by Skip Spratt

Greg Fishman has released the latest installments in his critically acclaimed series on jazz saxophone playing - Jazz Saxophone Etudes Volume 3 and Jazz Phrasing for Beginners. His first two books Jazz Saxophone Etudes Vol. 1 and Jazz Saxophone Duets, both received critical acclaim by teachers and players alike. James Moody, Jerry Coker, Plas Johnson, Mark Colby, Gary Campbell and Bob Sheppard as well as the late Michael Brecker have all shared their praise for Fishman’s books.

The previous released Jazz Saxophone Etudes Volume 2 continued along the same path as his inaugural book.  Greg Fishman’s publications are outstanding gems with comprehensive information from explanation to play-along. Not only is the information there for the taking but also Fishman’s demonstrations on both tenor and alto saxophone are swinging and flawless. His sound and pitch is something any teacher should have absolutely no trouble telling a student to use as a model while playing along at home. Fishman sounds equally adept on both the alto and tenor saxophone voices. The two newest books will find their place among saxophonists who are newer to the word of jazz.

Jazz Saxophone Etudes Volume 3 and Jazz Phrasing for Beginners by Greg Fishman offer the intermediate and beginner students the same quality of etudes as his first three books. Volume 3 feels much like Volume 1 and 2 however the tempos are decidedly and intentionally slower for younger or less advanced students. The addition of some bossa novas offer a pleasant contrast not present in his first two etude books.

In the preface to of his latest book, Fishman writes, “Jazz Phrasing for Beginners is a prequel to my series of intermediate and advanced jazz education books.” They are not “dumbed down” but come out of an entirely different approach. Later he writes, “I decided to take a different approach and write simple, catchy tunes with clear melodic development that stand alone as good pieces of music, period, rather than trying to write a simplified version of one of my more advanced pieces.” He certainly succeeded.

Each of the new jazz etudes is again named after a different street in Chicago – a nice tribute to the place he was born back in 1967. Fishman has been playing professionally since age 14 and earned a Masters in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University. Neither of these accomplishments is lost on the etudes. The ideas presented in this book – and those before it – represent a dedication to the music called Jazz.

The two CDs, one each for alto and tenor, feature Fishman along with Dennis Luxion on piano, Eric Hochberg on bass and Phil Gratteau on drums. The world-class rhythm section swings hard as Fishman demonstrates each etude succinctly and with great precision.

There are many composers, saxophonists, and educators out there who possess these three unique abilities. Often one facet of their musicianship outshines another. Not with Greg Fishman. Fishman shows he is equally adept at composing, performing and teaching the concepts included in these etudes. They are a “MUST HAVE” for any saxophonist, or student of the instrument.

Run, do not walk to get all 5 books by Greg Fishman.

gregfishmanjazzstudios.com

A review by Skip Spratt

Ultra Smooth Jazz Grooves written Andrew D. Gordon and Frank Villafranca offers the smooth jazz sax lovers out there an abundance of material for study and play-along. The attractive book and CD set released by A.D.G. Productions should keep many pop-oriented sax players busy while honing their skills in this specialized style.

“Smooth Jazz” has been a staple and top seller in the jazz world for nearly two decades. Prior to the advent of “Smooth Jazz” there were saxophonists such as David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal and Grover Washington who were feeding the “Adult Contemporary” charts year after year. With a deep understanding of this music, Gordon and Villafranca have done a formidable job of representing this music here in Ultra Smooth Jazz Grooves.

Each track is actually several shorter examples of the improvised and then transcribed solos played by Frank Villafranca. It is interesting to note that whether by design or not, Villafranca plays very much in the same style and manner as colossus saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Although Marienthal is in a class by himself, Villafranca offers a reverent characterization of Eric Marienthal’s well-known and emulated style.

At the conclusion of each of the 20 tracks and examples are some scales and patterns for study. The largely pentatonic and blues based examples serve to break down and explain the melodic content to the reader.

Lastly, and of particular note are the optional extended midi tracks supplied with this publication. I was able to drag and drop the midi files directly into Sibelius, Finale and presumably any other midi-friendly application. With access to the midi files, anyone would be able to create their own play-alongs with their favorite sounds or even in different keys.

