Jazz Transcription Clinic

Episode 11 - Giulio Carmassi

Hello everyone,
This is Mirko Guerrini, and I welcome you to the Jazz Transcription Clinic, a monthly interviews podcast where we talk with accomplished jazz doctors about their lives, careers and their personal transcription secrets. 
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Mirko Guerrini interviews the guest jazz doctor: Giulio Carmassi.
Listen to Giulio Carmassi's answers to the questions below: Why do you transcribe? 18:36What is your transcribing methodology? 28:05How you got the gig with Pat Metheny? 43:30
Giulio Carmassi is a performer, composer, arranger and producer.Carmassi recorded 2 albums and toured 42 countries with the Pat Metheny Unity Group, with Antonio Sanchez, Chris Potter and Ben Williams, starting with the 2014 album "Kin", on piano, vocals, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, saxophone, vibraphone, french horn and cello.
The album debuted #1 in the jazz charts, and the group brought home both the "best album" and "best band" nods from DownBeat magazine. He's also the pianist, singer and trumpeter on Metheny's "The Unity Sessions" (2016).
He’s recorded and toured with the Will Lee's Family band, alongside Steve Gadd and Chuck Loeb, alternating tenor saxophone, trumpet, hammond organ, guitar, percussion and vocals on stage.
He was also in NY the keyboard player of the Lew Soloff's band, alongside Mark Egan, Keith Carlock, Will Lee, Oz Noy, Lou Marini and many others.   
With his writing partner Bryan Scary, he founded the film music production team Hummingbirds.  Their latest score premiered at Sundance 2020, for the movie "Black Bear" with Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon. They are currently scoring “Please Baby Please”, starring Andrea Riseborough, Harry Melling and Demi Moore. As a team, they’ve scored and sound designed dozens of national commercials for Adidas, Uber, Ford, Volvo, Toyota, AARP, Royal Caribbean, Visa, Coca Cola and Unicef, and many others. Their music is also in several Netflix, NBC and CNN shows. 
Carmassi's YouTube channel has collected nearly 2 million views.In his videos, Carmassi plays, records, films end edits video songs of all kinds, from symphonic rock extravaganzas, to broadway songs, to fusion jazz music and hard rock.  
Born and raised in Italy, after living in both Paris and New York, Giulio Carmassi is now based in Los Angeles. 
You can check Giulio Carmassi here:https://www.giuliocarmassi.com/
You can check Mirko Guerrini's music here: https://mirkoguerrini.bandcamp.comor herehttps://www.mirkoguerrini.com
Mirko Guerrini is a D'Addario artist, playing D'Addario mouthpieces and reeds.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.../id1574500923Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6mptnbh97XLi8Tcd6Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b-d990-4c37-9a92
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Episode 10.1 - Hoppin’ John -Cannonball Adderley’s solo

Hello everyone,
 
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Live, I am analysing my transcription of the song Hoppin' John, as played by Cannonball Adderley on the album Sophisticated Swing, Emarcy, 1956.
I am talking through the entire solo and explaining some of the strategies and ideas employed by Cannonball.
I also elaborate on some of the most well-known bebop idioms, from chromaticism to enclosures.
 
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
 
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
 
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:
Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.....
Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6m...
Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b...
 
Background music is 'On the scratchy side of the street' from the album 'Mirko Guerrini e i Diavoli del Ritmo'.
 
DISCLAIMER
Copyrighted music is here used exclusively for nonprofit educational purposes.
My sole aim with this video is to teach how to transcribe solos for personal study and development on one's own musical instrument.
 
#jazzsolo #altosax #jazztranscription #saxophonesolo #cannonballadderley #learnjazz #music #podcast

Episode 10 - Steve Rando

Hello everyone,
This is Mirko Guerrini, and I welcome you to the Jazz Transcription Clinic, a monthly interviews podcast where we talk with accomplished jazz doctors about their lives, careers and their personal transcription secrets.
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Mirko Guerrini interviews the guest jazz doctor: Steve Rando.
Listen to Steve Rando's answers to the questions below:Why do you transcribe? 04:19What do you expect to learn from a transcription? 16:40How do you choose the solos you transcribe? 23:21What is your transcribing methodology? 25:52Have you ever had the feeling that you were copying someone? 43:04How do you incorporate the transcriptions into your playing? 47:47Which transcription of yours is your favourite? 56:10
Steve Rando is a Music teacher and educator. He is a Lecturer at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
You can check Mirko Guerrini's music here: https://mirkoguerrini.bandcamp.comor herehttps://www.mirkoguerrini.com
Mirko Guerrini is a D'Addario artist, playing D'Addario mouthpieces and reeds.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.../id1574500923Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6mptnbh97XLi8Tcd6Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b-d990-4c37-9a92
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Episode 9.1 - Practise with Jazz Giants - Lester Young - Tea for Two

Hello everyone,
This is Mirko Guerrini, and I welcome you to the Jazz Transcription Clinic LIVE, a variation of the podcast of the monthly interview where we talk with accomplished jazz doctors about their lives, careers and their personal transcription secrets.
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Live, I start a new series of videos called 'Practise with Jazz Giants', where I will practise some of the solo transcriptions I do. You can play along with me and practise with the Jazz Giants as well. 
I start practising at 70% speed and increase the speed by 10% every passage, to finally reach 100% speed. In this way, you can practise all the articulations and nuances that make Lester Young's playing so unique and distinctive. 
This is the link to the YouTube Video to play along: https://youtu.be/soi3dbncxvU
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
Please Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.....Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6m...Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b...
Background music is 'On the scratchy side of the street' from the album 'Mirko Guerrini e i Diavoli del Ritmo'.
DISCLAIMERCopyrighted music is here used exclusively for nonprofit educational purposes.My sole aim with this video is to teach how to transcribe solos for personal study and development on one's own musical instrument.

