Ten Months of Tristano

In an attempt to develop a strict practice regime and to progress as an improviser, I am going to spend the next ten months working through the material and lesson concepts that I have collected through my early studies of the Tristano School with pianist Ed Paolantonio, my approach-altering time spent with Lee Konitz, and my conversations and performances with Ted Brown. The work I've done in researching Lester Young, as well as my bebop roots nurtured by Barry Harris, will surely combine with this strict curriculum to nudge my playing closer to where I want it to be.

I realize that Lennie prescribed his method as an ongoing learning process, taking years of rigid adherence to the course before attempting to really improvise. However, I do have some familiarity with improvising, playing the repertoire, and a deep commitment to the past masters of the jazz idiom: Louis Armstrong, Charlie Christian, Lester Young ,Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Fats Navarro.

Let's hear how it goes in October.