Reviews - Books, Cds & More!

Voicing a Standard – Dan Higgins Quartet

Purchase from: iTunes | danhiggins.net

The latest offering by saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, Dan Higgins will not disappoint. This West Coast session player is well-known playing on countless recordings, television shows and full-length feature films from the last 20 years. Read more about Dan HERE.

Unlike many of Dan’s most popular recordings which feature a full orchestra or big band, this Cd, Voicing a Standard, suggests a more intimate setting – the jazz quartet. Dan’s alto sound is just – well, perfect. If you look in the dictionary under “alto saxophone sound”, Dan should be standing there, holding his alto. Yes, his sound is that good.

While I am a fan of brighter saxophone sounds, Dan Higgins does not possess a particularly bright sound. By the same token, it is not devoid of edge or projection. It is simply an old Meyer 5M on a gold plated Selmer Mark VI, played by a master of the instrument. We can all learn something about sound production from listening to Mr. Higgins play the alto saxophone.

Enough about his alto sound. Dan Higgins also breaks out the clarinet with a couple choruses on clarinet on the 8th track, Equinox. His clarinet sound is full, woody and not unlike that of Eddie Daniels.

Well, you can tell that I am a fan of Dan Higgins’ sound. There are three other musicians contributing to this ensemble as well as Higgins. Jim Cox plays Fender Rhodes. Michael Valerio is on bass and veteran session player Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. The quartet plays clever and sometimes cute arrangements of ten standard tunes. The ensemble playing is tight (as you would expect from these four) and the solos inspired.

In the end, three of the most dominating recommendations reside on the back cover of the Cd itself. Quincy Jones, John Williams and Sammy Nestico all give Dan kudos on his fine musicianship and wonderful Cd, Voicing a Standard. Why listen to me? You’ve got these three telling you to listen!

Skip
SaxShed.com

Dave Koz – At the Movies

Purchase at: Amazon | iTunes

Every once in a while a Cd comes out with a lot of buzz around it. This happens in pop and rock music all the time but less so among contemporary jazz players. Dave Koz’s new release, At the Movies is no exception. There will be much to talk about with the release of this much different offering from Mr. Koz. Yes, much of Dave Koz’s music could be pigeon holed as “smooth jazz”, but At the Movies offers a refreshing deviation from the well-worn format.

At the Movies is exactly as the name applies. Dave Koz and producer Phil Ramone offer up 12 regular and two bonus tracks on the advance copy I just received. (1/26/07) From Over the Rainbow to Schindler’s List, Koz’s saxophone sound is soulful and melodic as he tells each story on a popular movie theme.

If it weren’t enough to feature Koz’s award winning saxophone playing, Phil Ramone put together a star-studded cast of duets with Koz. Barry Manilow, India Arie, and Vanessa Williams, Johnny Mathis, Anita Baker, Donna Summer and trumpeter Chris Botti all lend balance to Koz’s sweeping saxophone. The “stunning collection features a full orchestra” - something not heard enough behind pop instrumentalists today. The recording also boasts some clever studio tricks that blend the older movie audio with new tracks. Over the Rainbow, admittedly overdone by artists, still sounds fresh here.

Whether a fan of Koz’s playing earlier releases or not, this one is worth checking out. He can be heard in a different light and even different style on soprano sax. As Time Goes By represents Dave Koz playing in an older, somewhat lazy fashion, unlike what I’ve heard from him before.

Just when you think you know a player, they surprise you with a little more depth to their sound, character or knowledge. Dave Koz exhibits a little of each here – enjoy.

