How often do you structure your playing/soloing/improvising in such a way that the audience can not only follow you but fill in the blanks?
This week I had the honor of giving a master class at the University of North Texas and one of the subjects discussed was building solos. I played this track (one of my favorites from one of my favorite albums) to illustrate the power of space. Well, not just space, but purposeful space.
What you’ll hear in this performance is not just Mr. Jamal “not playing” but deliberately setting you up to hear the phrases he leaves out.
Check out how he orchestrates his solo with combinations and contrasts of dynamics and ranges. And how he creates anticipation with vamps!
Ahmad Jamal (p), Israel Crosby (b), Vernel Fournier (ds)
Album：” Ahmad Jamal / Complete Live At The Spotlite Club 1958 ”
Recorded：Live at the Spotlite Club, Washington , September 5 & 6, 1958
I’m in a small jazz group and we’re covering Lingus for a competition we’re entering, I was wondering if you could listen to a recording of us rehearsing it and tell us what you think and how we should improve? It would mean so much, we’re all massive fans of your work.