New to Jazz - Piano

[Junomidge]

Hello. This is an introduction from me. I'm from Western Canada and have been introducing myself to jazz over the last few weeks. I find that I enjoy swing or up-tempo jazz, but can pass on the super slow vocal stuff like Cassandra Wilson, Harvest Moon. (Course I loved the faster version)

I picked up a Yamaha psr500 for jamming at home and will be starting lessons soon. I took 2 years of piano in elementary school, but haven't played in 25 years. I told my piano instructor that my goal is to play jazz piano, and she told me that was a new one for her. Most people want to play classics or broadway tunes. She's willing to teach me the basics. I need to know what kind of music books to pick up, or what artists will be good to study.

So far I have been listening to Mal Waldron (Sextets with J Coltrane), Bud Powell Trio (Paris New York) and Renee Rosnes (For the moment). Thats about the tempo I'm interested in, anything slower and I fall asleep.

Any suggestions for me, toss me an email kajohnsen@yahoo.ca

I'm interested in learning all I can and connecting with other people in similar circumstances.

cheers

[sheila]

Are you sure your teacher is competent to teach you the basics re jazz piano? If not, try to find someone who are.

When I started playing, I listened a lot to Hampton Hawes (still do) because his lines and chords are very clear and distinct, he's got quite a bit of gospel and blues in his soul, and he has a very good feel for rhythm and swinging.

And what's this about tempoes? I guess you'll find that ballads are welcome when you start trying to develope your harmonic vocabulary.

[Junomidge]

Guess I forgot to mention that I am in a small town with no choice in terms of piano instructors. The one I will be seeing normally teaches the royal conservatory levels. This is why I am looking for jazz music books and cd's to listen to on my own. And no, at this point in my life I don't like ballads at all but who's to say what will develop.

I'll look for Hampton Hawes on my next trip out of town.

[tkeables]

You would be doing yourself and your country a disservice if you don't check out fellow Canadian Oscar Peterson, especially his trio recordings with Ray Brown.

[peter rh]

checking out Oscar Peterson is a good idea, but it could also put
you off trying to become a pianist ;)