Alfred Teams with Judy Carmichael to show you how to stride
(ShackMan | Posted 2011-06-23)
Alfred Music Publishing, the official print music publisher of thousands of popular artists, has released Judy Carmichael: You Can Play Authentic Stride Piano, a collection of sheet music for some of the most well-known stride piano tunes, arranged with instruction by world leading stride pianist Judy Carmichael. And if you don't know who she is, I suggest you start by taking a listen: Judy Carmichael at Dizzy's Coca Cola Club New York.
Got that? So now that we know she can play, let's move on to the book. In addition to “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Ain’t She Sweet,” “I Got Rhythm,” and 11 more world-famous stride piano standards arranged by Judy Carmichael, Judy Carmichael: You Can Play Authentic Stride Piano features exercises for mastering this style, practice tips specifically written for selected songs, and a listening CD with full-length recordings of every song found in the book. This last bit is essential, because the key to jazz is not the playing of notes but the understanding of the feel and sound of the style. Offering an in-depth understanding of this jazz piano style, via her commentary and signature piano arrangements, Carmichael brings to light how she was influenced by some of history’s most well-known stride pianists, including Thomas “Fats” Waller, Willie “the Lion” Smith, and others; she even offers some introductory stride exercises to help you understand the basics. It already seems like a pretty fun book to me, and the East Coast striders were some of my favorite pianists of all time.
Judy Carmichael taught herself “Maple Leaf Rag” — her first ragtime piano piece — at the age of 12, a gateway that opened her ears to her discovery of ragtime’s close cousin, stride. Carmichael’s passion and command of the stride piano style grew, leading her to gigs as a pianist on a cocktail cruise boat and at Disneyland during her college years, and ultimately to a record deal. Nicknamed “Stride” by jazz icon Count Basie, the Grammy®-nominated pianist has released nine albums, currently hosts and produces the widely syndicated radio program, Jazz Inspired, and still maintains a busy concert schedule throughout the world.
As part of Alfred’s ongoing commitment to improving the environment, this songbook is printed on 100% recycled paper stock.
Judy Carmichael: You Can Play Authentic Stride Piano (00-37254) is now available for $21.99 at music retail stores and at alfred.com/piano.
Titles: Judy Carmichael's Stride Exercises * Ain't Misbehavin’ * Ain't She Sweet * Christopher Columbus * Honeysuckle Rose * I Got Rhythm * I Would Do Anything for You * Jive at Five * Lazy River * Little Rock Getaway * Love Is Just Around the Corner * Nagasaki * Oh! Lady Be Good * Old Fashioned Love * Rosetta.
James Rushin is a bassist, keyboardist, writer, and composer living and working in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He has performed with Selmer artist Tim Price, Curtis Johnson, guitarists Ken Karsh and Joe Negri. His compositions have been featured in and around Pittsburgh, at West Virginia University and Valley Forge Christian College.
Got questions? Comments? James can be reached as ShackMan in the Music Gear Review forums, or you may e-mail him at James.Rushin@MusicGearReview.com.
