Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz Solos: 15 Chord Solos Arranged by the Ukulele Jazz Master

Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Masters: Lyle Ritz Solos is a ukulele songbook featuring 15 chord solo arrangements by ukulele jazz artist Lyle Ritz. Created for ukulele players interested in jazz, standards, and chord solo playing, the collection explores an arranging style in which melody and harmony are brought together through changing chord shapes. The arrangements are presented for both GCEA- and DGBE-tuned ukuleles.

Along with the 15 arrangements, the book includes information on creating your own ukulele chord solos and online recordings of all 15 tunes performed by Lyle Ritz. The included access code provides streaming or downloadable audio. PLAYBACK+ functionality adds practice tools, including the ability to slow the recordings without changing pitch, establish loop points, change keys, and pan the audio left or right.

Studying Ritz's arrangements offers a close look at how melody and harmony can coexist within a single ukulele part. The combination of printed chord solos and matching performances provides a valuable reference for exploring jazz phrasing, harmonic movement, chord vocabulary, and musical expression while giving each piece a complete, self-contained sound.

Song List

Bluesette * Dream * Honeysuckle Rose * How High the Moon * Lover * Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars * Satin Doll * Where or When

These are among the 15 arrangements in the collection. With classic repertoire, dual-tuning arrangements, insights into creating chord solos, and performances by Ritz himself, this volume offers material for personal practice, performance preparation, or gifting to a ukulele player with an interest in jazz and standards.

Recently, a good friend from Hawaii reminded me that he was the one who had told me about Lyle Ritz. After hearing that Lyle had recorded two jazz ukulele LP’s for Verve in the late ‘50’s, I became obsessed with finding both recordings. I’ll never forget hearing How About Uke for the first time and feeling that suddenly anything was possible on this instrument. The sophistication of Lyle’s chord voicings, his solos and the choice of the material completely erased for me any notion that the ukulele was one of the most misunderstood and under-appreciated musical instruments of all time. It also gave me the desire to try to change that perception.

This songbook is certainly a step in that direction. As more and more people are getting acquainted or reacquainted with the ukulele these days, there is a growing demand for more sophisticated arrangements. I can think of no better response than this extraordinary collection.