June 2010

June 2010 Newsletter: The Auspicious Debut of the Jazz Education Network Conference

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Hello again from ejazzlines!

The Jazz Education Network's inaugural conference has now passed into history, and ejazzlines was a proud exhibitor in St. Louis. We can happily report that the conference was a huge success in all ways. The setting was the very friendly and hospitable campus of the University of Missouri at St. Louis.

The demise of IAJE left a huge void in the jazz world, especially with the lack of one major annual conference for us all to gather at. The feeling seemed to be unanimous that JEN has done a remarkable job in filling this void with a new organization and a new conference which once again gives us all the opportunity to come together - from exhibitors like us, to the legends of education like Jamey Aebersold and David Baker, to the plethora of magnificent performances that were offered. This was indeed a magnificent 'Jazz Hang' which was enjoyed by all.

It was a pleasure to speak with the many musicians, clinicians, professors, teachers, students, and jazz fans that stopped by and visited our booth. It is always great to have the chance to meet new people and renew old friendships, and events like this are invaluable in cementing the bonds of the geographically diverse population which constitutes the backbone of the jazz world today. When the conference was over each day, we had the chance to take in magnificent performances from world-class musician/educators playing together in various combinations. Many of these people generously donated their time to be in St. Louis, and gave lectures or clinics as well.

Perhaps coolest of all, at the main conference hotel, the St. Louis Airport Hilton, the atmosphere was one of a hotel having been commandeered by the jazz world. From the JEN badges on the employees to the non-stop scene at the lobby bar, jazz had taken over the building. The hotel was welcoming, and one of the serious highlights of each day was the late-night jam session in the hotel lobby bar area. On Friday night, in a packed hotel lobby, we were treated to a jam session from the impromptu all-star band of Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, Shelly Berg, Tom 'Bones' Malone, Lou Fischer, and Ndugu Chancler.

The 2011 conference is taking shape, and will be in New Orleans from Jan 6-8. It is hard to imagine a better locale for an event like this, and for most of us, a trip to a spot like New Orleans in the dead of winter only makes it more enticing. One can imagine the opportunities for broadening one's jazz horizons - from both historic and current performance perspectives - that next year's event will afford attendees. Please visit the Jazz Education Network at www.jazzednet.org for regular updates on next year's extravaganza.

We once again thank everyone for your support - it is sincerely appreciated every day of the year.

