Posts Related to: Jazz

Bill Evans has always been my favorite jazz musician. Despite the fact that I play guitar, there has always been something about Bill Evans the man and the artist that fascinates me. His harmonic sense was legendary. His ability to swing – unparalleled. But the depth of this jazz artist and how he thought was, to …

People sometimes ask me to describe what the jazz guitar style is. Jazz is usually (but not always) played on hollow-body electric guitars; it uses a large repertoire of chords and voicings; numerous scales and arpeggios; octaves; improvisation over complex chord progressions; the “swing” feel in rhythm; the Bossa, the Samba, the Jazz Waltz; rubato ballads. These are …

Note from LRG: This is a condensed version of a post that first appeared in AllAboutJazz.com.
Traditionally, the smoke filled jazz club seemed part of the “charm” of the venue. I seriously doubt, however, whether that holds the same allure as it once did. I find the club/restaurant jazz scene to be extremely disruptive to the …

In the mid 1970’s, I formed the Chuck Anderson Trio with Al Stauffer and Ray Deeley. The East Coast jazz group focused primarily on my original writing but also included unique interpretations of jazz classics. We gave concerts and recorded our first critically acclaimed album called “Mirror Within a Mirror.” My reputation as a rising …

It’s obvious to everyone that versatility is an advantage. You’re in line for more work and more variety of work. Certainly, versatility is better than limitation. Versatility also allows you to move in and out of areas if you get tired of one. Generally, this is a good thing.
On the flip side of this, there …

The wonderful thing about playing music is that – as you get older – you often get better. Although playing music is physical, the greatest demands are mental: your patience, endurance, creativity, and emotions are constantly challenged.
At 74, Ramsey Lewis is one of those artists that was not only great way back when, but he keeps getting better. I was …

I am sometimes asked: What exactly is jazz? How do I know if certain music is jazz or not? 
 Jazz is an American born improvisational form of music. Its characteristics are the sophisticated use of chords and chord progressions; more scales and different types of scales compared to Rock, Blues and Country; the influence of modality; and the …

From LRG: This is a condensed version of a post that first appeared in AllAboutJazz.com. Chuck Anderson interviewed Eric Hebert, CEO of Evolvor Media, about marketing music through – what else – the internet! Chuck hired Eric to re-design his website, and to add various social media tools that Chuck had not previously used. Take …

I was recently asked to define the term “comping.” If you listen to or play jazz, you are likely familiar with this term; it is short for accompaniment. So, a guitar or piano player can “comp” any song in any style by providing accompaniment.
In the commonly accepted use of the word “comping,” it is generally understood …

I spend a fair amount of time with my students on modes. Modes are a system of seven scales dating back to the mathematician Pythagoras of ancient Greece. The modes are named Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian and Ionian.
The modal system was in use before our present major and minor key system was invented. …