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John Scofield Clinic | Interview

September 21, 2014

I’m a big fan of John Scofield.

This blog post is my opportunity to share insights and inspiration from a recent masterclass I checked out of John’s in NYC. Kudos to NYU for presenting this amazing opportunity to learn all about John’s rich musical history and his thoughts on jazz. I give all credit to NYU and David Schroeder for this post and I encourage you to check out the NYU Youtube Page and attend future interview sessions.

John Scofield Clinic: What Did I Learn?

Bigger than facts or quotes I picked up, the things I gained most from this masterclass were my feelings of inspiration and a deeper appreciation of John as a musician and as a human being. To have the opportunity to see one of my all time musical heroes was an incredible opportunity.

Scofield Quotes

Here are two of my favorite quotes from the clinic:

On musicians imitating him

“I’m happy that they (young guitarists) know what I sound like… that means they know that I exist. Therefore I am. I gotta say, I immediately think: why would anybody want to sound like me because I hear the rough edges in my own playing and things i wouldn’t want to do.”

On Jaco Pastorius

“He would come up and say, ‘You know what I’m the best bass player in the world.’ What? You’d think what an ***hole, then he would play and you would say, Oh man I think he’s right. And it wasn’t just chops it was musicality and just playing the instrument in a whole different way.”

The Interview

I edited the audio of the clinic into specific topics for you, check them out below!

20 Jazz Standards Often Called at Jam Sessions

If you enjoyed this blog, check out this post for a list of 20 tunes often called at jam sessions in NYC.

20 Jazz Standards Often Called at Jam Sessions

September 7, 2014

You’re going to a jazz jam session but you aren’t sure what tunes you should know? Me too, so I decided to do some research and came up with this list of 20 jazz standards often called at jam sessions (in NYC).

Why did I choose these Jazz Standards?

I have heard all these tunes called many times at different jam sessions around NYC so they are a good place to start for preparing for your first jam session. Each jam session and each city have different bags of regularly called tunes so I recommend you check out your local scene to best get an idea.

This list of tunes will be a frequently updated, I want to share with you the MOST common tunes called.

What about the other gazillion jazz standards out there?

Good point. There are many, many other jazz standards you need to learn. This list is simply a quick selection of tunes that you NEED to have prepared. I am sure you will discover other songs you need to know very quickly, I have a massive ‘Must-Learn’ list that I am working on and probably will be working on the rest of my life.

How do I learn these tunes?

Here are 3 simple steps to learn any standard:

1. Listen to a vocal version (Youtube is your friend)

Check out a version by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra or Sarah Vaugh. Chet baker is good too, your main goal here is to get a feel for the lyrics and a strong sense of the melody. I would even recommend checking out the original old school broadway version if you can find it. Listen to it 10 times. INGRAIN the tune into your mind and ears. Hum along.

2. Play it

Use your ears and try and play chords along with it. What is the form? What key is most often played in? Try and play the melody.

3. Memorize it

Use a chart to help you if you need it, memorize the melody and chords. Try transposing it to different keys and positions on the neck, you should know it in two different octaves. Source a backing track and jam along or play with a recording by Wes Montgomery.

These tunes are going to be called at a jam: LEARN THEM WELL. Do all you can to get deep inside them musically.

All right let’s get to the list.

20 Jazz Standards Often Called at NYC Jam Sessions

All the things you are
Autumn Leaves
Beatrice
Caravan
Cherokee
East of the Sun
Have you met Miss Jones
I Remember You
If I were a Bell
I Love You
Just in Time
Like Someone in Love
My Romance
My Shining Hour
Stablemates
There is No Greater Love
The Way You Look Tonight
There Will Never Be Another You
What is This Thing Called Love
Any 12 Bar Blues Head

15 Contemporary NYC Jazz Guitarists

September 6, 2014

Looking for an inspiring jazz guitar gig in NYC? Me too. Here are 15 top young contemporary jazz guitarists who perform regularly in NYC.

Why these “Young” NYC Jazz Guitarists?

Why did I chose these guys? Two reasons.

1: Money

It won’t cost you a stupid amount of money to see these jazz guitarists. Many of these artists perform high profile shows at more expensive venues but you can catch most of these amazing musicians for a $10 – $25 cover at venues such as Smalls and The Bar Next Door.

NYC is amazing in this respect, you can pay $20 and see musicians you listen to on records in an intimate setting. I grew up in New Zealand where you will often pay upwards of $30 and sit in a concert room seating a few hundred people. Jazz was born in the club and it is best heard there.

If you live in NYC (or just moved here like me) then lucky you! If you don’t, come visit – you won’t regret it!

2. Chops

Every time I see these jazz guitarists perform I walk away incredibly inspired. They all have a unique voice, mega chops and are nice dudes. On my first NYC visit I had money saved up for lessons but I learned SO much from just checking out gigs (and the odd cheeky recording/ transcription) that I didn’t bother. One of the best thing you can do for your playing is watch musicians better than you do their thing.

Wait, “Young” Guitarists – some of these guys are in there 30’s or 40’s?

Yeah, I know. Fair point! By young I mean they have a unique, contemporary approach to jazz guitar.

All right let’s check them out, click on a name to visit their respective website. If you think I missed any (I am sure I did), feel free to leave a comment below!

[Update 20 September, 2014. I’m not sure how I overlooked the musical prowess of Oz Noy, Wayne Kratz and Mike Stern – all incredible guitarists!]

15 Contemporary NYC Jazz Guitarists

Disclaimer: I know some of these guitarists don’t live in NYC. Also, these are just my personal favorites, what are yours?

20 Jazz Standards Often Called at Jam Sessions

If you enjoyed this blog, check out this post for a list of 20 tunes often called at jam sessions in NYC.

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