News & Views Thursday, May 17, 2012

Category: Jazz

Esperanza Spalding 10 May, 2012

Esperanza Spalding is an exciting, up-and-coming  jazz artist whose debut album, “Esperanza” has just come into print. She won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011,  making her the first jazz artist to win that award.   Her skills as an instrumentalist and vocalist make her shine in this album, in which she sings in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.   This collection is worth a good look!  Please contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC or at keyboard@stantons.com to inquire about this collection or other Stanton’s products.

Guitar Class Ensembles 04 May, 2012

This group of books from Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements Guitar Ensembles is perfect for your guitar class, beginning at the mid-beginner level, and going up to the mid intermediate level. As long as all three parts are covered, any number of players can participate. These are great fun if you have 2 more guitar buddies who want to play ensembles, too.

Each book includes the score with all three parts, and has 14-15 songs per book.  Each book of sheet music costs $9.95, so each trio costs only sixty- six cents!  There is a melody part, a harmony part, and a bass line written for the regular six string guitar.  There are several styles of music to choose from:  pop, rock, jazz, and even Disney!

If you would like to know more about these or any other music we have, feel free to contact us at 1-800.42-MUSIC or at keyboard@stantons.com.

USE IT OR LOSE IT! 01 May, 2012

School Teachers – we’re talking your budget allotment here!  In these tough economic times, you will want to make sure that you use what you have been given!  If you have money left on any of your Purchase Orders, we recommend that you get it spent before someone in the office decides to pull it out from under you and buy soccer balls with it!  Plus if you don’t use your allotment, there is a chance you won’t get as much next year because the clerk/treasurer sees that you don’t spend what you’ve been given, so they’ll give you less the next time!

With that in mind, Stanton’s Sheet Music has some great music with which you can finish out the school year.  Whether you want serious literature or something on the lighter side, we have plenty of choral, band and orchestra music that would be perfect for your Spring Concerts, for graduation, for teaching new concepts or practicing sight-reading or just to get a head start on next year. 

Check out the recommendations on our website, or call Stanton’s at 1-800-42-MUSIC (1-800-426-8742) and talk to one of our knowledgeable sales people about top notch music to finish out your budget.  The music we recommend is educationally valid, the best sounding and the most highly programmable, so you can count on getting just the right pieces for your groups to get your precious money’s worth.  Contact Stanton’s today!

“Jazz Warm-Ups and Vocalises” 23 March, 2012

Jazz Warm-Ups and Vocalises by Gary Walth is a perfect set of warm-ups for the vocal jazz ensemble that’s designed to enhance and stimulate the growth of each member’s vocal and choral ability. Thinking of the warm-up as a “mini voice lesson,” you can reinforce concepts with consistent encouragement, criticism, problem-solving and praise. This practical volume will help the conductor provide purposeful leadership and develop artistry in each individual through exercises that build styles such as Swing, Latin and Rock using solfege and scat syllables as well as tone and blend in ballad style. Each exercise includes a notated keyboard accompaniment with multiple modulations and professional recordings of a rhythm section and singers performing each drill on the enclosed CD.

Please contact us for more exciting resources for your jazz choir!

Digitally Download Sheet Music 01 March, 2012

Do you ever need sheet music in a big hurry?  Check out Stanton’s Digital Delivery to browse our digital sheet music library. There are pop songs, Broadway songs, sacred songs, guitar tabs, and much more!

You’ll need to download a free Scorch program that allows you to see the first page of each song you look up, and it allows you to print on your own printer.  Many songs can also be transposed to whatever key you need! Just pay with a credit card, download and print.

This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Happy browsing!

