Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library

Reader, This Friday - Geoffrey Keezer joins us for a conversation about playing solo jazz piano. We'll talk about how to move from static voicing formulas and rote rhythms to play with more creative musical freedom. Lush Life Geoffrey Keezer with Gillian Margot Playing jazz piano solo has always been my true ambition. Now, I love playing with other people, but there's something to to be said about just being able to sit and play, when and where you want to. (Plus there are more gigs, and you...

Reader, This is Part 2 of a series on Bill Evans inner voice movements. In part 1 we learned a movement on minor chords. This week, I want to show you a super simple move for a major chord. Don't let the simplicity of this turn you off of it. It's a crucial sound worth practicing in every key. Bill Evans Blue in GreenPortrait in Jazz Here's a simple movement for a major 7 chord. On our minor chords, we discussed ways to introduce tension into a chord, by starting with one of the notes "out of...

Reader, We had a great session on accompanying vocalists with John Proulx this afternoon. Here are some of my takeaways: Start by underplaying, and let the singer ask for more. John played with Natalie Cole for five years. His instinct was always to leave space and stay out of the way. Then she told him: “I want to notice you.” She wanted him to push the energy, and have a conversation. Now he looks for ways to make that conversation happen, without overplaying. Read the lyric like a poem...

Reader, Acclaimed jazz pianist John Proulx will be joining us for a free jazz piano Zoom masterclass this Friday. I would love to have you join us. John and I have been teaching alongside each other for a few years, and I really like his approach to accompanying a jazz soloist (or yourself). So, I invited him to come share his approach with us. John Proulx Trio Live at Pasadena City College, November 14th, 2024 John and I will discuss: How to supporting the soloist, without stepping on them....

Reader, One of the things I love most about Bill Evans is the way he moves the inner voices to create tension and release on any chord. You can hear it really clearly on this recording of "When I Fall In Love" from Solo Sessions. For the next few weeks, I want to show you a few Bill Evans' inspired movements so you can try them over the voicings in the 7-Step Jazz Piano Voicings Roadmap. Bill Evans When I Fall In LoveSolo Sessions Vol. 1 Here's a simple movement for a minor 7 chord. The...

Reader, When we play the melody in a ballad, like Misty, we want to be somewhat free with the time. Even though we're playing it on our instrument, I want you to imagine how you would sing it. You might push and pull the rhythm a bit? Or, lay back behind the beat a bit? As we've been learning to play Misty in our Friday Zoom workshops the last few weeks, I've observed some critical mistakes in phrasing that we need address right away. Start by listening to this recording of Misty by Samara...

Reader, A couple of weeks ago, one of our members posted in our community out of frustration. Last year in our workshops they learned how to play Body and Soul. They practiced it for weeks, and really played it well. But now, after some time, the song has basically vanished. This isn't the first time I've heard this frustration from my students. So I finally hosted a live workshop on just this topic. The replay is available to watch for free below. It's about an hour. Watch it at your...