Why this tune? Tunes On Tuesday marks Thad Jones’ birthday with his beautiful ballad “Kids Are Pretty People.” He built a reputation as a brilliant trumpet player and soloist with the Count Basie band, then established himself as one of the most important composer and arranger in jazz. “Kids” was one of Jones’ tunes performedContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Kids Are Pretty People”
Tag Archives: solo piano
Tunes on Tuesday: I Hear A Rhapsody
Why this tune? I’m always trying to learn more tunes from the jazz repertoire by heart, so I can play themreliably without having to look at the music. The latest addition to this set is “I Hear ARhapsody,” a 1941 pop song by George Fragos, Jack Baker and Dick Gasparre. “Rhapsody” was a hit forContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: I Hear A Rhapsody”
Tunes on Tuesday: Alfie
Why this tune? I’m still buzzing from this past weekend (Jan. 12-14, 2023), when I had the privilege of playing in the first Jazz At The Castle festival on St. Croix, opening for the superbly talented guitarist Pasquale Grasso. I shared almost an hour of solo piano tunes, including a couple of my original songs.Continue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: Alfie”
Tunes on Tuesday: It Could Happen To You
Why this tune? This week I’m sharing part of my preparation for a solo piano set I’m playing on Jan. 15. I’m opening for the superb guitarist Pasquale Grasso at “Jazz at the Castle” on St. Croix in theUS Virgin Islands. My set will include several standards I’ve played over the years plus acouple ofContinue reading “Tunes on Tuesday: It Could Happen To You”