In the tradition of Django Reinhardt, Biréli Lagrène is one of most highly regarded Gypsy jazz, bebop, and fusion guitarists of recent decades. Once regarded as a child prodigy, he has performed with such legendary players as Benny Goodman, Stéphan Grappelli, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin and countless others. Given that roster, one might assume that Lagrène is quite advanced in years, but this is not the case; the fact is, he was drawn to the guitar as a child of four, and after auditioning at the intermission, was invited onstage with Grapelli for the second half- when he was only ten years old. While Lagrène is primarily an ear player, he has collaborated with TAGA Publishing to produce an exceptional book filled with insightful tips on playing the Gypsy jazz style. Biréli Lagrène: Gypsy Jazz Guitar Artistry introduces the intermediate jazz guitarist to the essential rhythms used in Gypsy jazz accompaniment, as well as to the vocabulary needed to improvise in the Gypsy jazz style. Not for the faint of heart, the book includes online audio recordings of 33 rhythm exercises and licks to incorporate the right feel or panache in your own Gypsy jazz performance style. The musical examples are written in either chord symbols or standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.

This book focuses on the key elements of the Django Reinhardt Gypsy jazz or jazz Manouche guitar style. the information revealed here was gleaned from years of experience jamming with French Gypsies and studying with masters of the style. A native of France, Stephane Wrembel acquired his skills entirely by ear and has taught scores of musicians worldwide using the method that appears here in text and notation for the first time. Written in English, German and French with all musical examples in standard notation and tablature, Wrembel conveys his knowledge in a logical step by step manner, exposing the reader to the authentic Manouche style as it continues to evolve in France and Holland. Medium to advanced in difficulty, this method is designed for the guitarist who is already familiar with jazz harmony and note locations on the fretboard.

Dregni has penned the first major critical biography of Gypsy legend and guitar icon Django Reinhardt.

Gypsy jazz (sometimes known as Jazz-Manouche) is the first unique style of jazz music originating from Europe. Using the best examples of performances past and present, as well as showcasing the typical aspects of rhythm and lead guitar in gypsy jazz, this book is the most authentic method for gypsy jazz guitar. Includes practice transcriptions and songs by renowned gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who made the style popular throughout the world with his groundbreaking techniques. To this day, countless guitarists are influenced by the music and personality of Django Reinhardt. A CD is included containing performances of music in the book.

Finally, a great method which will show you how to play the acoustic jazz guitar in the style of players like Django Reinhardt, Oscar Alleman and Eddie Lang - their style is characterized by a powerful rhythm guitar and a vital swinging single-note solo line. Due to the fact that it can be very hard to master the original transcriptions, this book simplifies this style without losing the essence of the original sound. Written in standard notation and TAB, the material can be played by students and players that master the easy to intermediate level on plectrum style jazz guitar. All titles are included on CD, as well as some play along tracks which offer a great possibility to improvise on typical gypsy chord changes and rhythms.

The solos of Django Reinhardt are an endless source of inspiration and amazement for any musician. In this exciting book, the author has compiled precise solo transcriptions (in notation only), as well as a thorough analysis of each. There is also a complete "how to" section that is like a book in itself. This book contains some of Django's best work. It covers a period of 17 years, from Django's first trio and quintet recordings to one of his last bop-influenced sessions, "Live at the Club St. Germain." Multiple versions of many solos are included to show Djangos' musical development over his long career. Studying the music of the master of Gypsy Jazz can help lay a solid foundation for your own sound and style.

The founder and leader of the Hot Club of San Francisco teaches and analyzes the styles of Django Reinhardt and other great swing players of the thirties and forties. He carefully explains the variety of rhythms as well as the improvisational leads that get a band to really swing! Video One - Rhythm: 60-MIN. DVD * INCLUDES CHORDS * EARLY INTERMEDIATE LEVEL Video Two - Soloing: 60-MIN. DVD * INCLUDES MUSIC + TAB * EARLY INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

An updated new edition of Ted Gioia's acclaimed compendium of jazz standards, featuring 15 additional selections, hundreds of additional recommended tracks, and enhancements and additions on almost every page. Since the first edition of The Jazz Standards was published in 2012, author Ted Gioia has received almost non-stop feedback and suggestions from the passionate global community of jazz enthusiasts and performers requesting crucial additions and corrections to the book. In this second edition, Gioia expands the scope of the book to include more songs, and features new recordings by rising contemporary artists. The Jazz Standards is an essential comprehensive guide to some of the most important jazz compositions, telling the story of more than 250 key jazz songs and providing a listening guide to more than 2,000 recordings. The fan who wants to know more about a tune heard at the club or on the radio will find this book indispensable. Musicians who play these songs night after night will find it to be a handy guide, as it outlines the standards' history and significance and tells how they have been performed by different generations of jazz artists. Students learning about jazz standards will find it to be a go-to reference work for these cornerstones of the repertoire. This book is a unique resource, a browser's companion, and an invaluable introduction to the art form.

"Grand Complications is the story behind the story of fifty of these original designs from 2003 to the present. It is a look inside guitarmaker William "Grit" Laskin's creative process: how he teases out a client's interests and intentions, how he develops and refines his ideas, and how he brings them to life in his mind and on paper. From "Short Stories" that fill only the headstock of a guitar to full narratives that run the length of the neck, each inspired design is the product of research, deep thinking, and a little alchemy. Featured here are projects ranging from an homage to John Lennon to a paean to humpback whales to a tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall."--

B&W photos throughout