Info and Resources for Jazz Musicians and Jazz Lovers
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If you’re a practitioner of jazz or simply one of those wonderful, valued listeners whose appreciation for the art inspires players like me to keep playing, this page and its sub-pages are for you. In them, I hope to guide you toward resources that can help you develop as an improviser or deepen your pleasure in listening.
I’m not a university-level saxophone professor. However, after over forty years of sticking with the horn, I’ve got a few things to share.
Private Jazz Improvisation Coaching for All Wind Instrument Players
Call or email me for lessons if you live in the Grand Rapids/Hastings, Michigan, area. Whether you play sax, trumpet, flute, or any other woodwind or brass instrument, I’ll be happy to work with you. Since I live in an apartment, I’ll need to come to you; therefore, a distance fee may apply depending on your location.
Hire Me
Looking for a standout jazz combo for your dinner club, wedding reception, or special event? Need a sax man for your gig, concert, or recording project? Contact me by email or telephone.
LIVE JAZZ CUSTOM-FIT FOR YOUR SETTING
Choose a format that’s tailored for your space and budget requirements:
♦ Duo ♦ Trio ♦ Standard Quartet ♦ Quintet or More
I draw on a pool of top jazz talent in West Michigan to ensure that you receive glowing compliments on the music. And since I sing as well as play the sax, you get added value for your money.Samples of My Playing
One for Daddy-O (minor blues–video)
The Summer Knows (jazz ballad–video)
Giant Steps(classic Coltrane changes–audio)
“Bob’s playing is soulful, inspired, and heartfelt, and every time I sing with him, I feel that we have a most wonderful musical conversation. I wish I could play with him all the time!” — Francesca Amari, vocalist, national cabaret artist, recording artist
“High tech; high touch. I’ve played with a wide variety of players and styles over the years. Artists like Bob are matchless and superb.” — Ed Englerth, singer-songwriter, recording artist, owner of BlueSideDown Studios
“Bob is the kind of musician everybody wants on their gig. He has great chops and the taste to know when to use them. Plus, he’s easygoing and fun to play with!” — Wright McCargar, keyboard player, music director for the Grand Rapids Civic Theater
“It’s always good to see Bob walk in on your gig. He brings a cheerful disposition, and when he starts to play, there’s no missing the soulfulness tempered by a full knowledge of the music. People stop talking and start listening.”—Bob Van Stee, keyboard player
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Audio Clips
NOTE: If you’re considering me for your club or special event, please check out my Videos page for samples that will probably fit your interests better than some of the following material. I recommend the second and third video clips featuring my “basement tapes” of “The Summer Knows” and “One for Daddy-O.”
Gospel Sax
Here are a couple sax/piano duets that I recorded with my friend, keyboardist Paul Lesinski, in October, 2010. A fun, quick-‘n-dirty session, with just first takes on both tunes.
Amazing Grace My theme song–the one I first played in church three decades ago and still never get tired of.
Sanctuary A bit overplayed, but I’m my own worst critic, and there some nice moments.
Jazz
Original material by Ric Troll recorded on November 22, 2010, at Tallmadge Mill with Ric (guitar), Dave DeVos (bass), and Randy Marsh (drums). We’d been feeling our way into these tunes, and that night they were starting to gel.
The New Hip (© Ric Troll)
The Urge (© Ric Troll)
Orcs (© Ric Troll)
Orcs, take 2 (© Ric Troll)
The Giant Steps Scratch Pad
Plenty of resources are available on the theory of Coltrane changes, but to the best of my knowledge, this is the first book ever created to help you actually practice John Coltrane’s benchmark tune. Read more about it here.
The Giant Steps Scratch Pad comes in standard-key editions for C, Bb, Eb, and bass clef instruments, and now also in all 12 keys in the new Giant Steps Scratch Pad Complete. Standard-key editions are available both in print and as a PDF download; the Complete edition is available as a PDF download only.
Single-key instant PDF downloads, 32 pages, $9.50
C edition
Bb edition
Eb edition
Bass clef edition
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Giant Steps Scratch Pad Complete instant PDF download, 252 pages, $21.95
All 12 keys in treble clef.
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Standard-key print editions–retail quality with full-color cover, $10.95 plus shipping: order here through Lulu.com.
