On Thursday, March 21, 2024, a book launch event was held at the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript and Rare Book Library on Level 10 of Emory’s Woodruff Library. My textbook, Harmonic Development and Contrapuntal Techniques for the Jazz Pianist served as the backdrop for a broader panel discussion on jazz music pedagogy and preservation. The panel was moderated by WCLK’s Deb Moore. Other panelists included myself, vocalist, composer, educator, and multi-Grammy award nominee Jazzmeia Horn,  Dwight Andrews, a composer, musician, Emory professor of music theory and African American music and senior minister of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Atlanta; and Sam Yi, champion of Atlanta jazz for over 30 years and founder of Churchill Grounds, a longtime jazz music venue in Atlanta. The discussion was quite compelling and the full house was certainly appreciated!

I am happy to announce that you can officially begin reading my new book Harmonic Development and Contrapuntal Techniques for the Jazz Pianist (Routledge, 2024).

Many of you know that this has been a long labor of love for me and I am so excited to share it with you.

As a fellow musician, I know that sometimes it can be tough to access material that helps to elevate our playing while keeping us and our students attentive, inspired and interested. Early on, I did not have access to jazz instructional material written by those who looked like me. My hope is that this effort inspires you to believe that the potential to achieve dreams lives within us all.

Cheers!
Gary