Caris Music Services

Distributors of jazz publications and instructional music videos


Anthology - Original Compositions

$27.95

A collection of 50+ Liebman original compositions, spanning the period from the '70's to 2006. The material includes all facets of Lieb's eclectic approach: modal, chromatic, blues, lyrical and free compositions. Many of the pieces include exact piano voicings and bass-lines. Also included is an essay on "Why Compose?" as well as descriptions of the inspiration for each of the tunes.

"Having the invaluable experience of being associated with Dave Liebman on many levels for many years and also having played and recorded many of these compositions, I can say from experience that his music offers not only the greatest challenges but also the greatest rewards. Practicing and performing his compositions will give you exposure to every type of musical playing situation imaginable and broaden your musical and improvisational horizons."

Phil Markowitz

 

 

THE MUSIC OF GEORGE ROBERT

$24.95

George Robert belongs to a very select group of young European jazz musicians who have had a successful career worldwide. He has performed and recorded with many of the jazz giants and is in great demand as a saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, arranger and educator. His discography is very impressive and his biography appears in the Jazz Encyclopedia written by Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler.

He studies jazz composition and arranging at the Berklee College of Music where teachers like Phil Wilson, Jimmy Mosher and Ed Tomassi notice his writing talents. He earns a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging Magna cum Laude in 1984.

That same year he forms the George Robert Quartet which receives the 1984 Down Beat Outstanding Performance Award and is invited to perform on the main stage of the Montreux International Jazz Festival.

In 1987 he meets Tom Harrell and both men hit it off right from the beginning, musically and personally!

In 1997 the critics of the American magazine Jazz Times select the duo CD “Youngbloods” (George Robert and Dado Moroni, Mons Records, 1994) as one of the top five jazz albums of the year. That same year he records his first album with Kenny Barron.

In 1998 Phil Woods hires George to play lead alto in his big band which tours Europe for three weeks and performs at all the major jazz festivals on the Continent.

In 2002 he is invited as featured soloist with the Chick Corea Trio and the UBS Verbier Festival Youth Orchestra, conducted by Bobby McFerrin. In 2003 George receives the prestigious prize of the Suisa Fondation for Music for his career achievements.

As this long list of great jazz musicians can attest, George Robert’s career is unique for such a young artist and he continues to tour, record and write extensively. (From the Foreword by Dan Morgenstern Director, Institute of Jazz Studies Rutgers University, Newark, New York, July 2003)

George Robert has a gift for writing melodies which are memorable and moving. His melodies are accompanied by some very interesting and surprising harmonic movement. I look forward to performing more of Mr. Robert’s compositions.(Kenny Barron)

George’s writing speaks for itself. His tunes are to the point, with unexpected twists and turns, and a beautiful shape and style. I particularly like the harmonic motion and the melodic line in George’s writing. He writes very much the way he plays: with a strong sense of lyricism and melody. I’ve had the pleasure to play with George in the last year or so, and man, he sounds great! Hearing George’s tunes pretty much completes the picture. George knows the jazz language in and out. And he speaks from the heart when he plays and writes. Check out George’s collaborations with Kenny Barron, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Tom Harrell as well as the Metropole Orchestra. It’s the real deal! I do believe you will enjoy studying and playing George Robert’s music. I certainly have. (Bob Mintzer)
 



THE MUSIC OF HAL CROOK

(100 Pages w/ CD) $24.95

35 Jazz Originals – intermediate and advanced levels
Featuring:
• Musical demonstration of each song
• Arranged introductions and endings
• Bass lines and rhythmic figures
• Swing, even and Latin feels

Also included:
• Chord voicings
• Rehearsal techniques
• Glossary of chord symbols and spellings
• Preparation method for soloing on progressions

Songs played in ensemble classses at Berklee College of Music

 

Hal Crook is probably known to most of you as the author of very successful books on jazz improvisation; those lucky enough to have heard him play find him to be an innovative and technically amazing jazz trombone player. Believe me, we have played together and he is too good for us mere mortals. The best, in short. What is not so well known is that Hal has written music for as long as he has played it, and the result is as challenging and musical as his playing. Hal’s compositions remain lyrical and accessible while at the same time asking the player to expand and develop his language and linear concept. Hal wants the “song” from the player but he also wants the player to explore and investigate the potential for “new songs” extant in the given material. This is a collection of challenging and rewarding jazz compositions. Highly recommended. (Bob Brookmeyer)