Copyright Resources for Musicians and Educators 22 February, 2012

Copyright law and its implications affect musicians and educators every day, yet most of us have little to no understanding of it.  Whether majoring in performance or education, undergraduate courses of study rarely present an introduction to the subject, let alone offer any courses that study it in detail.  It is challenging to know what is permissible under the law, and what exactly is allowed under the doctrine of ‘fair use.’  Violations of copyright occur frequently in our schools mostly due to the lack of education on the subject, and, like it or not, use in an educational setting alone does not necessarily constitute compliance with the ‘fair use’ provision of the law.  With increased scrutiny and debate over copyright infringement on the internet, the staff at Stanton’s would like to recommend the following resources to shed light on the subject for musicians and educators alike.  They are presented in order of increasing detail, and we highly recommend The Teacher’s Guide to Music, Media, and Copyright Law for music educators.  In addition, YouTube in Music Education is a great resource for those looking to use this technology to enhance their programs, but have concerns about how to do so appropriately.

Music Copyright Basics – Joel Leach
What is copyright?  This seemingly simple question often causes confusion with its complex answers.  In Music Copyright Basics, professor and expert copyright witness Joel Leach answers frequent questions in a straightforward, easy-to-use format.  Whether you are searching for a simple answer to a common question or want a general knowledge of the copyright procedure, this book will quickly provide you with the information you want.  Music Copyright Basics features: a convenient question-and-answer format; easy-to-understand answers to all your copyright questions; coverage of copyright basics, copyright submission process, copyright ownership, copyright and earnings potential, and international copyright; and a compact, portable design that keeps information easily at hand. (2003)

The Teacher’s Guide to Music, Media, and Copyright Law – James Frankel
The easy-to-understand guide for teachers using copyrighted music and media in the classroom.  In this era of unprecedented access to information, teachers have a wealth of readily available resources for lesson planning, but determining what you can and can’t use legally in the classroom is a difficult task.  Written by a 15-year veteran of the New Jerseypublic schools, The Teacher’s Guide to Music, Media, and Copyright Law helps explain just how information, images, video, and music can be incorporated into any kind of lesson plan without running afoul of copyright laws.  This resource includes: what resources you can use without obtaining permission, how to obtain and license the works you need permission to use, how to check the copyright status of any media item, and how to apply copyright legality examples to real classroom situations. (2009)

Music Copyright Law – Moser & Slay
Music Copyright Law will help you gain an in-depth understanding of a topic that is vital to the success of anyone in or entering the music industry.  From songwriters and performers to managers, producers, and agents, everyone is affected by the issues covered in this book.  Avoiding the technical jargon and “legalese” that bogs down other books on the subject, this book explores the world of copyright law and homes in on how it applies to music.  It begins by building a foundational knowledge of the fundamentals of copyright law – what it protects, the benefits of registering a copyright, and what to do when copyright has been infringed.  Once the fundamentals are established, coverage expands to include controversies involving copyright and music in the digital age and the debates over online music.  Packed with practical examples that bring complex concepts to life, this book is a must-have for any professional in or entering the music business. (2012)

My Funny Valentine 14 February, 2012

Do you have a significant other that makes you smile with your heart?  Their looks may be laughable (and even unphotographable) yet they’re your favorite work of art?  Then you could call them “My Funny Valentine.”

With lyrics close to those written above, the well known song, “My Funny Valentine,” has become a staple for the day set aside to honor your favorite loved one.  Written in 1937 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for their musical, Babes in Arms, it is sung in the show by the female lead, Billie Smith, to her love interest, Valentine “Val” LaMar.  She pokes gentle fun at some of his characteristics, but ultimately tells him not to change, because they are what gives him his charm.  Just about everyone can relate to that set of circumstances.  After all, love reigns supreme – especially on Valentine’s Day!

If you would like to perform this wonderful song, there are many settings from which to choose. There are versions for vocal solo with piano, as well as arrangements for choir, jazz ensemble (with or without vocal solo), jazz combo, concert band and full or string orchestra.  You can find these all on Stanton’s website, or try our Digital Delivery option if there’s no time to lose!

