Intros and endings have always been something that fascinate me. That being said, I’m not that amazing at designing good ones that enhance the music we play in jazz. When I found out about The Real Intros and Endings Book by Tony Corman (published by Sher Music Co.), I was eager to see how it could help my own arranging and playing.
At 100 pages, this book is a well curated collection of classic intros and ending from the culture of jazz that is often played but not documented in this manner. I still remember as a young musician, the first time I jammed All The Things You Are, and how I was lost when the band played the classic intro to that tune.
Over the years of playing with different musicians, bands, sessions, projects – it became obvious to me that the musicians I admire knew many of these classic intros and endings. In addition to that they were often made up such cool introductions and endings on the spot. This was something that I tried my best to emulate and study, especially when I arranged tunes for larger ensembles or more fixed arrangement settings.
Tony Corman via this book has done such a great service to musicians who want to get deeper into this aspect of the artform. The book is organized into four concise sections:
- Some Standard Devices
- Standard Session Tunes Intros and Endings
- Charlie Parker Intro and Endings
- More Inspiration
What makes this resource stand out is the context Corman provides for each example, explaining its origins alongside clear notation (ranging from piano staves to full concert-key lead/harmony arrangements). Plus, the accompanying listening playlist is invaluable for getting these sounds in your ears before taking them to the bandstand.
Some of my fave familiar examples in the book include the classic Getz and Gilberto Intro for The Girl From Ipanema and the beautiful famous intro for ‘Round Midnight.
All in all, the book is a unique resource in the world of jazz and gives arrangers and performers a wonderful starting point to get better at this. If you’re an educator (of any instrument, or if you teach arranging), this book definitely deserves a place in your classes to help your students.
Congrats to Tony Corman and Sher Music for this amazing release.
Pros: A great resource, well researched and superbly organized.
Cons: This is not a step-by-step beginner theory manual – it requires basic ability to read notation/lead sheets.
TLDR: If you’re an arranger or performer, this book should be a valuable reference for you to develop a wider range of ideas for your arrangements and performances.
Get the book and eBook versions here directly from Sher Music Co: https://www.shermusic.com/products/the-real-intros-and-endings-book
Many thanks to Chuck Sher for sending me a copy of this amazing book for this review. I deeply appreciate it.
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