Kyle Simpler

Since: 2002 | Reviews Albums | Location: Dallas | Page Views: 23,472

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About Me

Longtime jazz listener

I took lab band when I started college, and the professor told us to quit listening to so much rock and start buying jazz records. Since I was already hooked on record collecting, this felt like the perfect way to justify my habit. After all, when a teacher tells you to buy more records, who am I to argue? A few decades and a few thousand records later, I’m still as excited as ever about jazz. I was fortunate to work in some cool record stores during my college days, which was an education in itself. For the past few years, I’ve been writing for All About Jazz, mostly album reviews and the occasional feature, and I’ve also been learning jazz guitar. Now retired from teaching high school English, I’m restoring vintage guitars and planning to record more of my own music. It turns out that good advice from teachers sticks with you—even if you become one yourself.

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My Jazz Story

My first exposure to jazz was in middle school band, but I didn't get seriously interested in it until I went to college. I listen to a lot of different jazz styles, but I especially dig jazz guitar. The best show I ever attended was Max Roach, and Jimmy Smith would be a close runner up. My advice to new listeners: there's not going to be a test—just have fun!