Jon Shields

  The Story Behind the Picture That Speaks Volumes: John Lee Hooker’s Legacy If you’ve tuned into my Tune Tuesdays or Theory Thursdays , you’ve probably noticed a certain portrait hanging on my wall. It’s a striking image of one of the most influential blues musicians of all time: John Lee Hooker. Today, let’s take a deeper look at why I keep this picture close and the incredible history behind it. This portrait, taken in 1951, is more than just a piece of art. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time when jazz and blues were beginning to be recognized for their significance and roots. The photo was taken at the Music Inn in Massachusetts, during a groundbreaking event known as the “Round Table.” Hosted by the Barbers, the owners of the Music Inn, this event gathered legendary African-American musicians to explore the origins of jazz, blues, and the intersection of these influential genres. At this roundtable, John Lee Hooker, a brilliant blues guitarist and singer, was at the forefron...

  Tune Tuesday: Blue in Green – A Jazz Classic with a Controversial Legacy Good morning, and welcome to another Tune Tuesday ! Today, we’re diving into a song from one of the most iconic albums in jazz history: Blue in Green from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue . Released in 1959, this album changed the landscape of jazz and is still the best-selling jazz album of all time. But Blue in Green has a story that’s as murky as the bluesy depths of the song itself. Who Really Wrote Blue in Green ? One of the most intriguing aspects of Blue in Green is the debate surrounding who actually wrote the tune. Miles Davis famously claimed credit for writing all of the songs on Kind of Blue , but Blue in Green has been shrouded in uncertainty. Bill Evans, the brilliant pianist who played on the album, also said he wrote the piece. In his autobiography, Miles Davis says that Blue in Green was entirely his composition, but Evans’ take was different. According to interviews and Evans’ own writings, ...

  How to Bring Out Chord Changes in Your Guitar Solos One of the most powerful ways to elevate your solos is by bringing out the chord changes . If you're looking to add complexity and nuance to your playing, learning how to play inside the chord changes, rather than simply over them, is key. But what does that mean, exactly? Today, let's dive into the concept of playing inside the changes —a technique that will not only make your solos more engaging, but also help you connect better with the harmonic structure of the song. We’ll use the classic jazz standard "All of Me" as an example to break it down. What Does It Mean to Play Inside the Changes? When we say "play over the changes," we're referring to using a scale—like a pentatonic scale or a major scale—over the entire chord progression without paying special attention to the individual chords. It’s a simple way to solo, and while it can sound fine, it often lacks the richness and complexity that co...

  Tune Tuesday: But Beautiful – A Timeless Jazz Standard Good morning and welcome to another Tune Tuesday ! Today, we’re diving into one of the most beautifully composed ballads in the jazz repertoire: But Beautiful . Written by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke, this 1947 classic has captivated audiences for decades with its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics. Whether you’re a jazz lover or a guitar enthusiast, But Beautiful offers something special for everyone. A Classic Introduced by Bing Crosby But Beautiful was first introduced in 1947 in the movie Road to Rio , starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. The song, which was featured as part of the film’s soundtrack, instantly became a memorable piece thanks to Crosby’s smooth delivery. Its elegant and evocative melody, paired with Johnny Burke’s poignant lyrics, quickly made the tune a hit. But the story doesn’t end there. A year after the song's release, Frank Sinatra recorded his own version in 1948, which went on t...