Here's a very simple chord study.

1. Play the melody. Get the sound of the tune in the room.
2. Play the etude.

I added a bass part without vibes.

First time through is guide tones. Here the tune?
Second time through notice the guide tones are still there but I added notes.

Of course right the changes in.

The etude is attached.

I love many of Johnny Mandel's tunes. I think this one was written for the film The Sandpiper. The theme is so well known that all you have to do is state it once and then feel free to take liberties with the rest of the melody. Try to get as full and rich a sound as you can. Even though the tune has been over recorded, and probably falls into the pop music category, it can still be a satisfying vehicle for jazz players.

The band actually changed its name to Brasilia, but there were some videos posted here a while back of a live concert (Double Rainbow, Triste, etc) when the band was called Samba Jazz Syndicate. The recording features some beautiful Brazilian tunes like Cafe com Pao and Na IIha De Lia, No Barco De Rosa (On Lia's Island, In Rosa's Boat)…and great guitarist Bruno Mangueria. Also, a tune of mine (Fresh Biscuits) which is not Brazilian.

If interested below are links to iTunes and also my sound cloud that has some samples of the cd.
Best, Rusty

He's the representant (creator ?) of the ethio jazz, that is the Ethiopian Jazz.

Check out David's new great duo!

Lesson with ideas for working on Major7#5 chords. A good place to start if, like me, you feel like you don't always have much to play over them.