Author Archives: Ellington Study Group

2/25/17 – Hello and Goodbye

Saturday Feb. 25th, 2017 at Vitello’s E-Spot Lounge, Studio City, 10am – noon

 

On Saturday: Geek alert! I want to spend some time talking about what some call “harmonic rhythm”, a way of describing chords or a chord progression movingthrough time and how harmonic movement can define phrases and form. I’ll discuss how you might use the ebb and flow of some jazz harmony to expand the usual contemporary diatonic/modal vocabulary of a lot of today’s film and pop music. It’s all about opening up your inner ear and unlocking emotional and expressive potential of even the simplest phrase…and along the way perhaps leading you to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the jazz harmonic language.

 

Then we’ll move to a detailed discussion of “Hello and Goodbye” by Bob Brookmeyer from “Live at the Vanguard” by Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra.  I’ll have a projected full score and printed musical example handouts. Be square or be there! –Scott

Saturday Feb. 25th, 2017 at Vitello’s E-Spot Lounge, Studio City, 10am – noon

Cover charge: $12 includes continental breakfast
———-
Vitello’s E-Spot Lounge – 4349 Tujunga Ave Studio City, CA 91604
———-

11/11/16 – Thad, Duke, and some College Chords

screen-shot-2016-11-09-at-12-30-25-pmOn Friday we will dive back into large ensemble voicing, first by revisiting “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue” by Duke Ellington. Duke’s work in the mid 1930’s predicted and influenced the “modern” big band arrangers.

screen-shot-2016-11-09-at-12-31-45-pm

Then…it’s Thad, Thad and More Thad (Jones, that is)…this time with an emphasis on jazz theory and harmony. His style fulfillment of the Old Testament Swing Era prophecy. This new sound is rich with thick harmony and intense harmonic movement…and impeccable voicing and balancing technique. We’re going to see lots of “college chords” and some challenging jazz theory – we will refer to examples from “Inside the Score” by Rayburn Wright.
Cover charge: $12 includes continental breakfast
———-
Vitello’s E-Spot Lounge – 4349 Tujunga Ave Studio City, CA 91604
———-

9/23/2016 – More Gil, more Thad

miles-aheadAt the September 23rd meeting we will start off by taking a quick listen to “Maids of Cadiz” by Gil Evans and Miles Davis. We’ll talk about some of the broad strokes: form, pace, and how Gil shapes this evocative and powerful piece. Then we’ll dive back into large ensemble voicing technique, continuing with the antiphonal style of Sammy Nestico, and introducing the chromatic, cross-doubled method of Thad Jones. We’ll refer to Ray Wright’s “Inside the Score” and Don Sebesky’s “The Contemporary Arranger”, and talk about strategies that might make your writing clearer, more transparent, expressive and powerful…and get us away from the screen and onto the score paper, away from the keyboard and back into your “inner” ear. See you then!