Count Basie, the Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington - these and more were the American idols of the golden era of the big bands. This is the ultimate guide to American big bands, with over 650 entries spanning the entire history of this uniquely American musical style. It's a comprehensive, chronological investigation of these bands in the United States, canvassing the entire 20th century. Each entry contains the name of the band, its leader, essential personnel, the years it existed, top hits, and a brief description of the band. Whether you use it as a reference tool or simply as an enjoyable read, you will find this book fascinating!

Create arrangements with texture and style with this complete guide to arranging for large horn sections! Now, for the first time, learn the same jazz ensemble arranging techniques taught by renowned Berklee College of Music faculty, and studied by the best and brightest arrangers working today. While the book focuses on classic big band and jazz styles, the core information about horn harmony and arranging can be used for any style, from hip-hop to ska. "Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble" includes all the information you need when creating horn charts, fueling and inspiring you with the charts of esteemed Berklee professors Jeff Friedman, Ted Pease, Scott Free, Greg Hopkins and Bill Scism. The play-along CD includes more than 60 demo tracks and arrangements written in the style of masters such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Gil Evans, and performed by Berklee faculty. Covers: writing and voicing techniques; soli, background and shout choruses; special effects; creating your own style and more.

An invaluable text outlining the "art" of combo playing from master leader, player, and composer, Horace Silver. Includes sections on jazz philosophy, group and solo playing, composing and arranging, the music business, and seven of Horace's combo arrangements.

Born in 1923, Barney Kessel played and recorded for over 40 years with hundreds of jazz greats, including Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Rich, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lester Young. This is the first book to document his unique life in music, from jamming with the big band of Benny Goodman to playing on many of Phil Spector's famed "Wall of Sound" records and producing a hit for Ricky Nelson. The comprehensive discography of hundreds of his jazz recordings will prove to be a valuable source of information for jazz historians for many years to come.

Blaydon on Tyne, England: Ashley Mark Publishing Co. ©2008

Play jazz piano with new facility and expression as Ray Santisi, one of the most revered educators at the Berklee College of Music, reveals the pedagogy at the core of Berklee's jazz piano curriculum. From beginning through advanced levels, "Berklee Jazz Piano" maps the school's curriculum: a unique blend of theory and application that gives you a deep, practical understanding of how to play jazz. Concepts are illustrated by the accompanying practice CD, where you'll hear how one of the great jazz pianists and educators of our time applies these concepts to both jazz standards and original compositions, and how you can do the same.

Boston, MA: Berklee Press ©2009

A valuable resource for learning the basics of jazz from Mike Steinel of the University of North Texas. It covers the basics of jazz, how to build effective solos, a comprehensive practice routine, and a jazz vocabulary of the masters.

How many times have you heard a jazz ensemble that sounds great, except - the chords played by the pianist do not "agree" with the ensemble voicings? This handbook is intended to be a reference guide, allowing the struggling pianist to take a "non-notated" piano part and come up with a sophisticated, accurate rendering of the music in minutes. Almost immediately, your jazz ensemble will sound better, and your aspiring pianist will get a boost in self-esteem. This handbook is also great for composers and arrangers.

One of the most comprehensive and appealing books of its kind! Packed with a wealth of information, examples, and excerpts, the book alone would be an excellent addition to anyone's library. Add in the 79-track CD that lets you hear the printed examples, and this really becomes essential! Covers virtually everything an aspiring arranger needs to know: scoring techniques for all instruments from piccolo to harp, effective arrangement forms and components, concepts of orchestration, how to use synthesizers and other electronic devices, writing for symphonic band and much more. The format is user-friendly and logical, and the strong wire binding makes the book easy to use at the keyboard. Highly recommended!

Why do musicians choose jazz improvisation as an outlet for creativity? Why are we creating this music and who are we creating it for? All you need is a little information! Master jazz educator Jerry Coker has put together this wonderfully structured text summarizing several important topics regarding jazz and jazz improvisation, giving us all that much needed "nudge!"

In honor of its 75th anniversary, DownBeat's editors have compiled the best interviews, insights and photos from the world's top jazz magazine in this 352-page anthology. Features include early legends like Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman; bebop heroes such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis; unique voices like Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Thelonious Monk and Rahsaan Roland Kirk; and electronic pioneers including Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and Joe Zawinul.

Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Books ©2009