John Valerio

Jazz Journey: A Guide For Listening John Valerio

Publisher Marketing: "This edition of "Jazz Journey" covers jazz from its 19th Century forerunners through the 20th century. This jazz journey takes the reader and listener on an historical audio and video tour of some of the great jazz performances of the last hundred years. All of the major styles of jazz, including the forerunners of jazz, Ragtime and Blues, are covered; they include: New Orleans style, Chicago style, Stride piano, Swing, Bebop, Cool, Hard Bop, modal, Free jazz, freer jazz, and Fusion. The major performers include Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, and Keith Jarrett, among many others. For easy access to music described in the text, the book includes links to audio and video recordings along with listening guides. "Jazz Journey: A Guide For Listening" is intended to be the primary text for jazz appreciation courses for non-majors. It can also be used in jazz history classes for music and jazz studies majors. John Valerio holds a doctorate in music composition from Temple University and currently teaches at both the University of South Carolina and Newberry College. In addition to teaching, Dr. Valerio is a jazz pianist and composer of jazz and classical music. He has played with outstanding jazz artists, including Lee Konitz, Jon Faddis, Stanley Clarke, Steve Gilmore, and Chris Vadala, and, in 2006, he released his first album as a leader--"The Altoona Sessions." Dr. Valerio is also the author of eight books on jazz piano styles and techniques."