Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Volume 17: Horace Silver: Book & Online Audio

These eight standards represent some of the most teachable hard bop compositions ever written. The rhythm section of Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, and Al Foster sets an impeccable pocket, giving students a secure reference while they navigate Silver's blues-inflected melodies and the varied grooves that define his sound.

Soul and sophistication in equal measure. These melodies hit with the directness of a blues, yet they unfold with the harmonic complexity and instrumental craftsmanship of the best 1960s jazz. The grooves range from laid-back swing to driving shuffle, held together by a rhythm section that swings hard but never rushes.

Jazz musicians at the beginning and intermediate levels who want direct access to canonical hard bop repertoire. This works equally well for ensembles sight-reading standards in rehearsal or for soloists preparing to interpret Silver's material in their own time.

• Listen to the original recordings before rehearsing. Hearing Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, and Woody Shaw interpret these melodies will clarify the phrasing and emotional intent your section needs to match.
• Pay attention to the comping rhythm on the recorded version. Silver's piano work defines the feel of each tune; tracking those stabs and spaces will anchor your improvisation.
• Work the slower practice tempos first, especially on the shuffle and swing tunes. This album's second disc of medium tempos makes it easy to build security before tackling the full versions.
• Practice the melody with swing eighth notes from the start. The difference between straight and swung articulation matters immediately on tunes like 'Sister Sadie' and 'The Preacher.'

Drop individual tunes into a jazz standard study unit to expose students to different grooves and compositional approaches within a single session. The breadth of styles (ballad, shuffle, bossa, rock blues) makes this series valuable for teaching rhythm section responsibilities across contrasting feels.

• Interpreting swing eighth notes and control of rhythmic placement
• Comping choices across varied harmonic rhythms and groove contexts
• Listening to and responding to a working rhythm section
• Improvising over blues changes and modal harmonic structures
• Phrasing and articulation specific to hard bop idiom