Skip
SaxShed.com

Jazz Saxophone Duets
by Greg Fishman

Greg Fishman has done it again! His new book, Jazz Saxophone Duets is a great follow up to his first book, Jazz Etudes for Saxophone. The Book and Three CD Play-Along Set offers 10 duets for alto and/or tenor saxophone. As in the first book, Fishman offers some valuable information in the preface. He covers Idiomatic Conception, the Outlining of Goals as well as the Style and Analysis of the duet writing. The 10 duets are straightforward and straight-ahead. There’s some fun, hard-swinging music to play with a grooving rhythm section behind you. One of the best features of the book is the way it is laid out. In the beginning it is set up for two same saxophones. You can play two altos or two tenors and use the appropriate accompanying CD. Half way through the book, Fishman offers the same duets for alto and tenor combined. He also addresses the issue of range in a clever and refreshing way. The alto andtenor parts both make perfect sense. As he says in the preface, “If you’ve ever tried playing an alto solo transposed for tenor (or vice-versa), youknow that the transposed version o f the solo never seems to “lay right”on the non-native horn.” Kudos to Greg Fishman for supplying the jazz saxophone community withanother winner. This is certain to become a staple in many saxophone studios and on many player’s shelves.

Visit GregFishman.com or purchase at Amazon.

Set the Stage
By Randy Hunter

Randy Hunter has released a new Jazz Combo Series featuring Small Group Instruction. “Set the Stage" combo books provide a comprehensive method for starting a jazz ensemble in a variety of small group settings. Selections in an assortment of jazz styles make this an enjoyable introduction to playing jazz for students of all age.” The series addresses the problem of inadequate instrumentation found inmany school programs. The clever series offers 3 available parts as wellas rhythm section charts and conductor’s score. The first part is written for alto sax and trumpet. The second part is written for alto or tenor and the third part for baritone sax and trombone. Congrats to Randy on this useful set of arrangements suited for bands struggling for a full sound – without full instrumentation.

Please visit RandyHunterJazz.com

Beyond the Horn
By Walt Weiskopf and Ed Rosenberg

Every teacher has had a student who out shadows all others who came before.  Ed Rosenberg was “that student” for me. I had the pleasure to work with Ed for about 5 years as a private saxophone student of mine. He always kept me on my toes and it was a great pleasure to help prepare him for a career in music. Ed went on to Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. There he studied with both Ramon Ricker and Walt Weiskopf. Now Ed and Walt Weiskopf have penned this very comprehensive (and challenging book) entitled Beyond the Horn. The book is filled with strategic exercises and patterns based upon using larger intervals and octave displacement in improvisation. Following the exercises are 20 skillfully written etudes to further demonstrate the concepts. Many of the etudes are based on jazz standards, further connecting the advanced concepts with common jazz literature. This book offers a challenge to any saxophonist looking to further their improvisational abilities. The exercises and etudes also offer ample opportunity to work on agility and facility as well as comprehensive sightreading.

Purchase Beyond the Horn at Amazon.

S.S.

Redi-Reed: Innovative Mouthpiece Cap
by Bob Quaile Sr.

Bob Quaile Sr. of Somerdale, NJ has come out with an innovative twist on an old design - the mouthpiece cap. The new "Redi-Reed" mouthpiece cap is ideal for doublers. It's simple design facilitates the mounted reed always being ready for the next entrance. Inside each cap is a sponge which keeps the reed moist at all times and ready to play each time the instrument is picked up. Although the design is quite simple, many players can't understand why Redi-Reed or something similar wasn't invented sooner. Sometimes the best ideas are the simple ones...

Redi-Reed is expected to retail for $19.95 US Dollars

Redi-Reed will soon be available in most music stores. If your local store doesn't already stock Redi-Reed be sure to ask for it.

All inquiries can be directed to:
Robert Quaile Sr.
10 Haverford Ave.
Somerdale, NJ 08009

This material was reviewed by Skip Spratt

Complete Jazz Styles ETUDE & DUET Books
for Wind Instruments by Randy Hunter

A review by Skip Spratt

Saxophonist Randy Hunter of Woodstock, GA has released a series of books intended to introduce jazz playing and "make music fun for students & teachers."

Several of my intermediate students in my private studio have been sightreading through the material and playing along with the CD during lessons.