Episode 9 - Stephen Magnusson

Hello everyone,
This is Mirko Guerrini, and I welcome you to the Jazz Transcription Clinic, a monthly interviews podcast where we talk with accomplished jazz doctors about their lives, careers and their personal transcription secrets.
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Mirko Guerrini interviews the guest jazz doctor: Stephen Magnusson
Listen to Steve Magnusson's answers to the questions below:
Why do you transcribe? 03:47
What do you expect to learn from a transcription? 17:41
How do you choose the solos to transcribe? 24:21
What is your transcribing methodology? 33:08
Do you use any software? 45:45
Which transcription of yours is your favourite? 01:09:05
Artists mentioned in this episode: Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Dmitri Sostakovic, Charlie Parker, Charles Lloyd, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Brad Mehldau, Sonny Rollins a.o.
 
Stephen Magnusson is considered one of Australia’s most accomplished, versatile and distinct musicians with incredible technique and an astoundingly beautiful tone. His hectic schedule shows that he is a delight to work with and someone that has ‘something to say’ in the world of improvised music.
He was given his first ukulele at 3, his first guitar at 6 and began performing at 10 on an electric guitar that he loaned from his schoolteacher. At 13, he started to study under the guidance of Gordon Pendleton at the Box Hill Tafe and discovered the world of improvised music. In 1986, he studied at the esteemed Victorian College of the Arts under the supervision of some of Australia’s finest musicians – Tony Gould, Bob Sedergreen and Mike Doyle. Here he expanded his practice regime and playing. He joined various bands playing numerous styles and developed an understanding of different methods. But, his main focus remained, to develop and hone the craft of mastering the guitar.
He travelled to Europe and lived there and after being appointed on the staff at The Academy of Contemporary Music (Zurich) in 1997, Stephen met his long time collaborator – Sergio Beresovsky. They began to perform regularly with Swedish bassist – Bjorn Meyer and in the July of the same year, Australian saxophonist Julien Wilson travelled to meet and play with the trio. After the first week of playing, they formed SNAG and produced a self-titled album (released in Australia ‘Hey Guess What’).
After 3 years of living in Zurich, Stephen returned to Melbourne in August 2000. He entered the National Jazz Award at Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, where he tied for first place amongst much controversy. At this festival, he performed with his trio featuring Sergio and Eugene Ball. This recorded result is captured on the CD ‘Healing Songs’.
He has worked with many artists including Charlie Haden, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ricki Lee Jones, Sinead O’Connor, John Cale, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Paul Grabowsky, Vince Jones, Katie Noonan, Lisa Young, Christine Sullivan, Michelle Nicole, Martin Breeze, The Assumptions Trio, Megan Washington, Paul Kelly, Jim Black, Mike Nock, Barney McAll, Enrico Rava, Arthur Blythe and many others.
As a part of the Katie Noonan trio Elixir, the ensemble won the ARIA for Best Jazz Album in 2011.
In 2013, Stephen was awarded the Melbourne Prize for Outstanding Musician, and the Australian Jazz Bell Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album with his quartet MAGNET (with Carl Pannuzzo, Eugene Ball and Sergio Beresovsky).
Stephen is currently concentrating on writing for his duo Boundaries with Frank DiSario, and trio MAG featuring DiSario and Dave Beck. He will also be completing the second release from MAGNET, SOM.
You can check Steve Magnusson here: http://www.mag.net.au
You can check Mirko Guerrini's music here: https://mirkoguerrini.bandcamp.com or here https://www.mirkoguerrini.com
Mirko Guerrini is a D'Addario artist, playing D'Addario mouthpieces and reeds.
Subscribe to this podcast and to my YouTube Channel.
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:
Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.../id1574500923
Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6mptnbh97XLi8Tcd6
Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b-d990-4c37-9a92
 
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Episode 8.1 - Tea for Two - Lester Young’s Solo

Hello everyone,
This is Mirko Guerrini, and I welcome you to the Jazz Transcription Clinic LIVE, a variation of the podcast of the monthly interview where we talk with accomplished jazz doctors about their lives, careers and their personal transcription secrets.
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Live, I am analysing my transcription of the song Tea for Two, as played by Lester Young on the album The Complete Aladdin Sessions.
I am explaining how to use some good strategies to speed up your transcription skills.
I focus on the melody only and give hopefully nice tips on how to learn to play a melody in a jazzy manner without going too far away from the original melody.
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:
Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.../id1574500923
Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6mptnbh97XLi8Tcd6
Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b-d990-4c37-9a92
Background music is 'On the scratchy side of the street' from the album 'Mirko Guerrini e i Diavoli del Ritmo'.
DISCLAIMER Copyrighted music is here used exclusively for nonprofit educational purposes. My sole aim with this video is to teach how to transcribe solos for personal study and development on one's own musical instrument.

