakuji, named after a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. It was recorded on Eddie's last album, "Portraits Of Love," in 2008. When lyricist Roger Schore, a longtime friend of Eddie's and of his wife Meredith d'Ambrosio, heard this recording, he was inspired to write a Christmas-themed lyric. "Upon hearing that piece of music, I had the impulse to try and write a lyric for it. For whatever reason, the music and arrangement summoned up images of winter, snow and Christmas." He finished his lyric just in time for Lena to visit the jazzleadsheets.com studio and team up with pianist Cecilia Coleman and 18-year-old bassist Kanoa Mendenhall to record this memorable holiday song.

  This is the latest video from jazzleadsheets.com, a website geared to inspire, educate and supply a new generation of jazz artists with historical as well as current, innovative music. With a captivating performance by rising talents, Almost Christmas is sure to be a new Christmas standard! Especially if you add it to your Christmas repertoire! Of course, Eddie's composition is great for instrumentalists, too.

  Stay in touch; we plan to add more holiday titles in the next few days. Enhance your December gigs with new arrangements!

• New music: Jon Davis, Piano Corner, exclusive recordings & more!

  Welcome, Jon Davis!

  Join us in welcoming pianist & composer Jon Davis to the jazzleadsheets.com family! Jon is a New York-based pianist with a robust harmonic vocabulary. To introduce you to his compositional style, we've added Too Good For Words, a laid back uptempo swing and a harmonic workout. Get inside Jon's harmony with a solo piano arrangement pack (four versions included) and a piano comping voicings pack (four versions included) -- yes, four of each!

  New Arrivals in October

  Winsome and lyrical, Melba's Tune is a ballad by trombonist/arranger Melba Liston. Its tuneful melody has the makings of a classic. And speaking of classic, we're honoring Thelonious Monk's birthday (October 10th) with Roland Alexander's tribute, Monk's Moments. Roland uses Monk-like elements (an angular melody and irregular form) but gives this medium swing his own flair. Monk's Moments has never been recorded before this jazzleadsheets.com project with his son, drummer Taru Alexander. It's a fitting tribute to both Roland Alexander and Thelonious Monk -- two great artists.

  For something sweet and charming, try Tears In Her Heart, a slow lyrical waltz by David Hazeltine. The melody is harmonically simple, which makes this a great piece for newcomers to jazz. The tuneful line offers more experienced players an opportunity to show their phrasing skills. Rounding out our new additions is a classic hard bop swinger, Kenny Drew's Weirdo. Despite the name, Weirdo is straightforward and satisfying -- not the slightest big weird! Learn more about Kenny Drew's virtuosic piano style with our transcription of his interpretation of the melody (Piano Melody Transcription) and his piano solo.

  Feature Of The Week: Spotlight on the piano

  This week's new additions bring many different offerings for pianists. We hope they'll make valuable resources for your practicing.
  Solo piano arrangements flesh out the lead sheets into full arrangements for one. Piano melody transcriptions explore exactly how a pianist performs the melody; we notate rhythmic and melodic changes and articulation so you can get the phrasing down perfectly. Piano solo transcriptions are full transcriptions of a pianist's solo with articulation included. And piano comping voicings show sample voicings, or voicings based on what a particular pianist has performed, to help you work on your accompaniment.

  Enjoy the music!

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