Hi,

Can anyone recommend any books that have jazzy piano bar style pieces in? I basically just want some music like they play in hotel piano bars, so the well known standards but jazzy versions of them. I already have a copy of Stylings of the Great Standards 1, which is the kind of style I am after but the other books in the series don't have as many well known songs as I would like. I have looked on music websites and found so many jazz books that I'm not sure where to begin, and I would rather have a recommendation so that I know I'm getting the sort of music I want. I have passed grade 8, so I don't want to get a book of at least a medium standard.
Sorry I'm not explaining too clearly what I'm after, but any pointers in the right direction would be a great help!

Thanks,

Lizzie

I strongly recommend you to explore the catalogue of Wise Publications who quote an internet music shop address at http://www.musicsales.co.uk. Collections such as 'The Genius of Thomas "Fats" Waller' and 'The Genius of George Shearing' (to name just two) include their most famous compositions/improvisations/arrangements (+others) which are eminently suitable for Pianists of Grade7/8 and more advanced level who have a 'penchant' for their styles. Wise Publications also produce the 'Great Piano Solos' series at least one of which includes some jazz standards. These books are obtainable from all good music suppliers, so you may be able to inspect copies before purchase in a music shop close to you.
Hope this is of some help.

Best wishes.

rk

Yes, I have Popular Piano Solos 7 (blues) and 8 (jazz) by Wise which sound like just the kind of thing you are looking for

Hi L1zz1le, I've spent quite a lot of time, not to mention money, trying to find good popular/jazzy arrangements of the great standards. They always go down well with people, but more often than not arrangements can be somewhat dissapointing....that does'nt mean there are'nt some brilliant ones, just that you have to look for them. For starters, i would strongly recommend The Best Songs of Piano Bar book one published by ID music from editions musicales francais, it comes with a cd and i would say that this is probably the best book (overall) of this type i've found, very effective arrangements of some of Duke Ellingtons classics such as In a Sentimental mood , Satin Doll, and Sophisticated Lady, as well as good versions of Jobims Wave, the girl from Ipanema, Autumn Leaves, Petite fleur, a brilliant jazz tinged version of hey Jude, My Way, and other pop songs and ballads. Some of then are quite challenging, but they work very well. Book two is ok, but nowhere near as good as book 1. I found the Steinway piano stylings books to be a little bit uneven in terms of how well the pieces worked, sometimes very elaborate but missing the point in terms of keeping the piece recognisable. The Popular Performer series are hit and miss, but the Cole Porter one is very good, and the Jonny Mercer and Rogers and Hammerstein ones contain some effective arrangements. Another good one is fromSchott Piano Lounge, Jazz Ballads book/cd by Carsten Gerlitz, some of them are a little awkward to play but well worth the efforts.

Hi,

Thanks for all your suggestions, I have looked up the books and ordered a couple which will keep me going for a while!

Many thanks,

Lizzie