NickD

Ok,

I am essentially a student jazz player. I've been a lead player for many years, but last summer, I finally got a real bug up.... well, let's just say my drive to improve my jazz playing escalated.

I agree with every word posted so far. I am adding to them with the above disclaimer. I would never hold myself out as some sort of jazz hot shot. I am just trying learn this art. So, I offer these ideas with great humility.

I have found that playing tunes I KNOW in all keys completely by ear really helps. I'll just sit down and run a tune around the cycle of fourths as a warm up. Doing this has an added side benefit. It will help you with work. When I play gigs we rarely have charts or even lead sheets for standards, and if there is a singer on the gig, it is REALLY up for grabs. I have to be able to play any tune in any key when the band leader points at me. So, this sort of practice has practical side effects.

I'd also take the time to learn old horn licks to old rock and R&B tunes. It will help with jobbing and give some extra ammo for ideas.

There is another exercise the SEEMS to help me (I can't really be the judge). I have always marveled at my jazz instructors (the late Joe Daley and the amazing Richie Corpolongo) ability to just play a tune and blow on it COMPLETEY UNACCOMPANIED and hold it together in time and harmony. Richie will play a tune a capella, go inside and outside of the changes and never miss a beat. So, I figured if I am ever to be able to call myself a real jazz player, I'd better learn this. I've been doing blues and rhythm changes around the cycle with a metronome. I also work on some more transparent standards and jazz standards he same way. It is a gradual process for me, but it does help on gigs when I get to play in the original key.

I hope this helps a bit, FWIIW coming from me.

Peace.

ND