Get a real, LIVE person on the phone! 30 January, 2012

We’re always talking about our knowledgeable staff—you’ll find that very phrase on much of our printed advertising, as well as on our website. Stanton’s sales staff is separated into departments to ensure that each staff member is well informed about a specific area of the wide variety of music that we carry. So when you call and ask about music for trumpet, you’ll be speaking with someone who has first-hand knowledge of repertoire, not just a phone operator with no musical experience. Here’s what you’ll find in each department:

CHORAL DEPARTMENT (ex. 1)
Church Choral Music
School Choral Music
Elementary Classroom Music
Classical Solo Vocal
Handbell

BAND DEPARTMENT (ex. 2)
Concert Band
Marching Band
Jazz Ensemble
Orchestra
Solos for all concert instruments
Instrumental Method Books
Music Software/Technology

POP/KEYBOARD (ex. 3)
Sacred & Secular Piano
Organ
Piano Method Books
Popular/Broadway Solo Vocal
Contemporary Christian Vocal
Guitar Solos and Methods
Music for Folk Instruments

BILLING AND ACCOUNTS (ex. 4)

You can direct emails to the exact department you need by clicking the links above, or press the appropriate extension when you call 1-800-42-MUSIC (1-800-426-8742). If you’re unsure of which department to choose, we’re always happy to direct you to whoever can best address your needs; press “0″ to have your call directed, or send a general email. At Stanton’s, it is important to us that you receive the most educated answers to your questions and the finest music recommendations.

Stanton’s “21-Day Trial” Program 27 December, 2011

Did you know that you can preview music from Stanton’s before you decide to buy? We know that it’s difficult to tell if a particular piece of music will fit your needs without actually reading it through, so similar to checking things out from a library, you can “borrow” resources from our store using the “21 Day Trial” program!

Each of Stanton’s departments has slightly different guidelines about what/how many items can be sent on “21 Day Trial,” but in general we can send printed sheet music that is currently in stock. You can request items for trial by phone, email, fax, online or in person—any of the ways that you can place a regular order—but make sure that you specify “21 Day Trial.” You can list the music you’d like to peruse, or you can give us some specifications (like “Christmas piano solos,” “SSA choral music on the theme of friendship,” or “new publications for 8th grade jazz band”) and Stanton’s knowledgeable staff will find some suggestions for you!

Sacred product 14We require account or credit card information so that if you choose to keep the music we can charge you accordingly, or return the music within 21 days of your invoice date and you’ll never be charged! (You’ll just have to pay return shipping to get the music back to us.)

As you return from Winter break and begin programming the rest of your school or church year, remember that Stanton’s Sheet Music is here to help!

The 34th Kennedy Center Honors Airs Tomorrow 26 December, 2011

The 34th Annual Kennedy Center Honors airs tomorrow night on CBS.  The 2011 honorees feature four musicians – singer Barbara Cook, singer/songwriter Neil Diamond, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and legendary jazz saxophonist/composer Sonny Rollins – making this a broadcast no musician or music educator should miss.

From the Kennedy Center website, “This year, the Kennedy Center celebrates its 40th anniversary by selecting five extraordinary individuals whose collective artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world,” said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein. “With her sublime voice and rich performances, Barbara Cook has defined all that is best and brightest in the Great American Songbook. Neil Diamond’s songwriting genius has created one of the most enduring catalogs of American popular music and his live performances have captivated audiences for five decades. Yo-Yo Ma’s sterling musicianship makes him one of the most versatile and popular classical music performers in the world and his Silk Road Project has inspired students across the world to love and honor music. Saxophonist Sonny Rollins’ masterful improvisation and powerful presence have infused the truly American art form of jazz with passion and energy.”

In addition to all the pomp and pageantry, the broadcast is sure to feature some top-notch musical tribute performances.  Visit Stantons.com and our digital delivery site for music by and for each of these performers, and don’t forget to tune in or set your DVR!