Rob and Doug at ejazzlines

FEATURED NEW DVDs: In addition to the items featured below, June's new DVDs also include a concert from Paquito D'Rivera with the WDR Big Band, several new instructional DVDs, and discs featuring Billie Holiday, Buddy Miles, Mika Yoshida, Nikki Yanofsky, and others. ALL JUNE 2010 DVDs ALL MAY 2010 DVDs
ICONS AMONG US: JAZZ IN THE PRESENT TENSE Jazz is undergoing changes of monumental magnitude and importance. Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense is a documentary film that captures the metamorphosis of jazz by showcasing the words, music, and spirit of the artists that are paving the way for an unprecedented musical revolution. Through interviews and live performance footage, we explore the thoughts and lives of the musicians spearheading today's jazz front lines.	JOHN ABERCROMBIE: SOLOS - THE JAZZ SESSIONS Guitarist John Abercrombie combines bop and free jazz stylistic elements with electronics utilizing phase shifters, guitar synthesizers and the good old volume pedal. What has kept his playing fresh is his refusal to be chained to these digital devices. As he told Down Beat writer Bill Milkowski, "I try to adjust my playing to the timbre and learn something about how to play that sound, yet at the same time I have to try and force the instrument to play with me a little bit. In other words, I sometimes try to overplay the instrument."
GREG OSBY: SOLOS - THE JAZZ SESSIONS Saxophonist, composer, producer and educator Greg Osby has made an indelible mark on contemporary jazz as a leader of his own ensembles and as a guest artist with other acclaimed jazz groups for the past 20 years. Highly regarded for his insightful and innovative approach to composition and performance, Osby has earned numerous awards and critical acclaim. In this special set of solo performances Osby explores a range of emotional and musical states, always seeking to tie his ideas together; his long alto-lines linger in the air as he weaves new ideas beneath and over-top.	JAMES BLOOD ULMER: SOLOS - THE JAZZ SESSIONS James 'Blood' Ulmer is one of the few guitarists to have forged a style based largely on the traditions of African-American vernacular music. Ulmer is an adherent of saxophonist/composer Ornette Coleman's vaguely defined Harmelodic theory and plays with a stuttering, vocalic attack; his jagged lines speak with the authority of a free jazz improvisor and the accent of a soul-jazz tenor saxophonist. His solo guitar work is an expressive, hard-edged, loudly amplified hybrid. But Ulmer isn't limited in his musical scope. in these sessions he reveals himself to be an instant inventor of repute on the flute and a memorable songwriter and blues singer with the now classic 'Are You Glad to be in America.'
ALL THAT JAZZ: FROM NEW ORLEANS TO NEW YORK An anthology of jazz profiling the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Ma Rainey, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, The Dorsey Brothers, Django Reinhardt and countless other artists from the era. All That Jazz, From New Orleans to New York is an anthology of jazz music which prior to the popular swing era of the 1930s and '40s is often referred to as 'early jazz.' Through its origins before the turn of the 20th century, jazz had evolved from a regional music, central to New Orleans and its surroundings, to a musical style at the forefront of national and international popular music by the 1930s and 1940s.	TONY BENNETT: THE MUSIC NEVER ENDS Hollywood music consultant Bruce Ricker teams with filmmaking legend Clint Eastwood to take an intimate look at the life and career of beloved crooner Tony Bennett. Utilizing Eastwood's interviews with the octogenarian vocalist and rare performance footage as a sturdy foundation, Ricker's documentary lovingly illustrates how Bennett has influenced American music and culture for over more than sixty years.

FEATURED NEW BOOKS: June's latest include a wide variety of offerings, with new books ranging from the works of Astor Piazzolla to the Beatles to Duane Allman to Ray Charles to the Rev. Gary Davis to the Scott Joplin books featured below. We also have the usual selection of new instructional books and guides as well. We suggest another look at May's bounty, which included Greg Fishman's two new volumes of Jazz Saxophone Duets, Hal Leonard's Thelonious Monk Play-Along and Bill Charlap Collection, Jamey Aebersold's Ron Carter Bass Solos Book 2, and Advance's How to Play Drums in a Big Band. ALL JUNE 2010 BOOKS ALL MAY 2010 BOOKS
MODERN IMPROVISATION "Lupa Santiago is one of the most notable guitarists in Brazilian instrumental music today. (His book is) A wonderful opportunity for professional musicians and students of various levels to delve more deeply into their studies. It is a fundamental tool for the development of technique and creativity." (Rodrigo Morte, Composer and Arranger)	RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN SOLOS FOR KIDS 14 classic songs for voice and piano with a CD of performances by kids and accompaniments. Based on songs from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Great classic songs selected for children singers. CD features performances by professional Broadway kids and piano accompaniments.
TOP 50 JAZZ STANDARDS Another wonderful offering from Dan Coates, this new volume from Alfred puts fifty timeless and often-requested standards at your fingertips! For easy piano.	ASTOR PIAZZOLLA - EL VIAJE Tangos and other characteristic pieces from the Argentinian master of tango nuevo. Piano accompaniments are available to print from the CD. Editions available for several different instruments.
RHYTHM READING FOR DRUMS - BOOK 1 Rhythm Reading for Drums provides a highly organized, systematic approach to reading and understanding rhythm for the beginning drummer/percussionist. Basic rhythm patterns including counting system and foot tapping indications are introduced on each page in eight-measure studies followed by a short solo. Each solo serves as a page summary and a motivational tool for students. Music educators and private instructors will find this method to be a comprehensive approach to rhythm reading and musical drumming. An excellent method for class instruction, private lessons or as a supplement to any band method.	DAILY GUITAR WARM-UPS A good warm-up session can be the most crucial part of your practice session. Not only does it limber and stretch your finger muscles, it helps to ward off injuries, gets your hands in sync, and promotes accuracy and speed. This book contains a wide variety of exercises to help get your hands in top playing shape. It addresses the basic elements of guitar warm-ups by category: stretches and pre-playing coordination exercises, picking exercises, right and left-hand synchronization, and rhythm guitar warm-ups. The Odds & Ends chapter covers other misc. topics such as legato warm-ups, string-bending exercises, scale sequences, and arpeggios. Use this book daily, choosing one or two exercises in each chapter to warm up, and you'll playing will be cleaner, more articulate, and of a higher caliber.

