This collection is packed with highlights from John Kember's Jazz Piano Player series. There are 16 classic jazz standards arranged on 37 pages for intermediate/Grades 5-8 level. There is also an accompanying CD featuring performances by Kember himself. The pieces are from the golden era of songwriting and include works by Gershwin, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers. The preface has recommendations for further listening, and at the back of the book there is a succinct and clear guide to jazz chords for pianists - a very useful stand-alone guide for pianists starting to play this genre, explaining the basic chords, the sequence of 7ths and other jazz chords. The pieces include I Get a Kick Out of You, I've Got You Under My Skin, In a Sentimental Mood and the classic Summertime. The arrangements use the chord structures (chord symbols are included) where possible - and the original keys - but all have their own individual pianistic stamp. They are classed at a higher intermediate level, not only for the notes and chords, but because of the level of skill required to voice the melodies and play with the appropriate expression. Mr Kember's CD is a good model for this and the guide gives further suggestions. This collection is perfect for those beginning to explore jazz and for pianists who just appreciate good arrangements of jazz standards.
Music Teacher Magazine Products and Reviews Supplement 2013
The Jazz Piano Player Collection is a selection of jazz arrangements by John Kember. It is packed with highlights from the Jazz Piano Player series: classic jazz standards superbly arranged by John Kember for intermediate-level piano solo. All the songs are in their standard keys and include chord symbols. This book also features an accompanying CD with stunning performances by John Kember himself. The book features many of the jazz greats from the Golden Age of song writing, including George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Richard Rogers to name but a few.
Ensemble Magazine, Spring 2012
