Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 248
•
Trim: 6 x 9
978-1-4422-6703-9 • Paperback • September 2018 • $47.00 • (£36.00)
978-1-4422-6704-6 • eBook • September 2018 • $44.50 • (£35.00)
Eli Yamin is an internationally presented pianist, composer, educator, and singer. He is the cofounder and managing and artistic director of Jazz Power Initiative, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ignite the power of jazz arts education to transform lives by fostering self-expression, leadership, collaboration, and diversity. Yamin is also the founding director of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy, leading its first decade. Yamin has performed in over twenty-five countries and in the United States at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. He teaches jazz and blues history, piano, and voice at Lehman College, City University of New York, and Marymount Manhattan College.
Chapter 1 – Origins of the Blues
Chapter 2 – Singing and Voice Science, Scott McCoy
Chapter 3 – Vocal Health for the Blues Singer, Wendy LeBorgne
Chapter 4 – The Magic and Mechanics of Blues Singing, Darrell Lauer with Eli Yamin
Chapter 5 – Developing Authentic Style Characteristics: Early Blues Women
Chapter 6 – Developing Authentic Style Characteristics: Early Blues Men and Another Woman
Chapter 7 – Developing Authentic Style Characteristics: Chicago Blues and the Modern Blues Vocal Sound
Chapter 8 – Making a Soulful Sound and Writing Your Own Blues
Chapter 9 – Using Audio Enhancement Technology, Matthew Edwards
Those looking to truly embody the blues style will make extensive use of the numerous recordings available on the companion website that accompany these chapters. Yamin has considerable experience as both a blues performer and a blues educator. So You Want to Sing the Blues shows his deep investment in honoring the history of the genre and provides encouragement and a reliable blueprint for carrying the genre forward. -- Brian Manternach
— Classical Singer Magazine
This installment of the series So You Want to Sing offers insight into the style, history, and technique of this quintessential American genre. . . . .For singers who are interested in learning the characteristics and style of the blues, this volume provides an accessible avenue.
— Journal of Singing
Blues was born in the United States but many people don’t know how important it is to our musical and cultural heritage. Eli Yamin’s book is a perfect guide for teachers of singing and singers, introducing them to an authentic understanding of blues and of singing it in a healthy way straight from the heart.
— Jeanie LoVetri, The Voice Workshop, Singing Voice Specialist
This wonderful book takes a comprehensive and informative look at the blues, serving as a guide to singing the blues and keeping a healthy voice. And it’s fun to read! Thank you, Eli Yamin, for your love and vast knowledge of this important American art form.
— Catherine Russell, Grammy-winning Contemporary Jazz & Blues vocalist and recording artist
If you want to sing the blues, this is the first book I recommend. Along with detailed notes on technique and vocal health when singing the blues, Eli Yamin’s depth of knowledge and passion brings the rich history of the blues to life for the reader.
— Sharon Burch, Managing Director and Education Consultant, Jazz Education Network