Hey all,
I've been playing classical piano for 11 years, with lessons the whole time.
From my repertoire I really enjoyed playing Moussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition... I guess that gives you an idea of my 'level'...
I'm also really into electronic music - nu jazz, house, etc, and I've been trying to compose a bit as well, and it's working out alright so far.
I think it would also be very fun to play/improvise jazz. Style wise I haven't heard much but I really dig smooth and cool jazz.
However, my piano teacher doesn't like jazz, he's strictly classical, so I'm on my own. So I thought I might as well get more than a few opinions.

I would like to be able to play/improvise/compose in the 'jazzy' way.

How should I start? Lots of theory?

Cheers,
Thej.

I would start with theory, Thej. It's a good way to get the basic things down. I myself use the "Master Theory" series. I'd also get, maybe one or two books about jazz playing/improvising. Try to search the internet for "How To" tips. I'm in the same boat as you, classically trained, teacher and all for eleven years, give or take on year or so. But yeah, theory's a good start!

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!

Thanks for the tips, I wish you best of luck as well!

Thej,

There are some great books available, such as:

Tim Richards, Exploring Jazz Piano, Vol 1 and 2
Phil DeGreg, Jazz Keyboard Harmony
Randy Halberstadt, Metaphors For The Musician
Mark Levine, The Jazz Piano Book

There is also a website which you can join (free) and download (free) tutorial files, in addition to using the forums:

http://www.learnjazzpiano.com

Ed

For anyone aspiring to learn more about jazz, I'd suggest a healthy dose of listening. Jazz is so varied that it is overwhelming just to grasp the overall extent of the idiom.

Once you find artists that you enjoy listening to, then from there it is easy to figure out connections. For me, besides heavy doses of modern big band recordings, I started with the Miles Davis album "Kind of Blue" and from there followed Miles, Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly and Bill Evans. Ultimately, I found my preference to be in the mid-50s to the mid-60s recordings.

As far as online resources go, I think this is a tremendous one:
Marc Sabatella\'s Jazz Improvisation Primer