Improvisation
Michael Brecker on one’s individual sound
A friend sent me a link to a YouTube video with Michel Brecker talking about different topics as part of what looked
Frank Rosolino ‘sheds’ Round Midnight and Invitation with Lou Levy
This very rare recording is truly a treasure. It was shared with me by Barry Kierce who received it years ago from Rick
Musicians: getting over stage fright
Richie Beirach and I are about to release our new book called Teaching and Learning Jazz. As a promotion for the book’s

It’s all about your time
A LOT of you have taken advantage of my offer to sign up for Pocket Jazz for free. Some have come back
Quick and easy jazz improvisation?
A marketing email hit my inbox last Thursday. It was promising the benefits of their special way of memorizing and practicing licks,
Transforming TikTok into an online course
Pocket Jazz is coming. I am finishing up transforming the nearly 70 TikTok videos I produced earlier this year into an online
Memorization for jazz solos?
A sax player eager to improve his improvisation skills reached out to me yesterday. He’s frustrated. He’s unsure of how to continue

Michael Lake
Jazz/latin trombone, author, multimedia artist, marketer
Getting over your guilt of not practicing enough
No, this is not a post assuring you that you don’t really need to practice in order to become a better player. To get better
Michael Brecker on one’s individual sound
A friend sent me a link to a YouTube video with Michel Brecker talking about different topics as part of what looked like a panel

Summer reading ideas
Summer, for many, is a time to slow down and recharge the batteries. Everyone has a different means of recharging – travel and vacations chief