- Newly commissioned pieces by Chris Batchelor, Pete Churchill, John Crawford, Nikki Iles, Liam Noble, Pete Rosser, and Jonathan Taylor
- First piano part suitable for pianists at intermediate level (approx. ABRSM Grades 4-6); second part for teachers or more advanced students
- Wide range of styles, including Latin, gospel, rock, township jazz, and swing
- Optional improvisation sections, with guide pitches, for simple solos and playing by ear
- Stylish foot-tapping grooves, with recorded demos and backing tracks to support learning
- Edited and recorded by pianist Nikki Iles, celebrated jazz educator and performer, and advisor to ABRSM
Grooves for Two is a collection of seven groovy pieces for piano four-hands, written by leading pianist-composers working in jazz and other popular styles. Designed for teacher-pupil duos, the pieces provide foot-tapping fun while exploring rhythmic styles often reserved for bands, encouraging good ensemble playing and a strong sense of beat. To heighten the creativity, the collection includes optional improvisation sections, and a CD of demo performances and practice backing-tracks. This is piano-duet playing at its coolest...
Forces or Category
Piano duets (4 hands)
Difficulty
Easy
Nikki Iles (b.1963)
Pianist and composer Nikki Iles was a founder member of the Creative Jazz Orchestra - working with Anthony Braxton, Mike Gibbs, Vince Mendoza, and Mark-Anthony Turnage. Her busy freelance career has found her playing with Peter Erskine (CJO), Kenny Wheeler, Art Farmer, Julian Argüelles, Stan Sulzmann, Norma Winstone, Tony Coe, Tina May, and Rufus Reid. Her music has been commissioned and performed also by the London Sinfonietta and Tim Garland's Underground Orchestra. A committed educator, Nikki is senior lecturer at Middlesex University, visiting professor at the Guildhall School of Music, Royal Academy, and Trinity College of Music, London, and an adviser to ABRSM. She holds a British Jazz Award (1996), an award from the International Association for Jazz Education (2002), and was twice nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Award. 'A formidable UK jazz presence' - John Fordham, The Guardian
Contents:
Chris Batchelor: Afloat
Jonathan Taylor: In the Pocket
Nikki Iles: Hipster
Pete Rosser: Middle and Off
John Crawford: Club del Campesino
Pete Churchill: Road to the Prairie
Liam Noble: Sideways