FEATURED NEW BIG BAND ARRANGEMENTS: We're thrilled to announce that, at long last, Benny Carter's arrangements for saxophone ensemble are now available, authorized by the Benny Carter Estate. These compositions and arrangements were originally recorded for Impulse on the albums 'Further Definitions' (1961), and 'Additions to Further Definitions' (1966), and for the Musical Heritage Society on 'Over the Rainbow' (1989). These arrangements are not very difficult to play and they provide a lot of solo space for your players. Most feature 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, guitar, piano, bass, and drums. ALL JUNE 2010 BIG BAND CHARTS ALL MAY 2010 BIG BAND CHARTS
BLUE STAR: BENNY CARTER This arrangement of Blue Star is a lovely ballad featuring a solo section for alto 1. Unlike the other arrangements in this series, this one features 2 altos and 2 tenors with rhythm section. There is no baritone saxophone in this arrangement.	DOOZY: BENNY CARTER Here is Benny Carter's fabulous sax ensemble arrangement first recorded on the 1961 'Further Definitions' album and then re-recorded in 1966 on the 'Additions to Further Definitions' album.
ROCK BOTTOM: BENNY CARTER Here is Benny Carter's fabulous sax ensemble arrangement recorded on the 1966 'Additions to Further Definitions' album.	TITMOUSE: BENNY CARTER This arrangement is from the 1966 recording 'Additions to Further Definitions' and features an open solo section.
NOW'S THE TIME: SUPERSAX This arrangement of 'Now's the Time' was recorded on the 1977 record 'Chasin' the Bird.' We also have a big band version of this arrangement. Med Flory adapted it for his big band, though it was never recorded. See catalog number JLP-8147.	JOOST AT THE ROOST: GERRY MULLIGAN Joost at the Roost was written for both the nonet and the Thornhill big band. Whereas the nonet version is fairly straightforward as a vehicle for solos (although the out-chorus has some similarities with the Thornhill version), the big band version is an ambitious composition that combines Mulligan's continued exploration of contrapuntal ensemble writing and use of time-signature changes as in Jeru. This arrangement was never recorded by the Thornhill band, but the Dutch Jazz Orchestra recorded it on their 2008 CD Moon Dreams: Rediscovered Music of Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan (Challenge).

As of this newsletter we have added 20 new DVDs for June 2010 and 14 for May 2010; 34 new music books for June 2010 and 64 for May 2010; 3 new big band and combo arrangements for the month of June 2010 and 39 for the month of May 2010. The most recent additions have helped our ever-growing DVD selection swell to a massive 2263 titles! Please check it out today-we have jazz, blues, funk, and soul, live and documentary, method and master class, and much more - we are proud to offer a selection of jazz and jazz-related DVDs that is truly second to none. As always, please keep in mind that many of our new releases are available in limited quantities. We do our best to predict demand and fill orders as quickly as possible, but we do run out of new releases. Even if we run out of stock, everything featured in this newsletter should be available to ship within 1 to 2 weeks.