Chuck Israels' "Jazz Arrangements of Public Domain Songs" just released!

Chuck Israels and I have been working on this book for 6 months or so and I have to say I've gotten tremendous pleasure out of helping the other Chuck put his book in final form. What initially attracted me was an audio file he sent, his arrangement of "School Days." You can hear this and a bunch of other sample songs at https://www.shermusic.com/9780991077373.php. The feeling his group generated was something completely different than my normal emotional reaction to a new jazz piece. First, I was really impressed by the great playing of all concerned, especially trumpeter Charlie Porter. And then I realized that it evoked something like nostalgia in me --- not really for the past, but rather for the feelings of wistfulness, a childlike sense of simplicity and a feeling of homecoming somehow. Hard to put in words, but take a listen and you might see for yourself what I mean. Then watch the video of "Shenandoah," and be amazed at how Chuck Israels gives new life to this classic folk song. Jazz is a big tent and it just got bigger with the inclusion of a whole bunch of new vehicles for improvising. Enjoy! - Chuck Sher