All posts by N. Zarr

Video – Mary Lou Williams – Fabulous Solo Blues Piano – 1980

post, , , , , , , ,

Here is a wonderful video of Mary Lou Williams playing a great solo blues piece in 1980 at the age of 70. Her playing exhibits strongly developed blues melodies coupled with a beautiful stride left hand.

Piano legend Mary Lou Williams (May 8, 1910 – May 28, 1981) was an American Jazz piano player, composer, and arranger. She composed hundreds of pieces and arrangements and recorded more than 100 records. She composed music and did arrangements for the bands of Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. Among her acquaintances were Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and numerous other artists.

Williams was born in Atlanta Georgia. She never took piano lessons, but taught herself how to play. By the age of six, she was already helping to support her family by playing piano at parties. Remarkably, by seven, she has already begun her professional career. By her teens, she was already well known as a performer. At the age of 15, she began playing concerts with Duke Ellington. She impressed everyone around her with her mastery of the keyboard. Famous for her stride piano, Mary Lou Williams’s superb agility on the keyboard brought her great recognition with her peers and fans alike. Her career spanned over 70 years. She recorded with many famous artists, and performed at countless concerts and jazz festivals. Other famous stride piano artists are James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Art Tatum and Willie “The Lion” Smith.

Some Mary Lou Williams Recordings
The Circle Recordings
1944-1945
Solo Recital (Montreux Jazz Festival 1978 – Live)
My Mama Pinned a Rose on Me
Free Spirits
Zoning

more about Mary Lou Williams

Beginner Piano Lessons and Keyboard in Portland OR – Fun For All Ages

post, , , , , , , , , ,

Learning to play piano is a skill you’ll enjoy for many years. People who play piano find it a rewarding and inspiring experience. Piano lessons will motivate and challenge you to learn the skills to understand music in a special way. The best way to learn to play piano or keyboards is with private, individual piano lessons.

My students range in age from 4 years up to over 80. Children and adults get to work on the kinds of music that is perfect for them to play. You can learn to read music, play by ear, improvisation, accompanying voice, theory, and lots more. Learn to play classical, popular, blues, jazz, new age, and folk music. Learning to play piano will give you a chance to express your creativity and individuality. It’s also a great way to feel a strong sense of achievement. My studio is a supportive environment in which to learn to play piano. Students get to learn at a comfortable rate. I use a modern, effective, and personal approach to teaching and make the lessons relaxed and stress-free. Call to find out more about lessons.

Norm Zarr
503-253-8021

more on Piano & Keyboard Lessons in Portland

Video – Abdullah Ibrahim Plays Jazz Piano – Lugano Jazz Festival 1999

post, , , , , , , , ,

This is a wonderful video of Abdullah Ibrahim playing “Cape Town Flower” from the Lugano Jazz Festival, recorded in Lugano, Switzerland in 1999. His trio playing in this recording is superb, and they are one of the very best groups he has performed with. I love listening to Abdullah Ibrahim. He is a superb pianist and composer. His music is so diversified, with major influences from his native Cape Town, South Africa, and more from musicians from all over the world. His playing is a rich composite of elements from Jazz, Blues, and Ethnic African music.

Born in 1932 in Cape Town, South Africa, Abdullah Ibrahim began his musical journey early on. He was eager to take piano lessons at the age of 7. He studied recordings of Jazz music brought over by American sailors. His professional career began in 1949. He later moved to Europe, New York City, and then back to Cape Town for a while.

Much of his music revolves around musical memories from his childhood. Distinct features of African, Gospel, and Blues, are the foundation of his unique Jazz sound. Thelonius Monk and Duke Ellington were strong contributors to the sound he has created.

Learning to play improvisation has much to do with listening to and hearing what other musicians have done. I teach piano in Portland, Oregon. When my piano students express an interest in studying Jazz or Blues Piano, I often suggest Abdullah Ibrahim as someone to study. His music is accessible compared to most mainstream Jazz. Piano students will find it easier to understand. Abdullah Ibrahim has recorded many albums, and has contributed immensely to the world of Jazz piano history.

Some of Abdullah Ibrahim Best Albums
Banyana
Anatomy Of A South African Village
African Sun
African Suite – For Trio And String Orchestra
African Marketplace
African Magic
Africa – Tears And Laughter
African Dawn

more on Abdullah Ibrahim

Video – Boogie Woogie Blues Piano by Silvan Zingg

post, , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s a video of Silvan Zingg and his band playing his composition “Silvan’s Night Train Trip”. Enzo Muci is on Bass and Michel Denis on drums. This is a very typical Boogie Woogie style. Silvan Zingg is a Swiss pianist, specializing in Boogie Woogie, Blues and Jazz. In 2002 he created the International Boogie Woogie festival located in Lugano, Switzerland. Zingg was born in a musical family and was already playing piano before he started school. He has performed all over the world, having given his first concert at the age of 18. He has performed with Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, B.B.King, Michel Petrucciani, and many other artists.

Blues Piano is very popular today. At my piano lessons studio, here in Portland, many of my students love learning to play Blues Piano. Students who have basic reading and playing skills can learn to play Blues on piano or keyboard. We start with the basics of a 12 bar blues, the chord progression and the blues scale. Although there is sheet music of blues songs, our focus is to learn to play blues completely by ear. We do this by listening to blues, working on developing good melodies and rhythmic elements, and trying out different improvisational techniques. I provide all the direction. Students only need to play and have fun. Blues can be played on either an acoustic piano or keyboard. Compared to the time it takes to master classical music, players can start sounding very good playing blues in much less time.

There are many styles of Blues Piano, including Boogie Woogie, Swing, Jazz, R&B, Rock and Roll, New Orleans, Barrelhouse, and Chicago. Most blues is played in a 12 bar pattern, although there are variations using 16 bars and even styles of blues waltz in 3/4 time.

Here are some well known traditional blues artists:

Albert Ammons
Leroy Carr
Ray Charles
James Crutchfield
Charles “Cow Cow” Davenport
Blind John Davis
Fats Domino
Champion Jack Dupree
Cecil Gant
Dr John
Henry Gray

more about Silvan Zingg

norah Jones playing sunrise live in amsterdam

Video – Norah Jones on Piano Playing Sunrise – Live from Amsterdam

post, , , , , , , ,

A great video of Norah Jones and her band playing “Sunrise” live from Amsterdam in 2007. Norah plays piano and sings.

Norah Jones is one of the most celebrated and accomplished artists of the day. Famous for her lovely voice and wonderful piano playing, her recordings have made her and overnight sensation. Billboard magazine named her the top Jazz artist for the 2000-2009 decade.

Jones started her professional singing career in 2002, and immediately she was recognized as an extremely talented singer and performer. She started singing in church and taking piano lessons as a child. Norah Jones sang in the High School choir and joined a band. At the University of North Texas, she studied jazz piano and sang with the UNT Jazz Singers group. She then returned to New York City and started a band with Jesse Harris, whom she had begun collaborating with. Her music has been greatly influenced by Billie Holiday and Bill Evans. Norah Jones also writes songs, plays guitar, and has acted in several movies.

Some of most popular songs are:
The Nearness of You
Don’t Know Why
Don’t Miss You at All
I Think It’s Going to Rain Today
Sinkin’ Soon
Cry Me a River

more about Norah Jones