Aquas De Marco – Antonio Carlos Jobim – Brent Edstrom Arr.
Another smooth Brent Edstrom arrangement, from the Bossa Nova don Antonio Carlos Jobim. Good for Grade 7, or brave Grade 6 players.
Elissa Milne – Indigo Moon
Really nice B list pick from ABRSM, Elissa Milne is a favourite of mine in the studio, she has a great selection of books for all abilities. This one is a smooth, understated jazzy piece, from the book Pepperbox Jazz Vol.2.
A Ballad – Gerry Mulligan – Arr. Brent Edstrom.
Slick, tasteful jazz ballad in C major, arranged by Brent Edstrom. From the collection ”Late Night Jazz” – Jazz Piano Solos Volume 27. Published by Hal Leonard.
Georgia On My Mind – Hoagy Carmichael – Arr. Brent Edstrom
An absolute classic standard, this version is from the Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Solos – Cocktail Piano. Lots of tenths in the LH, and some interesting jazz rhythmic figures in the RH, a strong knowledge of F major is advised for this one.
Bill Evans – Never Let Me Go (Simplified)
This a truncated version of his awesome 15 minute long version that closes ”Alone”. Suitable for Grade 7, with some challenging rhythmic elements, extended held notes, and rich harmony. This one was found online somewhere, and should be searchable.
Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah – Arr. Brent Edstrom for solo piano
Relaxing, sombre jazz waltz on the Leonard Cohen classic. Grade 6.
Isfahan – Duke Ellington – Arr. Brent Edstrom
Another one from the Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Solos series, this is one of my favourite standards, an exotic, warm Arabian ballad from the master, Duke Ellington. Lots of complex chordal harmony, tenths in the left hand, but reasonably paced and pianistic. Grade 7.
Sergei Bortkiewicz – 6 Pensées Lyriques, Op.11 – No.2 – Sostenuto Assai
Bortkiewicz was somewhat cruelly forgotten by music history, but he is a fantastic composer for fans of Chopin, Liszt, and early Scriabin without descending to the levels of technical difficulty that those composers demand. This one feels like a gentle, hands reversed version of Chopin’s famous Prelude No.4 in E minor Op. 28. This one is also available in PDF format on IMSLP
Christopher Norton – Latin Prelude No.2
From the book Christopher Norton – Latin Preludes. Reasonably straightforward piece with some left hand jumping patterns, and a syncopated rhythm in the right hand to master
Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars – Antonio Carlos Jobim – Arr. Brent Edstrom
Smooth Bossa Nova from the Hal Leonard ”Jazz Piano Solos” collection Vol. 15 – Bossa Nova Arr. Brent Edstrom. Fairly basic right hand work here, just some four note chord textures and tenths in the LH. Straddles Grade 5 to 6.
Waltz for Debbie – Bill Evans – Arr. Brent Edstrom
From the Hal Leonard ”Jazz Piano Solos” Series Volume 19 – Bill Evans, arr. Brent Edstrom. Not too tricky this one, some double thirds in the RH melody, and some tenth movement in the left hand, and a few moments of three/four note chord movement at quaver speed. Great for Grade 6.
Michael Peacock Piano 