Special Guest, Paul Croteau

Special Guest, Paul Croteau

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence November 1, 2023 Duration: 1:07:19

It's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano with special guest Paul Croteau.

Paul grew up in Bloomfield, CT. His father was a passionate jazz fan with a modest but finely refined record collection, immersing him in the sounds of Dexter Gordon, Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Phil Woods, Jack McDuff, and many other jazz greats. He took up the saxophone at the age of 10, then taught himself piano during high school. He studied classical saxophone with Philip Delibero, earned All-State and All-New England recognition, along with several jazz soloist awards during competitions at Berklee in Boston. He then attended the renowned music school at North Texas where he studied with Jim Riggs. Paul played lead alto in the 1988 Disneyland All-American College Band in Anaheim, and won first place in the 1989 North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz Competition in Washington DC. Upon graduation Paul traveled the world as a freelance musician for many years playing in a variety of genres from classic jazz and shows to R&B and smooth jazz. 

Later in life after building a family with his North Texas college sweetheart, Paul shifted his focus to composing music for television and film, forming Yo Paulie Music (YPM) in 2015 out of his home studio in San Antonio, TX. Today, Paul creates not only classic jazz and solo piano works, but genres he never imagined writing such electronic/orchestral tension music, string quartets, hip hop and trap, and pop music of all kinds. Today Paul's music has been heard on more than 75 unique television series, across 40+ networks in 30+ countries, as well as in feature films. You can find Paul's music on Spotify, iTunes and other streaming services, and he has a humble YouTube channel dedicated to teaching people about writing for tv/film.

paul@yopauliemusic.com

www.yopauliemusic.com

IG: @YoPaulieMusic  

Spotify: https://bit.ly/ypm_spotify

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14263646/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yopauliemusic

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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
I Got Rhythm, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryDr. Bob Lawrence discusses the challenges of modern music education, emphasizing the importance of structured, foundational practi…
The Seven Facts of Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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LECTURE SERIESNo Podcast PacketsSummaryDr. Bob Lawrence explores the seven facts of music, providing a clear, logical framework to understand and improve your jazz playing. This episode emphasizes the importance of clari…
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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryThis episode explores the art of solo jazz piano, focusing on harmonic and melodic analysis, improvisation, and practical approaches to playi…
Sweet Lorraine, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the fundamentals of jazz improvisation, emphasizing the importance of intentional pract…
Sweet Lorraine, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills Community SummaryJoin Dr. Bob Lawrence as he explores the melodic analysis of 'Sweet Lorraine,' emphasizing the importance of phrasing, shaping me…
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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, harmonic analysis, improvisation, music education, jazz standards, learning process, structured practice, Sweet Lorra…
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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Solo Piano, Music Education, Harmonization, Jazz Skills, Improvisation, Melody, Chord Progressions, Music Theory, Jazz Technique…
Embraceable You, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
Keywordsjazz piano, improvisation, Embraceable You, melodic pathways, jazz skills, music education, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, jazz techniques, music practiceSummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob…
Embraceable You, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Embraceable You, Seven Facts of Music, Articulation, Jazz Education, Improvisation, Practice Strate…
Embraceable You, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Embraceable You, Jazz Harmony, Music Education, Jazz Techniques, Improvisation, Music Analysis, Jazz Standards, Piano…