Andy LaViolette

Andy LaViolette

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence May 29, 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.

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There's a certain magic in hearing a great jazz pianist, a feeling that it's both complex and effortless. Jazz Piano Skills pulls back the curtain on that magic, transforming it into a clear, practical path forward. Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence, an educator and the President of The Dallas School of Music, this series feels less like a lecture and more like a series of private sessions. Each episode focuses on a tangible skill, breaking down the theory, harmony, and technique that define the jazz language. You'll hear Bob at the keyboard, demonstrating chord voicings, improvisational patterns, and rhythmic concepts, explaining the 'why' behind every note. Whether you're deciphering a standard or building a solo from scratch, the guidance is always rooted in practical application. This podcast is designed for those who want to move beyond simply playing notes on a page and start speaking through the instrument. It’s a deep, methodical exploration of the art form, offering structured lessons that build upon each other. Tune in and find your voice at the keys, learning directly from a professional whose teaching strips away the intimidation and fuels genuine musical growth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 332

Jazz Piano Skills
Podcast Episodes
A Beautiful Friendship, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:46
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsmusic practice, scales, arpeggios, technique, musicianshipSummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusses the common prac…
A Beautiful Friendship, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordspractice, objectives, focused practice, time management, skill developmentSummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence emphasize…
A Beautiful Friendship, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:44
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsharmony, music theory, musical notes, subjective experience, good harmony, bad harmonySummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawren…
Tangerine, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, improvisation, musical facts, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, improvisation trees, jazz skills, music education,…
Special Guest, Lisa Deneau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:11
KeywordsJazz, Piano, Music Education, Jazz Piano Skills, Musical Journey, Influences, Practice, Learning, Community, ListeningTakeawaysLisa's mother was a significant influence on her love for music.She grew up in a musi…
Tangerine, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Practice Strategies, Improvisation, Music Theory, Jazz Techniques,…
Tangerine, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:11
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, music education, harmony, melody, improvisation, chord voicing, jazz standards, Tangerine, music theory, piano skills…
Jazz Piano: Common Questions Answered [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:29
KeywordsJazz Piano, improvisation, harmony, chords, voicings, practice, learning, techniques, repertoire, jazz standardsSummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores common questions related to j…
Improvisation, The Mastery of Harmony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:48
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Harmony, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Melodic Ideas, Music Theory, Piano Practice, Jazz Standards, Mu…
Blue Bossa, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:10
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Analysis, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Blue Bossa, Music Practice, Jazz Le…