The Introductory Etudes in Jazz Comprehension books are well written and easy for younger students of jazz to digest. Volume 1 gets their feet wet playing jazz and volume 2 continues with more difficult material suited for a good middle school or high school player.

The CD is well done with tenor sax and rhythm tracks to follow along. This new collection of books will be a great addition to any jazz teacher's collection of books and CDs.

Randy Hunterjazz.com

Practice Like the Pros
Sue Terry

Sue Terry's new book "Practice Like the Pros" is a great resource for intermediate and particularly advanced saxophonists. The book and two cd set offers an insightful look into the practice routines of several professional saxophonists in the New York area. "Included are exercises and tips relating to tecnique, tone and intonation, musicianship, scales and chords, articulation, ear training, and much more."

The book delivers both written explanations of all the excercises and the cd offers verbal and musical examples by each of the 20 "pros". Both men and women, classical and jazz saxophonists are represented. There is definitely something for everyone in the 40 pages and two cds.

Each exercise or example is presented by artist in alphabetical order, not in progressive order. Some of the examples are rather rudimentary, yet others are quite challanging. Younger players with less experience will need some direction with this reference. Any qualified sax teacher should be able to guide them with the task. The book lists at $16.95 in the US.

The high-gloss cover will likely attract younger players, however it really seems best suited to the more advanced player. A good, self-motivated high school or college student who is looking for a challenge or a new perspective can benefit greatly from the use of this package. Teachers and professionals alike should also find many ideas for their own practice or their students'.

Thanks to Sue Terry for organizing this varied group of professional saxophonists. Their insight is invaluable and the material an inspiration...got to go shed now!....

http://sueterry.net/

This material was reviewed by Skip Spratt

Jazz Saxophone Etudes by Greg Fishman
A review by Skip Spratt

Chicago based saxophonist Greg Fishman has recently released an astounding publication for intermediate to advanced players.

The Book and Two CD Play-Along Set contains 15 well organized pages followed by the 12 wonderfully written and executed etudes. Fishman's sound is intoxicating - full, fat and robust. The rhythm section swings like crazy behind him and ultimately behind YOU on alternate background tracks.

This is among the best jazz saxophone publications I have seen in recent years. Every teacher and student of jazz needs this book in their practice room or studio - get one!

Greg Fishman.com

Greg Fishman Jazz Studios.com

Saxophonist and Flautist Brian J. Kane of Boston, Mass. has premiered a set of new books from Jazz Path. The two books on Jazz Style, Technique and Sight Reading offer the young saxophonist an ample opportunity to discover more about jazz.

Several of my intermediate students in my private studio have been sightreading through the material over the past several weeks.

The books are well written and easy for younger students of jazz to digest. An accompaniment CD would make this helpful set even better.

This new collection of books will be a great addition to any jazz teacher's collection of books and CDs.

JazzPath.com

A review by Skip Spratt

Ron Kerber 'Round in Circles

Ron Kerber has carved out an enviable niche for himself on the Philadelphia music scene over the last 20 years. Many saxophonists might also recognize Ron Kerber as being the co-author and transcriber of "The Best of David Sanborn" for MCA Music Publishing.

Ron also has been a contributing member of the contemporary jazz band "Pieces of a Dream." His arrangement of "How Do We Keep the Music Playing" has received critical acclaim and continues to get regular airplay on smooth jazz radio stations across the country.

'Round in Circles provides a wonderful showcase for Kerber's compositional talents and saxophone skills. Fellow Philadelphians Miceli, Thompson, Ridl and Nero provide a solid - though never rigid - foundation for the ensembles' interplay.

'Round in Circles is one of those recordings which requires several listenings to fully digest. There is much to discover with each new pass. Ron Kerber is a man blessed with many talents. His solos are always melodic, never moving forward without a purpose. It's refreshing whenever you can witness the cream rising to the top.

To know Ron as a friend, colleague and former teacher is an honor. Thanks to him for the wonderful music.

www.dreamboxmedia.com

This material was reviewed by Skip Spratt