Me and a couple of my friends are wanting to start a small jazz ensemble. Looking for words of encouragment and advice to help us out in some way. Mainly song choice.
Thanks!
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no offense Damien but some kids who even can do that, will not.
especially since there are already so many books out there.
just like when I first read this topic, I was like.. I COULD say:
a) listen to some jazz
b) study some sort of theory on it
c) play a few old school classics (Giant Steps, Impressions, etc.)
but I mean, that's just words from the mouth..
Jazz should be about yourself, not what others expect.
It's about enjoying yourself.. find stuff you enjoy and just play with it.
eventually you will find a groove you all will like
(include some classic Maynard quotes here)
that is not to diminish what is up there ^^^ because that is going to happen as your jazz studies build up anyways, and will be done if you turn out more serious about it as a career.
btw Damien you go to JSU right? i think I've seen you perform with the ensemble before.. last year at my school.
Damien said:
AnG said:
one I absolutely LOVE is Nils Landgren!!!
he doesn't get hype and he is MUCH more modern.
some Crusaders [with Wayne Henderson] of course that's a little modern too.
old school: J.J. Johnson is the standard for jazz trombones usually, Carl Fontana [great open sound!] which with 5 people is what you will need
it's late [actually early] so I'll stop there for now.
and my bad I saw the songs question and i meant to add into it what kind of stuff you guys are trying to get into or anything that will help focus on a group or style.
i.e. New Orleans Brass Band?? Stage Set Band??
SG862 said:
Ive been in around phenomial jazz musicians/teachers......the two highlighted words are heard/said more than any other. You HAVE to listen to the greats.
TRUST ME....the books are good, but if u dont listen, it dont matter if Duke and Louis come out the grave and teach you personally, you wont play jazz.
You could even look at Funk and Fusion style bands .. Honestly I wanted to be part of something like a funk band... such as The Roots, Groove Theory, The Brand New Heavies, or a brass band that funks it up like Young Bloods Brass band..
LET THE MUISIC BE YOUR MOTIVATION... Just Do It!
The Book said:
my take is this: if you got a small group, then listen to small groups...
jazz messengers...ramsey lewis...nat cole...paul desmond...some of the mingus projects...et al...