So I used to play in a band that played mostly standards with a female singer , I did that for like 5 years although we hardly ever played out more like just fun getting together to play and learn.That ened like 18 months ago, but recently got together with the Piano and Bass players. We are playing at a book store /coffee every Sunday 2 hours before they close..its more like practice since there's like 3 people there reading. But to get to the point, I'm playing the best Jazz of my life, this is really first time since I've been super focused that I played with bass and piano, usually me to backing tracks at home. So I've been recording it, I heard thing come out of me that I never heard before and it was really good! After i played I was thinking where the hell did that come from, it was like a voice leading phrase, but one I never played before.... So right after I thought to myself I just really improvised....In addition from watching all your comping moves i would say my comping is 200% better then 2 years ago.....I was listening and sometime I move to much now but its fun..I love comping because its not boring anymore...So in conclusion....Thank you Barry!!!

I guess Barry didn't see this :)

That's great to hear. Playing out is playing out. Unless admission is charged (and sometimes not even then), a jazz combo tends to be "background music" to 99% of the patrons. Sad but true. We play jazz because we love it. We like the challenge. We want to keep this music alive and share it with the next generation. The good thing about playing background music is nobody is paying attention and you don't need to be stressed out and it frees you up to try new things. I'm glad to hear students here are benefiting from Barry's method as much as I am. I'm still a living room guy and family/work life has impeded my ability to get more serious and play out, but I'm hoping in a couple of years the empty nest will give me a little more freedom, and then I can make a post like yours :)

Thanks Kurt!