Andrew D. Gordon and A.D.G. Productions have done a fine job of compiling this information in and attractive and accessible package. Many a smooth jazz aficionado will appreciate this collection in print and on CD.

You can learn more about Ultra Smooth Jazz Grooves and A.D.G. Productions at http://www.adgproductions.com/

Greg Fishman has released his third installment of his take on jazz saxophone playing. His first two books Jazz Saxophone Etudes Vol. 1 and Jazz Saxophone Duets, both received critical acclaim by teachers and players alike. James Moody, Jerry Coker, Plas Johnson, Mark Colby, Gary Campbell and Bob Sheppard as well as the late Michael Brecker have all lended their praise for Fishman’s books. Can they all be wrong? Absolutely not! Greg Fishman’s books are outstanding gems with comprehensive information from explanation to play-along. Not only is the information there for the taking but also Fishman’s demonstrations on both tenor and alto saxophone are swinging and flawless. His sound and pitch is something any teacher should have absolutely no trouble telling a student to use as a model while playing along at home. Fishman sounds equally adept on both the alto and tenor saxophone voices. I wonder how good he sounds on soprano and baritone? – I would imagine pretty darn good!

Fishman is a native of Chicago who has recently moved to Arizona where he enjoys a prosperous career as both a player and educator. The vocabulary demonstrated in his etudes is pure bebop, tried and true. They feel great in your fingers and sound wonderful to your ears.

Each of the 12 etudes is named after a different street in Chicago – a nice tribute to the place he was born back in 1967. Fishman has been playing professionally since age 14 and earned a Masters in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University. Neither of these accomplishments is lost on the etudes. The ideas presented in this book – and those before it – represent a dedication to the music called Jazz.

The two CDs, one each for alto and tenor, feature Fishman along with Dennis Luxion on piano, Eric Hochberg on bass and Phil Gratteau on drums. The world-class rhythm section swings hard as Fishman demonstrates each etude succinctly and with great precision.

There are many composers, saxophonists, and educators out there who possess these three unique abilities. Often one facet of their musicianship outshines another. Not with Greg Fishman. Fishman shows he is equally adept at composing, performing and teaching the concepts included in these etudes. They are a “MUST HAVE” for any saxophonist, or student of the instrument.

gregfishmanjazzstudios.com

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Jazz Etudes for Saxophone Level 3 by Randy Hunter

(24 Swing & Bop Studies for Tenor and Alto)

Atlanta based saxophonist Randy Hunter has released his book and CD set, Jazz Etudes for Saxophone Level 3. Mr. Hunter recently accepted a position teaching jazz saxophone at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and will begin teaching there in Fall of 2008. This CD features Randy Hunter playing tenor sax along with Guy Fenocchi on guitar, Moffett Morris on bass and Tim Nash on drums.

The 71 page Jazz Etudes for Saxophone Level 3 is available with parts for both alto and tenor on facing pages. The inclusion of both alto and tenor parts within the same book has become more common with new saxophone publications. It is a handy feature I’m glad to see Randy Hunter has included. Having both parts available in the same book is a matter of convenience when teaching with mixed saxophones. All the examples are demonstrated on tenor, however alto music is provided as well.

Each of the 24 etudes is based on a standard set of chord changes. There are actually six referenced standards such as Just Friends and There Will Never Be Another You and Green Dolphin Street. Each of the six set of chord changes features four separate etudes written by Hunter. The etudes are in presented in progressive order.

In addition to the etudes themselves, Randy Hunter offers some helpful insights on jazz theory and articulations. Each level of the four etudes is explained in great detail with suggestions for the student. The explanations are clear and easy to understand, but not “dumbed down” too much for more advanced students.

In my own studio I have found the etudes to be quite useful for sightreading and improvisational play-alongs. Although each etude is demonstrated by Hunter on tenor, I find the rhythm section tracks most useful with students. Each student can learn and interpret the solo with the guidance of their own teacher and/or improvise over the changes.

Kudos to Randy Hunter who has provided the saxophone community with another useful jazz publication.

www.randyhunterjazz.com

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