“Don’t just play something, sit there”… Jim Hall’s Jazz Koan. Following on from Lennie’s advice re hipness and non-action, thank you to my friend (guitarist) Jason Broadbent for Jim Hall’s counsel “Don’t just play something, sit there”! On further research those close to Jim Hall suggest he actually said “don’t just do something, sit there” but the pointContinue reading ““Don’t just play something, sit there” Jim Hall’s Jazz Koan.”
Category Archives: Practice
American jazz educator Charlie Banacos – quotes and more
I was surfing the website of David Valdez and came across the tributes to and Ph.D about the American jazz educator Charlie Banacos. This man was a very significant figure and worth investigating if like me, you are unaware of his work (see CasaValdez for more information)… Just for starters some of the saying attributed to him: “IfContinue reading “American jazz educator Charlie Banacos – quotes and more”
Sonny Rollins’ letter to Coleman Hawkins
Do read this, a touching letter from Sonny Rollins to Coleman Hawkins in 1962 (from the website www.jazzclef.com). The greatest players possess not only self-discipline and powers of concentration, but generally, great humility.
Check out this link…
This is well worth a look, Musicthoughts.com click here. Plenty of good advice and wisdom.
Shock, horror, Bill Evans records “Nardis” 41 times! (learning tunes properly…)
Shock horror – jazz genius recorded “Nardis” 41 times (as far as we know)… I wonder why? Perhaps he wanted to go deeper. I have heard many famous jazz musicians advocating the necessity to learn a lot of repertoire. Nameless esteemed artist number one recently encouraged students to know at least 100 tunes, while esteemed artist number twoContinue reading “Shock, horror, Bill Evans records “Nardis” 41 times! (learning tunes properly…)”
Simon Purcell 