RUFFIN: NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT

NEA JAZZ MASTER JAMEY AEBERSOLD, A LIFELONG TEACHER OF JAZZ, DISCOVERED EARLY ON SOMETHING THAT WOULD IMPACT HIS TEACHING STYLE FOR DECADES.

Jamey Aebersold: I found out everybody can improvise, if you show 'em what scale to play and play a little background for 'em.

Music up, hot

Jamey Aebersold: I know what improvisation gives you. It gives you freedom of expression. It's like talking. Why would you want to say the same sentences over and over and over, you know? Uh-uh. It's more fun to make up sentences. And that's what goes on with improvisation.

THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH EDUCATOR AND JAZZ ADVOCATE JAMEY AEBERSOLD WAS PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

Excerpt of Bb Blues, composed by Jamey Aebersold, used by permission of Jamey Aebersold Jazz.