Review: The Jazz Singer's Handbook provides an inspiring and practical window of insight into the world of professional jazz singing. Drawing upon an impressive career as an arranger, teacher, singer, pianist, and clinician, Michele Weir (faculty, UCLA) has distilled her experiences and observations into two handbook sections: the artistry and the mastery of singing jazz. Also included is a jazz chord library, a professional resource guide, a review of music fundamentals, and an index of terms and symbols. The CD includes sing-along tracks for standard songs, many of which are in two keys for different voice ranges, plus recorded examples of the performance and arranging concepts presented in the text.

Chapters: The Nature of Jazz Singing, The Story of the Text, Text Delivery, Coloring the Melody, Phrasing is Your Friend!, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), Preparing to Sing A New Tune, Writing a Lead Sheet, Creating an Arrangement, Organizing a Gig Book, Rehearsing a Rhythm Section, Rhythmic Grooves and Playing Styles, Sitting In, Appendix I: Music Fundamentals, Appendix II: Jazz Chords Library, Appendix III: Professional Resource Guide, Appendix IV: Index

Review: Calling all current and would-be jazz musicians - you have some serious reading and woodshedding (practicing) to do, 232 pages worth! A former member of the Grammy-nominated Phil Mattson Singers, Michele Weir currently teaches at UCLA, and has taught at USC, CSU Long Beach and the Phil Mattson School. "Vocal Improvisation" is designed for singers, students and teachers of vocal jazz. There is a CD that contains vocal examples with rhythm section background. The exercises are appropriate for all levels of experience, from beginning to advanced, and also be useful to instrumentalists for developing jazz articulation. A tremendous resource of information for any jazz musician!

Chapters: Part One: Jazz Fundamentals, Chords and Scales, Chord Progressions and how They Work, Other Basics, Jazz Keyboard, Part Two: Beginning Improvisation, Getting Started, Rhythm and Syllables, Creating Melodies, Diatonic Chord Progressions, Learning to Hear the Changes, Part Three: Intermediate Improvisation Articulation, Melodic Structure, Non-Diatonic Chord Progressions, Hearing the Changes, Part Four: Advanced Improvisation, Other Aspects of Rhythm, More About the Bebop Language, Hearing the Changes Even Better!, Improvising on Jazz Standards, Part Five: Other Considerations, Creating and Retaining Interest, Practice, Part Five: Vocal Improvisation In The Classroom, Working with Groups of Students, Group Activities and Games, Appendix A: Interviews with jazz Singers, Appendix B: Solos for Transcribing, Appendix C: Index of Exercises

Review: This valuable publication features easy a cappella vocal jazz arrangements from the pen of jazz educator Michele Weir. These holiday classics fare all arranged perfectly in a light jazz style for today's singers. Includes a second group of three Christmas numbers arranged in a light, a cappella, vocal jazz style. Excellent material for your show and jazz choirs. Appropriate for beginning or established groups.

Chapters: A Holiday Jazz Trio, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, A Christmas Jazz Trio, O Christmas Tree, Winter Wonderland, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Review: This valuable publication features easy a cappella vocal jazz arrangements from the pen of jazz educator Michele Weir. These holiday classics fare all arranged perfectly in a light jazz style for today's singers. Includes a second group of three Christmas numbers arranged in a light, a cappella, vocal jazz style. Excellent material for your show and jazz choirs. Appropriate for beginning or established groups.

Chapters: A Holiday Jazz Trio, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, A Christmas Jazz Trio, O Christmas Tree, Winter Wonderland, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town