Jazz Composition and Arranging In the Digital Age is a comprehensive and practical instructional book and reference guide on the art and craft of jazz composition and arranging for small and large ensembles. In this book, veteran composers and arrangers Richard Sussman and Michael Abene combine their extensive years of experience as musicians and instructors to demonstrate how advances in music technology and software may be integrated with traditional compositional concepts to form a new and more efficient paradigm for the creative process.
This book builds on material and issues treated in traditional jazz composition and arranging courses, including all the fundamental musical techniques and information associated with jazz arranging and composition instruction. In addition, each chapter of the book also contains specific examples demonstrating the effective utilization of music software as applied to the realization of these techniques. Software is employed both as both a learning tool in the form of examples and exercises, and as a practical tool illustrating how many modern day composer/arrangers are utilizing these techniques successfully in the real world. The book also offers several chapters devoted exclusively to the creative use of music technology and software. The extensive companion website provides listening examples for each chapter as well as enhanced software tips, expanded and additional music examples, and appendices of, basic principles and an expanded recommended listening list for further study.
Features
Presents traditional jazz arranging concepts alongside contemporary music technology and notation software
Features real world applications of the technology as actually used by the contemporary composer/arranger
Examples of fundamental principles are based on familiar tunes
Covers techniques of arranging for both small and large jazz ensembles
Emphasizes the creative, artistic, and aesthetic aspects of the process
Perfect for undergraduate and graduate jazz composition and arranging courses
Includes comprehensive and up-to-date companion website
Includes helpful listening lists for further study
Reviews
“Jazz Composition and Arranging in the Digital Age is a must have for any musician who plans to be a jazz musician. As composition and arranging are integral parts of developing a sound and style as a jazz artist, this book covers the basic considerations that will provide the skills to allow this to happen. Richard and Mike have left no stone unturned in laying out the fundamentals of composition and orchestration. This is a great book compiled by two fantastic musicians. I've already learned several things on the first read-through, and am looking forward to going back for more." —Bob Mintzer
“Richard Sussman and Michael Abene have created an all encompassing look into the techniques and methods for realizing a musical arrangement in the 21st century. However, what really sets this book apart is the great care the authors take to emphasize that the only true guide for any musician is one's inner ear and creative instincts, thus constantly encouraging the reader to assume ultimate responsibility and ownership of the creative process." —Gil Goldstein
“Unique and cutting edge. Just when it seemed the subject had no new approaches to uncover come Sussman and Abene. Grounded with solid basics and served up in the language of today's computer-enhanced music world. An extraordinary, must-have reference for all arrangers from the beginner to the seasoned pro." —Gary Anderson, Arranger / Orchestrator for TV & Film
“This is one of the most comprehensive books ever written on the subject and the detailed helpful hints on using Finale or Sibelius make it THE book to use in this new century. This textbook is invaluable for college teachers and their students." —Richard DeRosa, Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging, University of North Texas
“A comprehensive book—both musically and technologically—for the 21st-century jazz composer-arranger, written by two masters of the art." —Bill Kirchner, jazz musician/producer/historian/educator, and editor of The Oxford Companion To Jazz
“Richard Sussman is a great arranger - I wish I had met him 10 years earlier." —Hank Jones
“Written by a couple of seasoned professionals, this book is chock full of useful information. In addition, it gives the reader access to a website which is another great source for information. Well done!" —Jim McNeely
“Jazz Composition & Arranging In the Digital Age by Richard Sussman & Michael Abene is quite amazing! I'm sure it will set a new standard in jazz education." —Randy Brecker, Grammy award-winning trumpeter
“An important instructional text for aspiring arrangers...It hopefully encourages the creative reader, as Abene says in his foreword, to inquire into all aspects of making music." —Jazzinstitut.de
About the Author(s)
An accomplished jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, Richard Sussman has also achieved widespread acclaim as a jazz educator, clinician, and music technologist. He has been a member of the Jazz Composition faculty at Manhattan School of Music for over 25 years and is also recipient of the prestigious ASCAP award for Jazz Composition.