Episode 8 - Roberta Gambarini

Hello everyone,
This is Mirko Guerrini, and I welcome you to the Jazz Transcription Clinic, a monthly interviews podcast where we talk with accomplished jazz doctors about their lives, careers and their personal transcription secrets.
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Mirko Guerrini interviews the guest jazz doctor: Roberta Gambarini
Roberta Gambarini was born in Turin, Italy, where she attended jazz concerts, clubs, and festivals with her parents. Her father played the saxophone, and she grew up hearing jazz in the house and learning by listening to records. Her first instrument was clarinet when she was 12, then piano. When she was 18, she moved to Milan to pursue a career as a vocalist. In Milan, she worked in radio and television without making progress on her ambition.
Roberta Gambarini moved to the U.S. in 1998 and won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. A few weeks after her arrival in America, she entered the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition and came in third behind Teri Thornton and Jane Monheit. She was invited to sing in New York City, where she met Benny Carter and James Moody. Moody became her teacher, mentor, and friend. Her album So in Love was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. In 2004, she started touring with the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, performing with James Moody, Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath, Paquito d'Rivera, and Roy Hargrove. From 2006–2007 she toured with her own trio, as well as the Hank Jones trio. She sang at the premiere of "Cannery Row Suite", a piece by Dave Brubeck commissioned for the Monterey Jazz Festival. Her debut album, Easy to Love (Groovin' High, 2006) was nominated for a Grammy Award. You Are There was a collaboration with Hank Jones.
Awards
2007: Easy to Love, nominated for Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album
2010: So in Love, nominated for Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album
Discography
Apreslude with Antonio Scarano (Splasch, 1991)
Easy to Love (Groovin' High, 2006)
You Are There with Hank Jones (EmArcy, 2007) – recorded in 2005
So in Love with James Moody, Roy Hargrove (EmArcy, 2009)
The Shadow of Your Smile: Homage to Japan (Groovin' High, 2013)
Connecting Spirits: Roberta Gambarini Sings the Jimmy Heath Songbook (Groovin' High, 2015)
Dedications: Roberta Gambarini Honors Ella, Sarah & Carmen (Groovin' High, 2019)
As guest
Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band, Dizzy's Business, (MCG Jazz, 2006)
Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band, I'm Be Boppin' Too (Half Note, 2009)
Roy Hargrove Big Band, Emergence (EmArcy, 2009)
Paul Kuhn, Swing 85 (In+Out, 2013)
James Moody & Hank Jones, Our Delight (IPO, 2008)
New Stories, Hope Is in the Air: The Music of Elmo Hope (Origin, 2004)
 
In this episode, Roberta talks about how she got into transcribing, and how she developed her own personal notation to mark down all the expressions and tempo variations that are hard to write with traditional notation.
She also recounts how she learned vocalese as a form of expression.
Artists mentioned in this episode: Herbie Hancock, Benny Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, James Moody, Benny Golson, Dizzy Gillespie and many others.
You can check Roberta Gambarini here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberta_Gambarini
You can check Mirko Guerrini's music here: https://mirkoguerrini.bandcamp.com
or here
https://www.mirkoguerrini.com
Mirko Guerrini is a D'Addario artist, playing D'Addario mouthpieces and reeds.
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:
Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.../id1574500923
Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6mptnbh97XLi8Tcd6
Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b-d990-4c37-9a92
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

Episode 7.1 - Remember - Hank Mobley’s solo

Hello everyone,
This is Mirko Guerrini, and I welcome you to the Jazz Transcription Clinic LIVE, a variation of the podcast of the monthly interview where we talk with accomplished jazz doctors about their lives, careers and their personal transcription secrets.
On this episode of the Jazz Transcription Clinic Podcast Live, I am analysing my transcription of the song Remember, as played by Hank Mobley on the album Soul Station. I am talking through the entire solo and explaining some of the strategies and ideas employed by Hank Mobley.
I also explain strategies on how to practise your transcription, what to spend time on and how deep you should go with details. Hank Mobley employes a number of great tools to master his phrasings, such as enclosures, motivic development, and repetition of ideas.
Especially in the first four bars of the chorus, he is always using similar ideas within the chromatic descent of the chords.
Hank Mobley is telling us: 'repetirion is a good thing!'.
 
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is being recorded. I pay my respect to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:
Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../jazz.../id1574500923
Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1oQqf6mptnbh97XLi8Tcd6
Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521b-d990-4c37-9a92
Background music is 'On the scratchy side of the street' from the album 'Mirko Guerrini e i Diavoli del Ritmo'.
Mirko Guerrini is a D'Addario artist.
DISCLAIMER Copyrighted music is here used exclusively for nonprofit educational purposes. My sole aim with this video is to teach how to transcribe solos for personal study and development on one's own musical instrument.