"John Racina's fast-paced book for musicians of all levels, is designed to expedite the development of an effective blues-based jazz performance vocabulary. I especially like the book's versatility; it's useful as a method for progressive study, as a jazz resource, or as a stockpile of ideas for a Saturday night gig. Racina knows what really works on the bandstand, and he articulates clearly the practical information acquired during his long career as a teacher and professional musician. I highly recommend Blues Riffs as a valuable course of study for both individual and class instruction."
Neil Slater, Director, ~ One-O' Clock Lab Band Chair, Division of Jazz Studies University of North Texas, Denton, TX
"John Racina's books are a no-nonsense approach to jazz education. I have used them in private lessons, in classroom teaching and in my own practice sessions. They work very well for young, intermediate and advanced students of jazz. I recommend these books to anyone who wants to improve their playing in the areas of jazz improvisation and sight reading"
Mike Vax, ~~ Yamaha Performing Artist
"John Racina has presented some excellent information and musical examples which are the result of his many years of success in the professional music world. Each performer who utilizes this material will undoubtedly gain much to help in future performances. I recommend this book without reservation."
Leon Breeden, Professor Emeritus University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
"John Racina is an experienced musician who has a lot to offer in his teaching and writing about jazz. These blues etudes and heads are heavily steeped in the jazz tradition and offer an aspiring player a huge amount of good vocabulary. John's book, "Blues Etudes, Patterns and More", is filled with swinging ideas that are fun to play and tie in nicely with the Jamey Aebersold series of play-a-long recordings"
Dan Haerle, Regents Professor of Music, Jazz Studies Division University of North Texas, Denton, Texas ~~ Professor Haerle teaches Jazz Piano, Jazz Fundamentals, Advanced Jazz Improvisation, Jazz MIDI, Graduate Jazz Improvisation, and a Rhythm Section Master Class at the University of North Texas. He also supervises the Jazz Chamber Music program and directs a keyboard ensemble called the Zebras. He is the author of seven well-known jazz publications. Mr. Haerle has been active as clinician and guest artist at many colleges and universities from 1968 to the present, and continues to be involved in a number of summer jazz workshops throughout the country. He can be heard on a number of CD's including twenty Jamey Aebersold play-a-longs. Dan Haerle has performed with the following well-known jazz artists: Stan Kenton, Clark Terry, Chris Connor, Mel Torme, Al Jarreau, Pat Metheny, Dave Liebman, Woody Shaw, Kai Winding and Freddie Hubbard.
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