“We would have better rhythm section players during jam sessions if horn owners were a bit more courteous. No more than three per song and fewer choruses. This will give the congregation room to breathe and thrive with positive energy.”

…

“When I show up at a jam session, I don't want to listen to cats practicing. Every note you play is important! No filler. Respect the rhythm section. If you can't say it in two or three choruses…keep it in…

Young musicians: Get these records 

Clifford Jordan - mosaic 

Kenny Dorham - live at the Cafe Bohemia

Eric Dolphy - out to lunch!

Art Blakey - soul finger

Duke Pearson - honeybuns

- Roy Hargrove

🎧 Higher Learning Playlist IV

…

“Here's what I don't get: it's clearly the end of your solo, but something tells you to take not another, but three or more choruses extra. STOP YOURSELF! Humility goes a long way.”  

- Roy Hargrove

Young musicians: Get these records

Shirley Horn - travelin light
Nat King Cole - live at the Sands
Dexter Gordon - biting the Apple
Dizzy Gillespie - the Champ
Miles Davis - bags groove

Roy Hargrove

Full playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2JD2DctkNWfbLw2LziuBFL?si=072d8be5abfc4168

“I asked Clifford Jordan why he tapped his foot on one and three. He replied ‘If you tap your foot on two and four then where do you clap your hands?’” 

- Roy Hargrove

It’s that time. Higher Learning Playlist Part 2:

Listening recommendations from Roy.

Listen here 🎧

If you missed the first one you can catch up below, we reposted it.

Note: Clifford Brown Three Giants and Sonny Rollins Plus 4 are…

Higher Learning Playlist I (Repost): 

Young musicians, pay attention. This is the first of eight playlists Roy made in 2018 with listening recommendations with you in mind. 

Start listening 🎧 #higherlearning

“You have to love this thing man. You have to love it. And breathe it. It’s your morning coffee. It’s your food. That’s why you become an artist.”

- Roy Hargrove

https://youtu.be/mIaONoYeDh4?t=38

“Bebop, man. Don’t ignore bebop. Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell. Don’t ignore that, ‘cause that’s the basic language that you’re gonna have to learn to learn how to play. Lot of cats right now are ignoring that…

“Introductions, interludes, endings. All very important when creating music. A pianist should (have) at least ten stock endings in their arsenal of musical tools.

It happens a lot -- cats get to the end and no one knows what to…

From 2009 interview with Ted Panken. Click here for full interview. 

Ted Panken: "Playing in big bands was a rite of passage for many of the older musicians who were your heroes, who came up before 1955-1960."  

Roy Hargrove: "That’s…