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Bart Marantz NPR/KERA Jazz Education Interview    Click below to listen to the interview  Click below to read the article 
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 Reviews "Waltz Time" Written and Arranged By: Willie Thomas Instrumentation: Big Band Publisher: Warner Brothers Publications Grade: 3 Medium Jazz Waltz Tempo = 120 $30.00 So you have just started a large jazz ensemble at your middle school and want the students to learn the jazz waltz feel. Here it is in all its glory by master teacher and IAJE Hall of Fame winner, Willie Thomas. Over the years Willie has produced top line jazz education material to help the beginner understand what jazz music is about and this chart, “Waltz Time” is right there helping our youth along the way. Willie states a very playable melody in the jazz waltz feel and starts with quarter and half notes at the beginning of the chart. He later works his way into a moving eighth note line after the solos at call number 53 for saxes and earlier for the trumpets. Trombones get their chance at an eighth note line later in the chart as well. There are solo changes with the beginner in mind and backgrounds that have a call and response texture written in to help these ambitious beginning soloists along. As curriculum chair for the USA I believe that “Waltz Time” is a needed addition to what we should be about; teaching our very young players correct rhythms and figures that will lay the ground-work for the future of our music. Willie Thomas has always been about this part of our business and this chart is just another step in the right direction. For the beginning or middle school program “Waltz Time” will allow your students to experience the jazz waltz in the way it should be taught. Top note for trumpet is written G above the staff. Bart Marantz
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