Jim Hession / Jingles / James P. Johnson / stride master

[Tatukulele]

Absolutely Wonderful! Thanks!

[mands999]

wow!! my breath is taken away!! :D

[crankbv1]

Oh well...that's it then...Having listened to Jim,my piano is straight into the Leeds-Liverpool canal first thing tomorrow morning. Never mind...lt only took me forty years to learn the damned thing....Wonder if my mate's still got his trailer!

[Squarerig]

Yet another outstanding performance by our eight-handed master of the keyboard!If only my brain would function at this speed and with your accuracy.Thank you for this really sparkling piece!

[Squarerig]

Yet another outstanding performance by our eight-handed master of the keyboard!If only my brain would work at the speed of your fingers-all forty of them!-Thank you so much for this sparkling piece.

[tdub1941]

Fabulous - Fabulous and more fabulous!

RagJazzMonkey Tom

[theelder987]

This G13 chord in the left hand at 2:56 is out of the style.. still a great job!

[BrasilianMusician]

Where can I find the music sheets of this music?

[Charlierosea]

Where? You can ask the guy what he's playin, sound like old rag time music, era about second world war time.

[HEADBANGING69]

I absolutely love this guy. Jim Hession needs to tour the world and play this for the world to hear. Please Jim go on tour you would moslt likely fill Madison Square garden!

[joeymanko]

Hey Jim: Why don't you consider entering the "Old Fashioned Piano Contest" in Peoria. It happens every Memorial Day weekend. I have competed for the last two years. I think you would do really well. Perhaps you could bring home the BIG prize!!

Check it out, just search for "old time piano contest". Joe Mankowski

[jazznbear]

Thank you Joe for the encouragement. I personally feel that full time professional musicians should leave the contests to talented and ambitious amateurs...more power to them.

I reached this conclusion many years ago when George Liberace asked me to enter his nationwide piano contest. After playing Waller and Morton I won special achievement but the winner was a guy who played Tiger Rag on a Hammond B3 with a brown bag over his head. That did it for me.

Best of luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!

[Akinon33]

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha A brown bag over his head!!! Excellent!

In any case, you don't need to enter any contests, you are brilliant and no mistake.

[eninstantes]

amazing!

[HEADBANGING69]

I just listened to this for the tenth time and I am still blown away by Jim. Like I said in previous statements I got a Masters Degree In music education. While in college I used to play Jelly Roll Morton and Especially James P Johnsons Caprice Rag all the time in the practice rooms. THe other students were like"What the heck are you playing?" THey were into classical why I was jamming out on Caprice Rag. LOL

I am a OFFICIALY A JIM HESSION FAN!

[jazznbear]

I spent many hours myself in the practice rooms at both UCSB and UCLA working out stride and Jelly Roll solos when I was suppose to be working on Beethoven's Pathetique and Appassionata Son of A Natas!

[HEADBANGING69]

Man Jim I would swear I was back in the 1920's listening to you play. You have really really got down the style of stride all the way!! That is why I love your playing so much. If you got in a time machine and went back James Johnson, Fats and Jelly Roll Would be in awe of YOU!

[Bill25cycle]

Hi Jim,  Just wondered if youve heard the 1930 take of JPJ's Jingles. Takes the basic Sheet Music which is still in print and (I gather that's what youre playing here), but in stead of the dah-dah-dah-dah in the third theme he starts of on the second note to jazz it up, as in, dit-dah-dit-dat-dit-dah-dah, and likewise for the next five measures. I think its a lot more fun then the way the SM is written, so if you'd like a copy, let me know. As for me, I'm looking for SM for harlem-hotcha

[EMMDS]

Man I really love this piece.Might you have the sheet music to it or where you got it?

[fakeblueeyess]

This is the best recording of a modern player playing stride piano I've ever heard. You are amazing!

[gadzooks63]

did art tatum ever get into stride?

[jazznbear]

YES! Check out Tatum's recording of "Get Happy" and "Elegy". There is enough stride in there to last you for a while. Tatum's idol was Fats Waller, even though he was only 6 years younger than Fats'. Tatum: "Fats, man,that's where I come from." Waller on Tatum: "God Is In The House."

[gadzooks63]

just punching and came upon this masterful player . .what skills . .probly started at age 5-6-7 . .what would fats waller think? . . . .piano not so mellow . has a tin ring to it . why?

[helmut4lyfe]

Great to hear another stride pianist :)

Take a look at my two stride works. "Avalon" and "There will be some changes made". I think you will enjoy them =)

[pianodan10]

Incredible, really. Thank you very much... It takes a real musician to devote his life to getting inside such a difficult style of playing. Just wondering, is there a particular piece you would recommend transcribing first get a foundation? It seems like this style requires your ears and fingers to figure it out... that reading it might be cheating yourself. Anyways, love to hear ya play, thanks a lot!