Hal Crook is a very special musician. He’s one of the few musicians I know who falls in the category, full-fledged jazz music master (FFJMM). According to my definition, an FFJMM must achieve a very high level of excellence in each of the following areas:
1. instrumental technique
2. improvising
3. composing
4. arranging
5. educating
Not two out of five; not three out of five; not four out of five. But all five areas. Hal has accomplished this, in my opinion. When Hal asked me to listen to a demonstration CD containing 35 of his original compositions, I was delighted to comply. My only concern was that there might be one or two songs in the collection that didn’t quite “do it” for me. (You can’t expect all 35 songs to be consistently good, can you?) Well, I put on the demo CD and began to wait for a song I didn’t care for. Sixty-five minutes later, I was still waiting – and I’d heard all 35 songs! Simply put, this is great music. It is appealing from so many perspectives: wonderful melodies, sophisticated harmonic terrain, interesting forms, great comping, excellent (and realistic) bass lines, diverse rhythmic layering. You even find a few of Hal’s signature examples of musical humor, as well as several pieces that I can only describe as “futuristic” – what jazz may sound like in ten years or so – featuring the effective use of bi-tonality and rhythmic superimposition. In addition, Hal walks just as he talks! (Even better, actually.) His music clearly demonstrates all of the excellent material in his numerous educational books on jazz. And this wonderful collection of great compositions will present an inspiring challenge to jazz improvisers around the world. I, for one, can hardly wait to get my hands on the music. My only hope – for all of us – is that this full-fledged jazz music master has plans for Volume 2, then Volume 3, then Volume 4 … (Mick Goodrick)

This enlightening and probing anthology takes us on an amazing musical journey into the compositional world of Hal Crook. Quick, witty, profound, and always musical, we can all learn a lot by stealing from this “Crook.” Greg Hopkins, Professor, Jazz Composition Department Berklee College of Music


THE RON MILLER SONGBOOK

(54 page book - C Instruments) $16.95

This book of 37 of Ron Miller’s most favored recorded & performed compositions contains a brief history, description and performance directions for the successful realization of each composition. His tunes have been recorded and/or performed by Billy Hart, Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, Gerry Bergonzi, Jerry Coker, Gary Keller, Tim Hagans, Ira Sullivan, Rick Margitza, Dave Liebman and others. Bb & Eb versions available soon.


 

THE MUSIC OF CLARE FISCHER - VOLUME 1

(141 page book) $24.95

A songbook collection of 48 of the composer's tunes. Included are A Long Time Ago, Elegy, Gaviota, Pensativa and others. Forwarded by Jerry Coker with a preface by Bill Dobbins. 

"Clare Fischer is an imaginative, creative and very sensitive musician... His undeniable talent and proficiency as a composer, arranger and pianist have given all his music a personal quality which is not lost when another jazz musician interprets it." 

 


THE MUSIC OF CLARE FISCHER - VOLUME 2

(164 page book) $24.95

Born on October 22, 1928 in Durand, Michigan, Clare Fischer is an uncommonly versatile musician, a master with many muses. Trained in the classics, inspired by jazz artists, healed by the rhythms of Latin and Brazilian music, his eclectic sound finds expression in every chart and instrument he touches.

Clare Fischer has recorded over 40 albums as a leader and has arranged, composed and/or played on another 100 plus albums for other recording artists. His discography reads like a “Who’s Who” of the recording industry.

 


ALONE TOGETHER - JUST ME - CLARE FISCHER

SOLO PIANO IMPROVISATIONS TRANSCRIBED BY BILL DOBBINS

 

Alone Together Book $19.95 / CD $17.95

Clare Fischer has been, up to now the best kept secret in the world of jazz and creative contemporary music. Although his work as pianist and arranger for the legendary vocal group, the Hi Los was acknowledged by Herbie Hancock as a major influence on his harmonic development. Clare's unique body of work has remained largely unknown to the musical public. He is the musician's musician personified, and his harmonic skills have influenced many musicians who are seen frequently on television and on the covers of the most influential music magazines.

The material selected for this collection comes from two solo recordings which Clare himself considers to contain some of his best solo piano work: "Alone Together" and "Just Me."

CLARE FISCHER AND THE BRUNNER-SCHWER STEINWAY

Yesterdays; Du, Du liegst mir im Herzen; Tahlia; The Touch of Your Lips; "Excerpt" from Canonic Passacaglia; Everything Happens To Me; Brunner-Schwerpunkt' I Can't Get Started

"If I had to make a list of the ten most important solo jazz piano recordings of all time, this recording would definitely be on the list." (Bill Dobbins)

 


THE MUSIC OF RICHIE BEIRACH 

(69 page book) $19.95

This publication by jazz pianist Richie Beirach, presents 37 original compositions spanning the years 1970-1999. Some of the pieces are presented in two separate versions allowing the student or professional to explore their development, rearrangement and recomposition. Copies of original handwritten leadsheets are included for selected titles. The author also presents his thoughts and provides background for each tune. 

Tudo e Som (All Is Sound) - The Music of Hermeto Pascoal 

(62 page book) $33.95

For the first time ever the music of Hermeto Pascoal, legendary Brazilian composer and jazz musician, is finally in print. Tudo e Som contains 32 of Hermeto's greaest works, edited by former band member Jovino Santos Neto. This is a must for every serious jazz musician and composer.



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