bigtiny

Play alongs, especially for people learning and practicing improvisation are an invaluable resource. They are NOT the only resource that should be used, and your point about the fact that the recordings can't react and interact with the player is well taken.

However, the ability to play tunes repeatedly and improvise over the chord changes provides a context within which one can improve as an improviser. That's basically how jazz players have always learned, it's just that in the past there were MANY more places where musicians congregated and played, therefore one could get the chance to play the tunes at these various sessions.

I would reiterate though, that playing with these recordings (practicing with them) MUST be done with the knowledge that there are 'fine' musical skills which cannot be exercised through their use -- ensemble playing, interacting with other players in subtle ways (phrasing, etc.). These are things that can only be polished by playing with other live musicians.

bigtiny