Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Volume 58: Unforgettable Standards: Book & CD

These are the ballads and swing standards that will follow your musicians into their first professional gigs, college auditions, and casual jam sessions for years. Having Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, and Miles Davis aesthetically woven through the choices here means your students aren't just learning tunes; they're absorbing the sensibility of musicians who shaped jazz itself. The rhythm section of Hal Galper, Wayne Dockery, and Steve Ellington swings hard without overwhelming, leaving room for a young player's personality to emerge.

Sophisticated and intimate. These aren't flashy showcase pieces; they're the quiet elegance of a late-night set or a masterful recording session. The rhythm section sits deep in the pocket, letting every note you play breathe and resonate. You're not fighting against the accompaniment; you're dancing with it.

Intermediate and advanced jazz players ready to own the standards that define the repertoire. This works equally well for a saxophonist preparing for a jazz combo, a pianist building soloing confidence, or a vocalist deepening her feel for swing phrasing and ballad delivery.

• Start with the recorded accompaniment at a slower tempo to lock your phrasing with the rhythm section; once the groove sits naturally, gradually increase the speed.
• Study how the suggested soloists voice their lines over each tune before improvising yourself. These aren't throwaway recordings; they're masterclasses in melodic and harmonic language.
• Work the ballads first. Standards like 'Unforgettable' and 'In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning' demand control and taste; they'll sharpen your ears faster than uptempo tunes.
• Sing the melody on your instrument for at least one chorus before soloing. It's the anchor that keeps your improvisation coherent and singable.

Assign one tune per week to your jazz ensemble or small group to build a working repertoire of standards. These tracks also make excellent listening assignments for music theory classes studying jazz harmony and form. Individual students can use any track for independent study, audition preparation, or simply developing the ear and confidence that comes from soloing over true jazz accompaniment.

• Soloing over jazz standard forms and harmonic progressions
• Listening and responding to a professional rhythm section
• Phrasing and articulation in swing and ballad contexts
• Melodic variation and motivic development
• Comping changes and harmonic awareness
• Intonation and tone production under the influence of a band