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Anyone Can Learn to Play Jazz & Improvise!

In The Beginning

While helping at a workshop in Connecticut in 1966, a student asked Jamey to record a reel-to-reel tape of piano accompaniment and send it to him so he could have something to practice with. In Jamey's words, "I never did make the tape, but instead made a record in 1967. This became the first Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long, Volume 1.

After I recorded the music, I realized that I needed a book to help the user make sense of the LP of background music. Hence the book, which has now been revised many times. Volume 1 first appeared in 1967 and has been a best seller ever since. I never thought there would be a need for a second volume, let alone over 100!"

Now, for 50 years, the name Jamey Aebersold has been literally synonymous with the very best in jazz education materials. A world-class performer and a very charismatic teacher/lecturer who has traveled the globe giving seminars and workshops, Jamey's lifelong mission is to teach people how to play jazz and improvise.

Volume 1 has been revised 6 times and is available in 6 languages! It is literally the #1 selling item from the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Catalog (jazzbooks.com) every year and continues to help thousands of people learn jazz and most importantly, learn to improvise!

Take a closer look at Volume 1 including sample pages and MP3's!

Below was Jamey's 1st Circulated Ad for Volume 1, however, the very first ad was a tiny classified ad in Downbeat Magazine; in the classified section.

The Famous "Aebersold" "A" Logo

The official Jamey Aebersold Jazz logo, recognized by jazz enthusiasts all over the globe, has been stamped on every publication and advertising piece that bears the Jamey Aebersold name. Check out this rendition by Joyce Plank created over 40 years ago.

The Future Of Jamey Aebersold Jazz and jazzbooks.com

Today, we publish and sell the world's most complete selection of jazz education materials. Most all are and hand-picked and approved by Jamey himself! For 50 years, Jamey Aebersold Jazz has been providing the very best in jazz education ... and we plan to continue jazz education for another 50 years!