Vandoren and Vandojazz Etude and Exercise Books for Saxophone 16 December, 2011

Celebrating the 2007 launch of the Vandojazz line, reed and saxophone accessory manufacturer Vandoren teamed up with music publisher Carl Fischer and ten of the finest jazz saxophonists in the world who use and endorse Vandoren products to produce a one-of-a-kind jazz etude and exercise book.  In the manner of the Vandojazz Etude and Exercise Book for Saxophone, Vandoren and Carl Fischer have joined forces once again along with ten Vandoren endorsed classical saxophonists to produce another unique etude and exercise book, this time from the classical point-of-view.  Each of these master saxophonists shares their own specific approach to playing the saxophone.

The Vandojazz Etude and Exercise Book for Saxophone features etudes to improve improvisation, technique, lyricism, and overall musicianship on the horn, and includes descriptions of the exercises, as well as philosophical explanations from world-renowned players including Don Aliquo, Frank Catalano, Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band; Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), Denis DiBlasio, Gary Foster, and more. 

The Vandoren Etude and Exercise Book for Saxophone features specific approaches and exercises to develop tone, technique, and overall mastery of the saxophone from world-renowned classical saxophonists including James Bunte, Claude Delangle, Otis Murphy, Neal Ramsey, and more. 

Valuable for their individual insights alone, these once-in-a-lifetime collections will be great additions to your library, and make great holiday gifts.  They are available for order via Stantons.com, or add them to your wish list!

New Advanced Charts from Belwin Jazz 13 December, 2011

When you need some new material for your advanced jazz ensemble, “The Jazz Guy” suggests that you reach for one of these new pieces from Belwin Jazz:

BEGIN THE BEQUINE
arr. Mike Crotty, Premier Jazz Series Gr.4
Saw the title, wasn’t excited. Heard the chart… IT’S FANTASTIC! This is a tenor sax feature, arranged for “The Airmen of Note,” as a ballad moving into a straight-eighth groove at around 160 BPM. There are some great solis with tight harmonies, lush chords in the introduction and interesting lines all through this exciting chart!

PEACEFUL THUNDER
arr. George Stone, Premier Jazz Series Gr.5
This Louis Bellson chart is a swinger with a samba bridge that will challenge the band. Features include solo space for tenor, trumpet and obviously, drums!

For more great ideas, contact us!

Christmas Jazz Play-Alongs to Make Your Spirits Bright 09 December, 2011

The selection of Christmas jazz play-alongs is better than ever!  They make great gifts for the instrumental ‘jazz head' in your family, are a fun approach to Christmas songs for people who play for recreation, and work really well for Christmas jazz gigs and social events this time of year.

Two new Christmas play-alongs are available.  A Jazzy Christmas is the third Christmas volume from jazz play-along originator, Jamey Aebersold.  It features many popular Christmas songs including Frosty the Snowman, Here Comes Santa Claus, Over the River and Through the Woods, Snowfall, and more.  The other, from Hal Leonard, is the Big Christmas Collection featuring 2 play-along CDs and 16 popular titles including Baby It's Cold Outside, Holly Jolly Christmas, It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, and more.

Other fantastic options include Jazz Holiday Classics and Christmas Carol Classics from Jamey Aebersold, and A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas Jazz, and Yuletide Jazz from Hal Leonard.  Ideal for the jazz gig and loaded with lead sheets for 150 Christmas tunes is the Real Christmas Book.  Published in the format and style of the original Real Books, the Real Christmas Book is now available in transposed editions for Bb, Eb, and Bass Clef, and 3 volumes of play-along CDs are also available separately.

You can order these titles via Stantons.com, or by phone.  The Stanton's Staff wishes you a Jazz-filled Christmas, and a Swingin' New Year!!

MORE New Music for Advanced Jazz Ensemble 03 December, 2011

Stanton’s “Jazz Guy” recommends any of these challenging new charts for your advanced jazz ensemble:

LIFEBLOOD
Rick Hirsch, Jazz Ensemble Series Gr.5
Stanton’s Sheet Music is now distributing the music of writer, Rick Hirsch. This chart is a lovely, programmatic piece with a light ethereal feeling. Written for five flugelhorns throughout, this is a great chart for your tenor sax soloist to stretch out a bit.

