Jazz Workbook, Volume 1 B-Flat Edition

Miles Donahue

Dec 2010 · Mel Bay Publications

About this ebook

The Jazz Workbook (vol. 1) is a first of its kind book. Teaching single note instrumentalists (including guitarists) how to hear and play thru chord changes,this is the essential elements of jazz. The play along audio has no chord instrument included, thus the student can hear the sound of the chord on his or her own. This is a method book in which everything is written out for the student, so in turn, just playing thru the exercises in this book with or without a teacher will clear up many questions about harmony. Editions come in Bass, E-flat, B-flat and Concert. Includes access to online audio.

About the author

Grammy award winning and Boston Globe jazz critic Bob Blumenthal says, “Discover a jazz treasure. Miles

Donahue is one of the best-kept jazz secrets. Equally adept on trumpet and various saxophones and a

composer of grace and originality…”

Miles Donahue’s jazz career did not begin in earnest until the age of 45, although in the 60’s he performed at

many venues with his own group that featured Harvey Swartz, Jerry Bergonzi, Charlie Banacos, Nick Goumas

and Jack Diefendorf. One of these concerts in 1972, performed with Charlie Banacos and Jerry Bergonzi, became

known as the famous Arlington Street Church Concert.

In the 1980s, Miles did two albums for which he wrote all the original material with New York Philharmonic

flutist Paige Brook.These two albums were released on Tioch Records.

In 1992, Miles first major recording as a jazz leader was released on Timeless Records.“Double Dribble” featured

Kenny Werner, Bruce Gertz and George Schuller. A review of this recording in Saxophone Journal reads:“Very

few musicians today have the diversity and hidden talents Miles Donahue possesses. His phrasing of tenor and

trumpet, the harmonic sophistication he plays with and his ability to swing with incredible beauty, all lead to a

master musician.This is one of the best CDs I’ve heard in years.”

In a Jazziz magazine review of “The Good Listener” on Ram records the reviewer says, “like Benny Carter and

Ira Sullivan, Miles Donahue is a rare example of someone whose strong personality asserts itself without

hesitation whether he’s picking up trumpet or saxophone.”

“Simple Pleasures,” released in 1998 (also on Ram Records), was Miles’ next recording. It featured Kenny

Werner, George Garzone, Mick Goodrick, Billy Hart and Bruce Gertz.

Given the instability of the record industry, Miles has formed his own label, Amerigo Records, and the first

release, “In The Pocket,” features Fred Hersch, Jerry Bergonzi, Jamey Haddad, Kurt Rosenwinkle and Jay

Anderson. It was released September 2001.

In an interview in Saxophone Journal, Jerry Bergonzi said:“Miles Donahue is one of my favorite cats because he

plays so unique and fresh. Plus the thing of trumpet and sax. To this day I’ve never heard anyone play trumpet

and tenor so balanced.”

Here is what Steve Greenlee (Boston Globe jazz critic) had to say about Miles Donahue’s latest project (a 4-

album set of standards featuring more than 20 different musicians) “Wow, what a massive, impressive project.”

These albums will be available in stores April, 2003.