This is the arrangement I did of "My Ideal" that I played for my mini-concert, which I have continued working on.

I know it's not exactly improvising, but I really enjoy writing solo vibes arrangements. It's like writing for a band that I can always have on call to rehearse!

What are the best books out there for this? I think I recall that Ed Saindon is writing one. Any others I should know about?

Feedback welcome, as ever.

Bobby Hutcherson, born in 1941 is widely considered
one of the pioneers of jazz vibraphone. His background in jazz began with
his older brother Teddy, who would play Art Blakey records in their family
home. Hutcherson’s first experience with vibraphone was at the age of 12
when he witnessed Milt Jackson perform with Thelonious Monk, Percy
Heath, Kenny Clarke, and Miles Davis. Bobby Hutcherson was known to
play the vibraphone with only two mallets, something that was becoming
less common at the time. Fast forward a couple of years and Bobby began

I found this old TV series called Frankly Jazz with host Frank Evans, and it appears to be late fifties or early sixties. Paul Horn was a Hollywood studio player during that time following a stint in the Chico Hamilton Quintet, and his recording groups included vibraphone. Paul Horn recorded with both Lynn Blessing and Emil Richards, and in this video he is with Larry Bunker.

Malletech LN2R Mallet review - you should get some!

Since my wife and I first moved into the same Brooklyn loft apartment in 1993 I have either been blissfully ignorant or hyper-aware of the sound of my vibraphone practicing and how it affects the people around me. Luckily, for my wife and eldest son, I didn't play much music for about 8 years and consequently they didn't have to listen to it while they were trying to get their well deserved sleep at the end of the day.

Another wild Jam from Germany.
Take care, stay healthy and inside, Guys.
Outside only over Chord Changes. ;-)

Another Sight-Reading Assignment by Peter Thomas.
Filled out the space within Miles beautiful Solo lines with some additional chords.

I've always enjoyed the manner that Lynn Blessing used the vibes as part of Al Jarreau's band back in 1977-78. But I couldn't find a YouTube example where I could watch them perform - until today.

Lynn was a known vibes and keyboard player from his work with Paul Horn and Tim Weisberg, but his playing with Jarreau was different since he was part of an ensemble sound. I've only found two examples of Lynn playing live and I'd like to post this first one from the Midnight Special from 1978.

Hi Guys,
Started Sight-reading again during my quarantine days in Hamburg, which I didn’t for years. After rehearsing one of my favorite Miles Davis Solos ever: Bye Bye Blackbird from his first Columbia record „‚Round Midnight“, I got completely hooked on the Red Garland Intro, which I transcribed by myself. Just let me know, if you are interested in the pdf.file and I will send it to you. Sounds great on Vibes, but you‘lll need a Bass player.

We were talking about this during the hang this weekend. It’s something we all do to one degree or another.

Here’s the thing though: Hearing our mistakes is our super power. It’s the strength of our ears that eventually makes us better players. It’s why we are good.