Book Reviews
On The Improviser’s Guide To Melodic Embellishment:
“First: at last, books with words. I got fed up with books with notes, transposed in all 12 keys. Seeing the examples on your site made me fear they were the same, but luckily this is not the case. What’s so good about Levine’s and Berkman’s books? They offer little exercises but a lot of insight. I read your text on the evolution of jazz towards modality: very insightful. So, thanks, I think I am about to learn a lot.”
Jan G.
“Yes I’m really looking forward to the book. I’ve been struggling with jazz improv for much longer than I’d like to admit. But I’ve recently made a huge leap (for me) by just thinking in terms of triads and their neighbor tones. I’d like to dig deeper and your book looks like a great resource. Thanks for making it available.”
Jared S.
“I’m completing a PhD on the evolution of the jazz piano trio through the artistry of Bud Powell, Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett and am comparing and contrasting their approaches to improvisation – in particular, their respective approaches to melodic embellishment. I’ve been looking for a good, complete glossary of melodic ornamentation in jazz and came across your book. (I will definitely ask all of my students to download it!) It seems that everyone has his/her own take on terminology, so I may create a glossary of terms of my own that is at least relevant to the paper. One way or another, it’s fun working on it! This is such a wonderful book! Thank you so much again, Bob.”
Susan Muscarella, Executive Director, Jazzschool, Inc.
On The Artistry of George Shearing:
“This is truly one of the best artistry editions from Warner Bros., if you like The Artistry of Bill Evans 1 and 2, then this is absolutely better stuff. Tuff but for real this also related to one album of Shearing (Piano) from Concord Jazz, so you can learn what it should hear” worth more I think than Oscar Peterson note for note,” especially the Shearing Song Book. Best Jazz piano book August 21, 2002″
Rizki Sewaka
“Bob Hinz has included some top standards as well as originals in this great folio of solo piano transcriptions of jazz piano legend George Shearing. Some of the songs included are “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” and “It Had To Be You.” It is a must-have for all jazz piano fans.”
Encore Music.com
“This collection has been in production for at least the past year, finally available! Transcriptions by Bob Hinz, the Shearing style of warm harmonies makes this collection worth the wait. Overall, advanced piano, tuff stuff!!”
Dr. Rein P. Vaga, D.M.A., Piano Performance
“Jazz Piano Legend George Shearing has included some top standards and some originals in this great folio. A must for all you Jazz fans and for those of you who just want to play good jazz.“
Stagepass.com
“I found this gorgeous piece in a volume entitled “The Artistry of George Shearing.” How lucky we are that George Shearing brought so much musical beauty to the world. This lovely arrangement of Shearing’s was transcribed by Bob Hinz, for whose efforts I bow and say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Hinz!’ “
Mark Porter
On The Artistry of Bill Evans Volume Two:
“His book of transcriptions of the playing of Bill Evans is well done and is an invaluable reference for both performers and teachers.”
Marian McPartland
For those who struggle trying to transcribe Bill Evans piano sessions, this is a godsend. Excellent selections of some of his greatest recordings. Just to have “I Should Care” is priceless. A terrific bargain knowing the effort that went into accurate transcribing.”
Amazon Review
“Bill Evans is a musician’s musician. And that is the reason this set of transcriptions contain a wealth of information about jazz. Anyone serious about jazz deserves to spend time with this compilation.“
Amazon Review
“Dig in to this! I have spent many hours with the transcriptions included in this book and I plan to spend more. For those serious enough to invest the time and energy, this compilation allows one to discover the beautiful complexities of Evans’ playing. I found myself working on playing only a few bars after which I would challenge myself to use the chord voicings or melodic figures on other different contexts. Bill Evans is a musician’s musician. And that is the reason this set of transcriptions contain a wealth of information about jazz. Anyone serious about jazz deserves to spend time with this compilation.”
Amazon Review
“I was tremendously impressed with how you used your ear to define in supreme detail the sounds that Bill created on that arrangement. Key changes occurred that were key signatures I’d never been able to play in before! My ear was good enough to know that your transcriptions were spot-on accurate. I will be ever grateful for what facility your book offered me.“
Jeremy P. UK
On The Bud Powell Real Book:
“I’m just reaching out to praise your work on the Bud Powell real book. It’s the best transcription work of Bud’s tunes I have been able to lay my hands upon so far. Keep up the good work.”
Michel van der Esch, Paris, France
“This is a well-made book, but it’s incomplete, Bud wrote way more tunes than are in this book – where’s Bud’s Bubble, Bud’s Blues, and the others? My fault for thinking this book would have more- but all the other real books I have have way more tunes ! However, along with the other Bud Powell books, the Omnibook etc- this is good for clear versions of his compositions.”
Amazon Review
“The Real Books only have a handful of Bud’s tunes, but there are numerous gems in the 40+ tunes in this book. Powell’s erratic life and premature death has led to a tremendous under appreciation of this talents as a composer.“
Amazon Review
“Bud Powell is a favorite pianist/composer of mine. I sometimes listen to nothing but Bud for 8 hours at atretch, and actually prefer his work after 1953 to his early recordings which made him legendary. While Bud’s close friend Thelonious Monk is now a jazz deity revered in universities and jam sessions everywhere, Bud Powell’s own tunes are relatively ignored but often just as logical and enjoyable. This book was long overdue.”
Amazon Review
On The Jazz Piano Quartal Voicing Workshop:
“Your book is excellent! Your core concept of quartal voicings being derived from scales has given me a greater understanding and more freedom in voicing choices than I had before. Your book is a goldmine of useful information, and I am enjoying working through it.”
Mike W.
“I truly believe we’ve covered everything pre-60’s: almost every book covers jazz as if Hancock and Shorter never happened. The way they opened up the harmony along with musicians like Clare Fisher, Bill Evans and Joe Henderson hasn’t been sufficiently explored or explained. Yes, we have chord-scale-pentatonics books, but the harmonic insight remains elusive. I dig how your quartal book helps me voice standards in a more modern way without sounding like I’m playing an exercise.”
Jan G.