Michael Abene is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest living jazz composer/arrangers. In addition to teaching jazz composition and arranging at the Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Abene co-directed the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop for many years.
This book builds on material and issues treated in traditional jazz composition and arranging courses, including all the fundamental musical techniques and information associated with jazz arranging and composition instruction. In addition, each chapter of the book also contains specific examples demonstrating the effective utilization of music software as applied to the realization of these techniques. Software is employed both as both a learning tool in the form of examples and exercises, and as a practical tool illustrating how many modern day composer/arrangers are utilizing these techniques successfully in the real world. The book also offers several chapters devoted exclusively to the creative use of music technology and software. The extensive companion website provides listening examples for each chapter as well as enhanced software tips, expanded and additional music examples, and appendices of, basic principles and an expanded recommended listening list for further study.
Features
Presents traditional jazz arranging concepts alongside contemporary music technology and notation software
Features real world applications of the technology as actually used by the contemporary composer/arranger
Examples of fundamental principles are based on familiar tunes
Covers techniques of arranging for both small and large jazz ensembles
Emphasizes the creative, artistic, and aesthetic aspects of the process
Perfect for undergraduate and graduate jazz composition and arranging courses
Includes comprehensive and up-to-date companion website
Includes helpful listening lists for further study
Reviews
“Jazz Composition and Arranging in the Digital Age is a must have for any musician who plans to be a jazz musician. As composition and arranging are integral parts of developing a sound and style as a jazz artist, this book covers the basic considerations that will provide the skills to allow this to happen. Richard and Mike have left no stone unturned in laying out the fundamentals of composition and orchestration. This is a great book compiled by two fantastic musicians. I've already learned several things on the first read-through, and am looking forward to going back for more." —Bob Mintzer
“Richard Sussman and Michael Abene have created an all encompassing look into the techniques and methods for realizing a musical arrangement in the 21st century. However, what really sets this book apart is the great care the authors take to emphasize that the only true guide for any musician is one's inner ear and creative instincts, thus constantly encouraging the reader to assume ultimate responsibility and ownership of the creative process." —Gil Goldstein
“Unique and cutting edge. Just when it seemed the subject had no new approaches to uncover come Sussman and Abene. Grounded with solid basics and served up in the language of today's computer-enhanced music world. An extraordinary, must-have reference for all arrangers from the beginner to the seasoned pro." —Gary Anderson, Arranger / Orchestrator for TV & Film
“This is one of the most comprehensive books ever written on the subject and the detailed helpful hints on using Finale or Sibelius make it THE book to use in this new century. This textbook is invaluable for college teachers and their students." —Richard DeRosa, Professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging, University of North Texas
“A comprehensive book—both musically and technologically—for the 21st-century jazz composer-arranger, written by two masters of the art." —Bill Kirchner, jazz musician/producer/historian/educator, and editor of The Oxford Companion To Jazz
“Richard Sussman is a great arranger - I wish I had met him 10 years earlier." —Hank Jones
“Written by a couple of seasoned professionals, this book is chock full of useful information. In addition, it gives the reader access to a website which is another great source for information. Well done!" —Jim McNeely
“Jazz Composition & Arranging In the Digital Age by Richard Sussman & Michael Abene is quite amazing! I'm sure it will set a new standard in jazz education." —Randy Brecker, Grammy award-winning trumpeter
“An important instructional text for aspiring arrangers...It hopefully encourages the creative reader, as Abene says in his foreword, to inquire into all aspects of making music." —Jazzinstitut.de
About the Author(s)
An accomplished jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, Richard Sussman has also achieved widespread acclaim as a jazz educator, clinician, and music technologist. He has been a member of the Jazz Composition faculty at Manhattan School of Music for over 25 years and is also recipient of the prestigious ASCAP award for Jazz Composition.
Michael Abene is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest living jazz composer/arrangers. In addition to teaching jazz composition and arranging at the Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Abene co-directed the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop for many years.
