It may come as no surprise that I am a huge fan of Eric Nemeyer’s publication Jazz Improv Magazine. It is a quarterly magazine that is both subscription based and available at major Magazine Stores/News Stands. Each issue is chock full of interviews, reviews, a CD or two of music and it’s raison d’etre, Jazz Improvisation teachings. In their own words:

“Jazz Improv is dedicated to support the growth and perpetuation of America’s Original Classic Art Form - Jazz. The organization is committed to document and codify the music and promote improvisation as a vital approach to creating music. Jazz Improv seeks to document both (1) the ever-growing jazz repertoire of published and unpublished compositions; and (2) the improvised recorded solos of jazz practitioners who are currently and have contributed performances and recordings to support, expand and promote the growth of the art form.
Jazz Improv seeks to help educators teach jazz improvisation, and to make it easy for all jazz lovers to participate and to make music, by helping them increase their knowledge, skills and repertoire.
Jazz Improv’s goal is to provide music, ideas and motivation, to help jazz enthusiasts, students and musicians develop their skills, understanding, ability to communicate and make music, and to encourage musical participation, interest in, and support of jazz. Toward that goal, Jazz Improv publishes songs to play and note-for-note transcriptions of improvised solos as recorded by master practitioners of the music, along with a companion compact disc recording, book excerpts, reviews of recordings, interviews and related information about jazz.”

Now while all of this is way cool, there is something even cooler…free issues!! Jazz Improv Magazine provides easy downloads of their Jazz Improv:NY edition which can be found for free in a ton of NY stores, clubs and such. More importantly, Jazz Improv Magazine also provides a digital version for us all to download and enjoy in the comforts of our own home. While not as huge as the parent Magazine, it is never the less full of great interviews, reviews and club/concert/gig listings in the NY area that should keep ya well-informed until the next issue.

The latest issue features interviews with no less than 22 of today’s leading six string slingers. Cats like Dave Stryker, Julian Lage, Jonathan Kreisberg, Jimmy Bruno, Steve Herberman, Paul Bollenback and John Stein to name a few, are featured along with other wonderful players. Plus there’s a great interview with Organist Dr. Lonnie Smith.

Now hopefully you have been reading this post until now ’cause here’s a special treat: A FREE download of the entire Wes Montgomery cover issue. That’s 176 pages of pure insight and enjoyment, but I wouldn’t wait though, who knows how long it will be up there for…so hurry and grab yourself a copy now while it lasts. And if you get something out of that issue or the free NY editions, then why not support Jazz Improv Magazine by subscribing or purchasing their magazines. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor and keeping a great resource alive and kicking…:) Please feel free to let me know what ya think of the issues mentioned or if you are already a subscriber/purchaser of Jazz Improv Magazine. And of course, to add to your knowledge of Jazz Guitar you should always be dropping by Jazz Guitar Life…:) Take care all.

Barry Galbraith # 5 - Guitar Improvisation By Barry Galbraith. For guitar. 10 finger/transcribed solos based on standards. Play Along. Level: intermediate, advanced. Book with CD. Published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz. (BG5DS) See more info…