BODYSNATCHERS
arr. Fred strum, Radiohead Jazz Project Gr.4
One of the coolest new things out there this year comes from Sierra Music Publications. It’s called the Radiohead Jazz Project, featuring incredible arrangements of music of the band Radiohead from all of the top writers represented by Sierra. See and listen to the entire listing by going to www.stantons.com and typing Radiohead Jazz Project into the keyword field in the Advanced Search.

AS IT IS
arr. Bob Curnow, Pat Metheny Series Gr.5
Pat Metheny’s music lends itself to the big band genre and Bob Curnow has proven to be a master of doing just that. This a a multi-meter work with an inspiring, uplifting theme that repeats and crescendos to a powerful and affirming ending. Big, expansive tenor sax solo!

Contact us for more great ideas!

Stanton's Staff Favorites: Christmas Albums 30 November, 2011

Christmas time is here, or so the song goes, and now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, a few of the Stanton's staff would like to share some of our favorite Christmas albums with you.  Hopefully you'll find something new and different to add to your holiday playlist.  Feel free to share your favorites in the comments section below - we're always looking for something new to listen to, and Merry Christmas!


Caryn - Pop & Keyboard Dept.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Christmas Collection - Michael W. Smith
Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity and Christmas with the Cambridge Singers - The Cambridge Singers; London Sinfonia; John Rutter
O Holy Night - Jackie Evancho
December Piano Solos: 20th Anniversary Edition - George Winston
Indigo Christmas: Retro Jazz Swing – (no specific artist)
Carol - The American Boychoir
And Winter Came - Enya

Jen - Choral Music Specialist
Angels on High - Robert Shaw Singers
Holiday Spirits - Straight No Chaser
Elf Movie Soundtrack
Christmas Together - John Denver and The Muppets

Ken - Band/Instrumental Dept.
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Christmas Songs – Diana Krall & the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Jingle All the Way – Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
Christmas Jazz Jam – Wynton Marsalis
Christmas in the Morning: A Celebration in Brass – Canadian Brass; Michael Laird & Philip Jones Brass Ensembles
A Night Before Christmas – Spyro Gyra
Christmas Greetings – The Festival Chorale, conducted by H. Royce Saltzman
White Christmas – Bing Crosby

New Advanced Jazz from Kendor Music 28 November, 2011

To engage your ensemble and your audiences, “The Jazz Guy” at Stanton’s recommends these new charts from Kendor Music:

ORO PRETO
Bob Mintzer, Jazz Summit Series Gr.5
The ensemble writing of this chart will challenge the wind section and should be played with good, clean and vibrant attacks on each note. The horn section is the rhythm section on this tune! Familiarity with Brazilian music is a must for success!

HARDLY
Mike Dana, Jazz Summit Series Gr.5
Mike Dana’s chart is the perfect concert or festival opener for your advanced band! Plenty of open solo space, section solis and driving rhythm section writing make for a solid chart.

BLUE SAMUEL
Sammy Nestico, Premier Jazz Series Gr.4
Recorded on the SWR Big Band CD Fun Time and adapted from the tune Blue Daniel, this chart romps along in “four” instead of “three” and sounds harder than it is. It features a sax chorus and solos by alto sax, tenor sax and trombone. Sammy also writes some powerful ensemble choruses between solos.

Contact Stanton’s band department for more recommendations!

Dave Liebman in town! 29 October, 2011

Dave LiebmanAt Stanton’s Sheet Music we’re always looking to give our customers and blog readers a “heads up” on extraordinary musical happenings in and around central Ohio. For all of the in-the-know jazz fans out there, NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman will be playing two shows at the Vonn Jazz Supperclub on November 2. This concert is being sponsered by the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus. Liebman has been active on the jazz scene for over 40 years and has been a part of many classic performances and recordings most notably with Elvin Jones and Miles Davis. A prominent leader in his own right, he has many recordings under his own name as well. Dave Liebman also has a vast body of work as a jazz education author and clinician. Visit the Jazz Section at the Stanton’s Sheet Music website and click on the Liebman tab. Be sure to shop Stanton’s Sheet Music for all of your jazz sheet music needs, wants and desires!

