Chad Lefkowitz-Brown Solo Transcriptions

I am a huge fan of saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown.  I came across one of his videos on Instagram about a year ago and I've been following him ever since.

I recently purchased his book of 15 solo transcriptions by saxophonist and educator Ron Fix.  It's available in physical and digital form. It is fun to play through them and get some insight into how Chad thinks when he improvises.

Interestingly, this is the first transcription book I've ever seen that covers music solely from social media!  Every single one is freely available online on either Chad's YouTube or Instagram feed.

The digital version of the book comes with audio files you can play along to, but it doesn't include links to find each video online.  I combed through Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook to find each one.  That's what I want to share with you in this post so you can both watch and play along.  Happy practicing!

They are listed below in the order they appear in the book.

After you listen to these, be sure to check out more of  Chad LB's solos on AllSolos.com.

All The Things You Are

Instagram - November 9, 2016

It's now more important than ever to focus on love and compassion. Here's a chorus on All The Things You Are. For next week let's pick a tune with "Love" in the title. Some of the many possibilities... I Love You, Taking A Chance On Love, There Is No Greater Love.

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Nov 9, 2016 at 3:11pm PST

Body And Soul

YouTube - December 8, 2015

Caravan

Instagram - September 27, 2016

This week's Duke Ellington chorus on a standard vote went to Caravan. For next week, let's do Horace Silver! Some ideas: Nica's Dream, Sister Sadie, Song For My Father… Thanks for voting!! #caravan #dukeellington #horacesilver

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Sep 27, 2016 at 3:26pm PDT

Confirmation

Instagram - July 26, 2016

Week 3 chorus on a standard, here's the "winner" with the most votes on Instagram and Facebook - Confirmation. Thanks to everyone submitting requests! For next week, let's vote now picking between the second place finishers: 26-2, Donna Lee, Bye Bye Blackbird, and Cherokee. #confirmation #26-2 #donnalee #byebyeblackbird #cherokee #johncoltrane #charlieparker #chadlefkowitzbrown

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Jul 26, 2016 at 8:05am PDT

Driftin’

YouTube - February 26, 2014

For All We Know

YouTube - May 17, 2013

Get Lucky

YouTube - October 9, 2013

High High The Moon

Instagram - April 22, 2017

Warming up on How High The Moon (hotel volume) for the hit at Yale tonight with Adam O'Farrill and Stranger Days! @yale #yale #yaleuniversity #chadlefkowitzbrown

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Apr 22, 2017 at 2:13pm PDT

Melodic Cell Lines

Instagram - April 6, 2017

Shedding on melodic cells 🎷🤘

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Apr 6, 2017 at 3:54pm PDT

Nature Boy

YouTube - July 28, 2014

On The Sunny Side Of The Street

YouTube - February 16, 2015

Recorda Me

Instagram - August 24, 2016

Week 6 of a chorus (or a few) on a standard. This week's Joe Henderson vote went to Recordame. Next week let's do Wayne Shorter! Some ideas: Deluge, Footprints, Juju, Fee Fi Fo Fum... Thanks for voting!! #recordame #joehenderson #wayneshorter #chadlefkowitzbrown

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Aug 24, 2016 at 10:42am PDT

Sandu

YouTube - July 15, 2013

Struttin’ With Some Barbecue

Facebook - August 4, 2016
Instagram - August 6, 2016

Here's a video I posted on Facebook the other day of a Louis Armstrong tune called Struttin' with some Barbecue. #louisarmstrong #chadlefkowitzbrown

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Aug 6, 2016 at 2:22pm PDT

Take The A Train

YouTube - November 18, 2014

There Is No Greater Love

Instagram - November 16, 2016

This week's chorus on a standard, "There Is No Greater Love," from a dressing room at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank. Cameo from @bt0wnbr0wn. For next week let's do Dizzy Gillespie. A few ideas: Groovin' High, Night in Tunisia, Woody N' You... #chadlefkowitzbrown #dizzygillespie

A post shared by Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (@chadlbsax) on Nov 16, 2016 at 12:34pm PST

Brooklyn Jazz Underground

Trombonist Alan Ferber and his bassist friend Alexis Cuadrado started the Brooklyn Jazz Underground just over a year ago. Is has recently been getting some press. From their website:

The Brooklyn Jazz Underground is an association of independent bandleaders with a shared commitment to improvised music. Through cooperative effort, members of the BJU strive to create greater awareness of their work.

I miss the days that Mark and Alan Ferber lived in LA and I could regularly go see them perform. I am really happy, though, to see them thriving on the New York jazz scene.

You can visit the Brooklyn Jazz Underground on MySpace.

Mike Stern at Catalina

Tonight we went to see Mike Stern and his quartet at Catalina Bar & Grill which featured Dennis Chambers, Bob Franceschini and Victor Wooten. I saw Mike Stern's group 15 years ago in Santa Monica when he was playing with the late Bob Berg. They were amazing then, and are still amazing now.

Tonight was the last show of his 6-day stint in Los Angeles and the club was totally packed with enthusiastic fans. I had no idea so many people in Los Angeles would show up for this show. It was great to see since often, amazingly talented and famous jazz musicians pass through LA and are greeted by embarrassingly small audiences. I guess Mike Stern appeals to both jazz and rock fans.

This was the first time I saw Victor Wooten and Bob Franceschini live. Wooten, of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones fame, was practically the highlight of the night. During one of his solos, he played inspiring renditions of The Christmas Song and Go Tell It On The Mountain. Franceschini was good, but in my opinion, he didn't compare to other sax players that I've heard Mike Stern with like Bob Berg and Michael Brecker.

I haven't seen many good jazz shows in recent years, so it was great to finally make it out and see some of the best musicians in the world.