Javier Arau

Javier Arau on front cover of New York Times business section, Saturday, June 30, 2012

Javier Arau on front cover of New York Times business section, Saturday, June 30, 2012. Here’s a screen capture!

screen capture from nytimes.com

Where has Javier been?

Hi Everyone, I’ve been a bit busy with some huge projects, and I’ve neglected this corner of the web. You can see some of my work at nyjazzacademy.com, my music school in NYC, which has been developing like crazy over the past few years. We are even launching an online curriculum very soon, which will help all those who are really wanting to learn more about jazz improvisation, arranging, composition, and more. We can’t wait to show this to everyone. My big band, Javier Arau Jazz Orchestra, has also been rehearsing a ton, and I hope to get the group recorded soon. This might start sounding like a Christmas letter to everyone, but here are a couple exciting developments in recent months: I have signed on as an artist endorser for Virtuoso Saxophones, a killer new saxophone that I’ve been playing extensively. It is ridiculously better than other horns out there today. Wowee. Other artists endorsing it include Chris Potter, Joe Lovano, Wayne Escoffery, George Garzone, Eddie Daniels, and more. Wow. I’ll try to get pics up soon. I also was asked to adjudicate the MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) National Chamber and Solo Woodwind National Finals in NYC this past March. This was the same competition I won way back when (1997), and I was honored to be back with MTNA, this time as a judge. I heard some ridiculously talented saxophonists the three days I judged. Writing is going very well, playing is going strong, and I’m looking forward to updating some of my online content. I’ve got several hundred pages of Augmented Scale Theory and Jazz Improv material that I’ve got to get online. More soon…

Javier Arau Jazz Orchestra Premieres “This Life, Affected” [VIDEO]

My band, the Javier Arau Jazz Orchestra, played the Tea Lounge Size Matters Series again on May 7, 2012. It was a successful concert and included a couple premieres, including “This Life, Affected,” posted here. Enjoy!

New York Jazz Academy Classic Jazz All-Stars, New Orleans Funeral Band, Perform on CNBC

My band, the New York Jazz Academy Classic Jazz All-Stars, a New Orleans Funeral Band, performed on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” today. This is the same group that was broadcast playing Walter Cronkite’s Funeral last summer. For more information about the band and bookings, visit http://nyjazzacademy.com/forhire.php. To see a short clip from the CNBC show, click here.

Personnel for the Classic Jazz All-Stars included the following:
Javier Arau, clarinet
Kevin Louis, cornet
Joe Beaty, trombone
Pete Zimmer, snare drum
Ben Stapp, tuba

also featuring NYJA students
Fred Johnson, trumpet
Bob Cody, tenor sax
Annette St. John, parasol
Shani Clayton, parasol

Giant Steps Exercises 1 – Augmented Scale Theory

These exercises assume the reader has already checked the introductory paper on Augmented Scale Theory. If you have not read the paper, feel free to do so here. If you are ready to start with the exercises, go for it! I have also included this set of Giant Steps exercises as PDF downloads in F, C, and E-flat. Have you tried these other exercises, too? If AST is still confusing, I’m constantly working on getting more material online. Stay tuned, and feel free to join my free mailing list for updates. Fill out the form here. I also offer lessons, both in NYC and via webcam, if you would really like to pursue AST with me.

Download Giant Steps Exercises 1 in E-flat Major (concert key)

Download Giant Steps Exercises 1 in F Major (for B-flat instruments)

Download Giant Steps Exercises 1 in C Major (for E-flat instruments)

Augmented Scale Theory

“Javier’s Jelly and Jam Session” CD makes the perfect holiday gift! Now available on iTunes

“Javier’s Jelly and Jam Session”
A collection of songs by Javier Arau
Now available on iTunes!
This CD makes the perfect holiday stocking stuffer.