New Advanced Jazz from Hal Leonard 27 October, 2011

If you are in need of something new to interest your Advanced Jazz Ensemble, Stanton’s suggests these charts from Hal Leonard Jazz:

OUT BACK OF THE BARN
arr. Mike Tomaro, Swing Jazz Ensemble Library Gr.4
What better instrument to feature on a bluesy “bump and grind” swinger like this than baritone sax? Written in a medium slow 12/8 feel, this chart will make your entire band sound great, plus allow an often neglected player to really shine.

LULLABY OF BIRDLAND
arr. John Wasson, Swing Professional Editions Gr.5
Arranged in a medium up tempo swing style and featuring an alto sax soloist at the top, here is a fabulous setting of this jazz standard for mature bands. Also featured is an extended sax soli with flugelhorn doubling the lead, as week as answers from the brass and shout sections for the entire band.

WHAT IS HIP?
arr. Mike Tomaro
Funk Little Big Band Series Gr.5
Although this isn’t a big band arrangement, it’s worth mentioning because it’s in the Little Big Band Series. This series, numbering twenty-three charts, are arranged by a couple of the top Hal Leonard arrangers and are a perfect fit for your advanced jazz ensemble that doesn’t quite have the full instrumentation. Oh yeah, this particular T.O.P. is tres cool!

(EVERYBODY’S WAITIN’ FOR) THE MAN WITH THE BAG
arr. Rick Stitzel
Swing Vocal Solo w/Jazz Ensemble Gr.5
Composed in the ’50s, this entertaining holiday tune has been recorded notably by Kay Starr and more recently by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. A dynamic and swingin’ addition to any holiday concert. (Key: Ab)

For more great recommendations, contact “The Jazz Guy” in Stanton’s band department!

“Radiohead” for Advanced Jazz Ensembles 20 October, 2011

There is a wonderful new series this year from Sierra Jazz Publications focusing on the music of the popular group Radiohead. This music is NOT for the timid is directed toward advanced high school and college groups. Complex meters and intricate harmonies highlight this unforgettable music. A sampling of the titles (all with sound clips on our website):

BODYSNATCHERS
arranged by Fred Sturm
SMP1100 $67

KID A
arranged by Steve Owen
SMP1101 $67

PACKT LIKE SARDINES IN A CRUSHD TIN BOX
arranged by Dan Cavanagh
SMP1110 $67

For more information on these and other advanced jazz titles, contact our band department.

New for Young Jazz Band 13 October, 2011

Are you in need of some new repertoire to energize your Young Jazz Band? Check out one of these great charts, endorsed by Ben–”The Jazz Guy” here at Stanton’s:

JACKPOT
by Lennie Niehaus
Grade 2, 60365 $45
In the Kendor Jazz Gateway series, this a wonderful chart to introduce young jazz musicians to the subtleties of Basie-style swing!

SACK OF WOE
arr. Mike Kamuf
Grade 2, 36034 $44
Early 60′s boogaloo jazz is an infectious style that grabs you and won’t let go! This Cannonball Adderley tune combining swing and straight 8th note elements is right up that alley.

WHEN BIG BANDS RULED THE EARTH
by Larry Neeck
Grade 2.5, 032-3992-00 $48
An up tempo swinger from Barnhouse that sounds much more mature than the difficulty level would indicate. Great shout chorus!

SOUL VACCINATION
arr. Paul Murtha
Grade 3, 07011843 $45
A great adaptation of  a classic funk hit from the 70s! It retains the signature horn riffs and licks but pares it down a bit to make it accessible to younger players.

For more great recommendations, contact our band department!