8 Latin Jazz Patterns

Very early in the 20th century, Jelly Roll Morton spoke about “that Latin tinge” in American music. Today, more and more Latin American elements are present in contemporary music around the world. Articulation is a very important factor in those ‘south of the border’ rhythms. With this books you can exercise your instrumental technique in all keys while becoming familiar with some of those patterns as they apply to the modern jazz language.

I recommend to begin practicing these exercises slowly. Gradually speed up, but only to the point that you can play them with clarity and artistry. As the great virtuoso saxophone-clarinetist, Al Gallodoro, wisely remarks, “every single note has a meaning”. Remember that music is an art and not a sport. Great artists make hard passaged seem and sound easy, and not the other way around. Otherwise, it’s a circus!

Muchas Gracias, Paquito D’Rivera