Andy LaViolette

Andy LaViolette

Author: Jazz Piano Skills May 28, 2024 Duration: 1:18:22

It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano with Andy LaViolette.

Andy LaViolette is a musician and filmmaker who has co-owned his company, Mr. Magic Carpet Ride Productions (MMCRP), with his wife, Christi, since 2006. 

His studies in jazz guitar started in 1994 when he studied with Dr. Bob Lawrence at The Dallas School of Music up until his time at the University of North Texas (UNT) in 1998. After three years of study in the Jazz Performance program at UNT, Andy played professionally as a guitarist in an original, progressive-rock band called “Bagg” and other local Denton, Texas musicians. In 2006, Andy returned to UNT and completed his Jazz Guitar Performance degree in 2010 while he played professionally with numerous musicians including Dave Alexander’s Western Swing Big Band, Willie Dees, and other local jazz musicians.

It was during that time that Mr. Magic Carpet Ride Productions became a larger part of his professional life and the company evolved into specializing in multi-camera, live music recordings. After working on numerous projects with a band called, “Snarky Puppy”, the partnership culminated several hundred million views of live music films on the web and earned three Grammy awards with Andy as the Director of Photography. Mr. Magic Carpet Ride Productions has since made countless films with other notable musicians such as Charlie Hunter, David Crosby, Bokanté, Banda Magda, Forq, The Quebe Sisters, Shaun Martin, Mark Lettieri, and many others.

Since 2017, Andy has worked as a Senior Video Editor, Senior Manager of Content Solutions, and Senior Manager of Content Acquisition at Shutterstock, where he works with some of the largest brands in the world through a library of commercial music, photos, footage, 3D objects, and more. He continues to create new films and
other creative projects through Mr. Magic Carpet Ride Productions and through a creative series of “How To” videos on his original show called, “Life at the House.”

More importantly than any professional accomplishment, Andy is a proud husband and father and enjoys a quiet life at home being creative and spending time with his family.

It is my honor to introduce you to Andy LaViolette.


For anyone who has ever sat at the piano, felt the keys under their fingers, and wondered how to move beyond the written notes into the realm of spontaneous, expressive music, Jazz Piano Skills Premium offers a direct path. Created by Jazz Piano Skills, this series is a deep, practical immersion into the language of jazz, designed for players who are serious about developing their craft. Each episode functions as a focused lesson, breaking down the harmonic concepts, rhythmic approaches, and melodic improvisation techniques that define the genre. You'll hear clear, step-by-step explanations paired with immediate musical demonstrations, making complex ideas accessible and, more importantly, playable. This isn't about passive listening; it's an active workshop where every topic, from walking bass lines and chord voicings to reharmonization and blues phrasing, is meant to be applied at your instrument. The podcast provides a structured yet creative curriculum that builds week by week, transforming theoretical knowledge into tangible keyboard skills. Whether you're working on standard tunes, developing your swing feel, or seeking to understand the theory behind the masters, this resource delivers substantive content that encourages real growth. Tune in, sit down at the piano, and get ready to play.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 119

Jazz Piano Skills Premium
Podcast Episodes
Stars Fell on Alabama, Solo Piano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsKeywordsJazz Piano, Solo Piano Techniques, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Improvisation, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Analysis, Jazz Skills, Piano Practice, Music TheoryTakeawaysSol…
Stars Fell on Alabama, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:35
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence dives deep into the art of improvisation, focusing on the classic tune "Sta…
Stars Fell on Alabama, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:54
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Expressiveness, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Practice Strategies, Music Theory, Stars Fell on A…
Stars Fell on Alabama, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:37
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, learning jazz, Stars Fell on Alabama, jazz voicings, harmonic analysis, jazz education, music theory, improvisation,…
Four Pillars of Jazz Piano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
KeywordsJazz Piano, Growth, Harmony, Improvisation, Melodic Design, Solo Piano, Music Education, Jazz Community, 2026 VisionSummaryIn this final episode of 2025, Dr. Bob Lawrence reflects on a year of growth within the J…
A Jazz Piano Christmas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:20
KeywordsJazz Piano, Christmas Music, Solo Piano, Improvisation, Vince Guaraldi, Christmas Standards, Jazz Education, Music Theory, Piano Techniques, Holiday TunesSummaryIn this festive episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. B…
Christmas Time is Here, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:34
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Christmas Time Is Here, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Melodic Analysis, Harmonic Analysis, Music Pract…
Christmas Time is Here, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:01
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, essential skills, Christmas time is here, Vince Guraldi, music theory, harmonic analysis, jazz improvisation, piano v…
How to Start Jazz Improvising [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsmusic theory, scales, arpeggios, harmonic vision, melody, motif developmentSummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusse…