MAESTRA BAILEY: A NATIONAL MUSICAL GEM
Photo: Live
from Down Under! Drummer, Andrew Dickeson, Sher and V in Sydney at the Side On
Cafe after a gig.
From
a little dreamer at the age of 13, to a band trumpeter in her high school
band, and from recording artist to a jazz teacher at college, Sheryl Bailey
had to walk an extra mile, maybe two, three or more. She had to put in print
the vast knowledge, experience and virtuosity she developed in the form of
training manuals. She had to write some books. The overwhelmingly productive
guitar diva came to the rescue. She wrote a magnificent book "“The Chord
Rules.” And Sheryl shed some light on the book, "The “Chord Rules” deals with
navigating LI-V-I’s, drop—2 voicings, applications for the Jazz Melodic Minor
Scale, and other assorted pet topics of mine. The underlying theme of
everything is that playing jazz is about creating melodies from harmony. To be
able to play changes means melodically interpreting arpeggios. That’s why
Charlie Christian changed the jazz line; he created melodies from harmonic
shapes. No one really played vertically before him. " This American genius
lives and breath jazz.
Photo: Richard Bona Band: Richard Bona, Gilmar Gomes and Sheryl Bailey 2004.
And it is so evident in the way she composes, performs, teaches and talks about jazz. For Bailey, a person needs to know his or her history, and nothing in life comes from nothing. Sheryl explains that when we understand how jazz was created, developed and has evolved sentimentally, socially, melodically, rhythmically, musically, harmonically, politically and spiritually, we began to feel and sense the immense beauty and wealth of this great American musical heritage. And those guitarists who love jazz, their playing will take on a new musical wealth, richness and inner beauty. If you want to excel, to become one with jazz and to master jazz guitar, you got to learn from this genius diva. Get her books. Read them. And to add an extra dimension to your learning, buy her CDs too. You will have the complete picture. "BULL'S EYES" is a gem. A masterpiece. A monumental musical creativity. No jazz library, discotheque or collection is complete without it. Buy it. You will treasure it for years to come. And if you believe in immortality, this CD will be your music companion for centuries. Maestra Bailey, you are the best. Two thumbs up! -Maximillien de Lafayette You can contact Ms. Bailey at sbailey@sherylbailey.com