Anyone know a jazz song for a beginner violinist?

Question

I haven't been playing violin for too long and I would like to find some jazz music to play. Also I'm pretty new to jazz music.

Answer 1

it would be nice if the previous answerer had actually directed you in the way of some jazz music that actually prominently features violin. to that end, in roughly chronological order of the inception of their careers during the past century (and this one, for that matter), be sure to investigate:

1. Stephane Grappelli (both solo and with Django Reinhardt)- string jazz, swing. Grappelli is the archetypal jazz violinst.

2. LeRoy Jenkins- avant garde.

3. Michael White- avant garde, but more accessible than either Jenkins or Aebi (next entry).

4. Irene Aebi- avant garde.

5. Jerry Goodman- fusion.

6. Jean-Luc Ponty- fusion.

7. Regina Carter- post-bop.

there are, of course, others, but these are the first seven that come to mind quickly. you can learn more about any of these folks at allmusic.com (as a starting point, at least). take care, and enjoy!

(edit): there's a really good chance that if you live in a larger town, that your public library will have recordings by either Grappelli or Reinhardt, possibly even by Goodman (as a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra), Ponty and/or Carter.

Answer 2

Learn "Black Orpheus"! That is a jazz standard that the violin is often heard on and it shouldn't be terribly challenging for you to learn. Find recordings of it (doesn't necessarily have to be violin... the Ray Brown Trio has a CD called Black Orpheus where Ray Brown, the bassist, is featured on the melody of the title song) and try to learn the melody by ear. That way you will be able to play it with inflections that other jazz musicians might use, you will have it memorized as soon as you learn it, and you will begin to get a feel for the music in general. Since you are a beginner at jazz I can't think of a better way to learn than to begin transcribing. Black Orpheus is a great place to start. Good luck.  

Answer 3

goodbye porkpie hat...from several jazz musicians...charles mingus..jeff beck...stanley clarke