The Artistry of George Shearing: Piano Book

Bob Hinz's transcriptions capture Shearing's pianistic language with genuine clarity, making his harmonic sophistication and voicing choices accessible on the page. The collection balances well-known standards with Shearing originals, giving pianists a complete picture of his compositional and interpretive approach. These arrangements work equally well as performance pieces and as windows into how a master jazz pianist voices and reimagines familiar material.

Elegant and sophisticated, with the kind of harmonic warmth that defines the best of 1950s jazz piano. The music balances lyrical melodicism with intricate voicing, never sacrificing singability for complexity. Playing through these transcriptions feels like sitting at the piano with a master teacher explaining how standards can be reimagined through thoughtful, intelligent reharmonization.

Jazz pianists working at the intermediate to advanced level who want to deepen their understanding of post-bebop harmonic language and small group jazz aesthetics. Teachers building jazz curriculum will find these transcriptions invaluable for demonstrating advanced voicing concepts and compositional sophistication. Pianists interested in the intersection of standards and original compositions will find a rich collection that rewards repeated study.

• Study Shearing's recorded versions first to internalize his characteristic voicings and the overall sound aesthetic; the transcriptions preserve his harmonic language but come alive when you understand his tonal conception.
• Pay close attention to left-hand independence and bass line movement; Shearing's comping creates conversation between hands rather than simple accompaniment patterns.
• Shape phrases through dynamic control and rubato rather than relying on tempo changes; his style emphasizes harmonic color and melodic breathing over rhythmic flashiness.
• Approach the pedal with precision since his dense voicings can blur quickly; use selective pedaling to enhance harmonic resonance without muddying the lines.

Feature individual selections in jazz recitals or as standalone pieces demonstrating classical jazz piano repertoire. Use the collection to support jazz history or jazz improvisation study, pairing performances with listening to Shearing's original recordings. Include transcriptions in advanced piano studio curricula where students are exploring jazz language and harmonic sophistication beyond traditional classical repertoire.

• Reading and interpreting advanced jazz voicings and quartal harmonies
• Left-hand independence and comping patterns specific to cool jazz and small group jazz
• Pedal technique for dense harmonic sonorities
• Phrasing and rubato in jazz idiom
• Harmonic analysis of standards through reharmonization
• Finger independence and hand position management across extended voicing ranges