Coursera Jazz Improv Course Homework Tracks

This is my playing a solo on the changes for "What Is This Thing Called Love" for the Jazz Improv course I'm taking (taught by Gary Burton) on coursera.

After eight years away from the horn, and only four months back, I'm pretty happy, but you should hear some of my classmates! Some solid stuff out there... 

What Is This Thing Called Love -- Solo Only (3 Choruses)

This is the homework for week 2 of the Coursera Jazz Improv course I'm taking: the assignment is to play six scales/modes and improvise on them. I've labeled the modes/scales in comment form along the track. 

I also made a private challenge to myself to use the altissimo range in every scale and every improv, since I'm fighting to master that range and to make it useful in improvisations. I'm new to altissimo, so that's essentially insane, but I figured I might as well push my boundaries a little more. :) Therefore please pardon the occasional squeak or rustiness up top.

Also, I'm having issues with my recording equipment, so there are some weird things, like a phaser-effect sounding thing near the end, which I can't explain -- there's no phaser, so I'm not sure what's causing it. 

Week 2 Assignment: Modes/Scales and Improvisations

The head and a few choruses of solo on Chick Corea's tune, "500 Miles High." This is homework for a jazz improv course I'm taking on Coursera. 

Still learning tricks on mixing the sax and backing track; this was the best I've managed so far.

500 Miles High (Coursera Jazz Improv Course, Week 3 Homework)

This is one of two versions of Keith Jarrett's Memories of Tomorrow submitted for homework for the Coursera Intro to Jazz Improv course taught by Gary Burton. In this version,  I play with a softer, gentler sound. I was thinking Stan Getz, but I seem to have gotten something more like smooth jazz.

Memories of Tomorrow -- Gentler Version

My second attempt at the song. Figured I'd take a hint from Sonny Rollins and try play the tune with more guts and fire, to ward off some of that overpowering sweetness. I'm happy with the result. Now I want my "What Would Sonny Rollins Do?" T-shirt. :)

Week 2 Assignment: Modes/Scales and Improvisations

Gord Sellar