[jazznbear]

Thank you for your comments. I have found that the best way to learn these pieces is to combine the study of the printed score with attentive listening to a recorded performance, hopefully by the orig. artist. A major factor would be your level of pianistic ability....FYI the second half of this performance is improvised on the harmonic pattern of the trio section. Suggestion:try the Alligator Crawl by Fats Waller for starters. Best of luck!

[overainbows]

So amazing... I had to watch twice! GREAT!

Thank you so much for sharing!!!

[glennmiller2005]

I am a High School sax player studying this type of music personaly. I am very interested in the prewar dance music tradition. I like the styles of 20's chicago and Harlem of the 20's and 30's. Modernistic snobs ruin the honest emotion employed by these great musicians.

[HEADBANGING69]

I learned about stride piano in a Jazz History class in College. I heard a recording of Caprice Rag. It was played superfast by Dick Hyman. It blew my mind and I have loved stride ever since. YOu MY FRIEND RULE!!!!!

[jazznbear]

Glad you enjoy stride piano. It is a classic jazz style that can be approached from either the recreationist (note-for-note)standpoint or from the evolving/improvisational view,which I favor. I do play Johnson's Caprice Rag and there is a YouTube vid of an old friend,Dick Wellstood playing Caprice. Hyman, also an old friend, is a consummate pianist from whom I have learned a lot.

[HEADBANGING69]

That was just sick. How the heck do your hands keep going without falling off???!!!

[jazznbear]

I'm afraid that if my hands did fall off I would have to do something else for a living, so I always stop just in time!!!!!!!!!!!

[bmxgenie]

just great

[homerboy488]

How on earth could you NOT be invied to a jazz or ragtime festival. You are the greats reincarnated!

[jazznbear]

Thank you for the compliment.

[Summelduple]

That's great! I love James P. Johnson - ever since I was 6. That playing deserves a massive pat on the back! (maybe a long with a pay check) Especially for the incredible improvisational understanding of his playing. Do you know any good James. P Johnson books to buy? Can you recommend any licks, scales or arpeggios?

[jazznbear]

I really did not expect the amount of response and questions I would receive about playing stride piano. I started playing stride at 15 years old,primarily from listening to recordings of JPJ and Fats and figuring out what they were playing. Later on I was given printed material from collectors. I cannot underestimate the value of ear training in playing good stride piano.The folios are great but listening to the original performers, their sense of dynamics and inflections is essential.

[jazznbear]

Part 2 I have sent you a list of folios to your YouTube message center.

I am also considering doing some YouTube videos on the technique of stride piano and other early jazz piano styles. Let me know if you think this would be helpful.

[Summelduple]

That would be amazing! That'd be fantastic! Esepcially now as I'm learning Caroline shout. (And thank you very much for the folios.) If you could post some videos on the technique of stride you'd be helping a whole lot of aspiring stride pianists - especially me. Please, please do!

[jazznbear]

okay, I will give some serious thought as to how to approach teaching the various aspects of stride. I have taught jazz piano styles for many years, both privately and at the college level, and have found that many students did very well by combining their study of piano techniques with music theory and the development of ear training.

[joeymanko]

Hey Jim!

Absolutely GREAT!! This is the essence of what stride piano is! You have the feel and technique as good as I have ever heard.

Keep it up, you are an inspiration! As Fats would say "My Oh My"!! Best Wishes  JOE

[jazznbear]

Thank you,Joe....I still marvel at the smooth and effortless style of Waller and Johnson. They set the bar incredibly high!

[KingRat355]

Hey thanks for all your contributions to all of us who don't live in the US and can attend all these festivals and events of magnificent piano shows. I'm myself just an amateur ragtime player in Sweden but I also love Fats and of course James P Johnson.

[jazznbear]

As a professional pianist who makes a living playing jazz in all its forms I have been very gratified to see the interest in the early jazz styles. I have been very lucky to have worked with many of the originators of jazz and am delighted that people still care about the early music. Thank you for listening!

[joeymanko]

Jim, I still want to find out if I could get a copy of your version of Jingles. I compete at the yearly "Old Time Piano Championship" and I think your version would be a great asset to play.

JOE

[jazznbear]

Hey Joe,

I'm glad that you enjoy my version of Jingles.Besides the initial statements of the three sections, the entire piece (including key changes) is spontaneously improvised in the style of James P. Eubie Blake was always insisting that I write these "arrangements" down. The next time I play it, the choruses will probably be completely different. I have quite a few requests for transcriptions of my "renditions". Perhaps if the right publisher came along I would consider doing a folio.

[baloniousdunc]

great video- on the subject of teaching videos- I thought Dr.John did some great ones for homespun videos on New Orleans style piano. If you could do it for stride, that would be wonderful.

[jazznbear]

Thank you. I like your name; whenever we perform a Monk tune in the club in New Orleans I warn the audience that they are about to witness a "Thelonius Assault". Because of the amount of mail that I get about stride, we are giving some serious thought as to how to approach a teaching video.Thanks for your input.

[homerboy488]

WOW! Now THATS's piano playing.

[IK8isGR8I]

I had never heard of stride until last week. When i di a search for it yours was the only one that matched the intensity of the old recordings I heard. I opened a YouTube account just to tell you I think you are fabulous! I listened to this about 5 times in a row!

[jazznbear]

Thank you, I am glad that you enjoy my stride piano cuts. I am sure you will enjoy your Youtube account. In addition, be sure to listen to the stride pioneers (James P. Johnson, Willie the Lion Smith, Luckey Roberts, Fats Waller, and our mutual mentor, Eubie Blake). There are also excellent stride Youtube videos by Dick Hyman, Dick Wellstood and Ralph Sutton among others.

[IK8isGR8I]

Sorry I posted so many times. I was having a hard time getting it to work but I guess they all went through. The video mentions some people by name but not who is playing. If I can figure out how I will post it as a video reply.

[jazznbear]

We have found that the music search tool mashup, musictonic, can be helpful. It can often be found under the links at the video.

There is great stuff out there. Happy hunting!

[IK8isGR8I]

I actually didn't have a YouTube account until tonight when I signed up just to tell you how awesome I think your playing is. I had never heard stride until last week and was blown away. When I watched the results from a 'stride piano' search this is the only one that had the intensity of the old recording I had heard.

[jazznbear]

I appreciate the comment about the "intensity" of stride piano. Stride piano at its best is a strong, powerful, rhythmic style that swings and relies heavily on subtle use of precision and dynamics. Stride piano, like many styles of jazz, has its own "groove" and invites improvisation within the style.

[IK8isGR8I]

Hi! I am actually a student in an online jazz class right now. I have a DVD that I watch and in addition I have to do a little research on YouTube each week on a subject that corresponds to the time period that i learned about in the video. Well, last week I saw stride piano playing for the first time and was blown away by the intensity of it. I had never heard piano played like that before. I knew right away that I wanted to do my YouTube assignment on stride.

[jazznbear]

Thank you for your comments. Your on line jazz class sounds interesting...tell me about it and what is on the DVD. Perhaps I can make some observations.

[Squarerig]

Mr.Hession,the "Invisible Man" by H.G.Wells was no work of fiction.He is palying right alongside you!Unbelievable performance.Wonderful music.Thanks so much.

[susuemikado]

encore encore!

[mikeyg148abbey]

bravo!!

[ilistenalot]

I am not a musician but after 75 years or so of listening I know what I like in music. Mr.Johnson, Fats and the Count would all tip their hat to you sir,as do I. Thank you

[maycopar]

It makes me so happy to know someone this talented is alive.

[jazznbear]

Thank you! "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated" Mark Twain.

[bornwiththefunk]

Hi Jim,

nice surprise to meet you here. I'm pianist from Germany. Louis Ford was on tour with my band last year and he copied some of your music for me. A recording with Martha and you that I really enjoyed.

Great music! So, I just wanted to say hello here on youtube.

Take care,

Jan Luley

(Barrelhouse Jazzband)

[jazznbear]

Welcome aboard! Louis Ford is a good friend and phenomenal reed player.We always enjoy working with him!Glad you enjoyed our CD's; we are currently recording material for future CD's....Glad to meet you even on YouTube Jim and Martha

[tdub1941]

Jim,

I love your music!  Fantastic.

Do you travel to any rag or jazz fests?

RagJazzMonkey,

Tom Warner

[jazznbear]

Only when we are invited. Thank you for all your kind comments on the videos.

[solong36]

Great to hear you play again -- I listened to you a lot at Disneyland and the Grand Californian.. I'm still playing but will NEVER be THAT good... Stan Long

[jazznbear]

Is that you Stan? Long time (four years) since we left Disney. We have lived a lifetime (Katrina) since then. Hope you and your wife are doing well and that you are still playing that left hand tune of yours. Martha and I are busy playing and recording here in New Orleans-we really love it down here!

[solong36]

Yep - Its me and I still do.. looks like you are

having waaay too much fun !!

[jsteeber]

Jingles and Modernistic were two sides of the same solo piano disc, if memory serves. Such exciting playing. Your evenness is terrific. JS

[pianoyam]

the modulation to A I think? is incredible. the polyrythmic stuff is insane!!! James was a real father, wasn't he?

[jazznbear]

Thank you for your comments on JP Johnson cuts....He was known as the "father of stride piano". Jingles is in the key of F for the A&B sections, moves to Bflat for the trio with a "dog fight" on D7 andF7 to return to the trio; at this point I improvise the remaining choruses, modulating from Bflat to C to Eflat.

[pianoyam]

wow! great job! I wish i had that control over the key of "F". congrats.

what a left hand!

[thejetfive]

cool c'est bon

beau travail vieil homme !!!!

vraiment époustouflant !!!!

est ce que tu ptaiques souvent arce que wow c' est pas pire pantoute...

[jazznbear]

Thank you for your comment. I am a professional pianist who performs at least 25 hrs a week, usually more like 40 hrs. I practice when learning new material which I do often. This is all I have ever done for a profession so I have a lot of experience under my belt.