Lessons Learned
Standards? Determining Curricular Repertoire
September 20, 2011A continued look at the process of developing standards in Jazz Education
Lessons Learned: “Standards” - Determining Curricular Repertoire, Part 1
July 26, 2011Given the extensive repertoire available to jazz musicians, it is sometimes daunting to know where to start, especially for the young player. Yet the responsibility remains for the university jazz program to prepare their students for the professional world in a sequential and timely manner covering appropriate styles and tune types. This is compounded when one considers that students may eventually reside in other geographical regions due to family, work opportunity, or graduate studies.
Efficient Practice
April 18, 2011The biggest challenges students face have to do with developing efficient practice techniques and learning how to be open and responsive while performing. This article addresses those challenges
Efficient Practice
January 16, 2011Over many years of teaching, I have learned that the biggest challenges students face have to do with developing efficient practice techniques and learning how to be open and responsive while performing. My teaching at The University of North Florida a...
'Plan B' for the Jazz Musician
November 19, 2010We all know how hard it is to make a living today as a jazz musician. Clubs have dwindled, interest in the music isn't what it once was, digital technology has replaced live musicians with synthesized sounds. The dedicated jazz player need never give u...
Playing Jazz on the Bassoon
July 9, 2010In recent years, several instruments not traditionally associated with jazz have come into the picture, including various strings instruments, brass, and woodwinds. There are many reasons why the entry of new instruments into jazz is now taking place, ...
The Jazz Big Band: Ingredients To Assure Good Ensemble Performances
December 9, 2009I was afforded the opportunity to play in jazz big bands from my youth through higher education. I experienced many styles of leadership, some more effective than others. Some ensembles I played in at the University level were at a professional level. ...
Getting In Mysteries of the College Jazz Program Audition Process Explained
October 28, 2009For many students, the college jazz program audition process can seem to be full of anxiety and stress. Although your audition is certainly a moment when you want to make the best possible impression (musically as well as personally), it's best to thin...
Playing the Gig You're On: Coltrane Knew How
March 18, 2009Picture the following
Staying Healthy on Tour
October 21, 2008The focus of this article is to discuss ways to stay healthy while on the road. With Be;la Fleck the Flecktones, we do a fair amount of overseas touring and, even without a time zone change, the travel can wear me, and the others, out. Most times air...
Writing the Book on Jazz Education
March 11, 2008Without the leadership of capable ambassadors, jazz and the boundless creativity and dedication it inspires would never have gained the foothold it has today in our schools. One of these heroes of jazz education is Ronald Carter, who currently serves a...
My Lessons From Herb Pomeroy
January 9, 2008Like thousands of other musicians, I was deeply saddened when I heard of the passing of Herb Pomeroy in August 2007. Herb was perhaps the most influential jazz educator of the last fifty years inspiring and mentoring generations of the top musicians fr...
Mick Taylor: Soul Survivor
October 30, 2007So why would a jazz magazine prominently profile a blues guitarist most well known for his work with the most commercially successful rock band of all time? Well, the reasons are many let me share them with you, because ever since attending my post-h...
Dave Brubeck: Changing Times
September 5, 2007With insatiable musical curiosity and ingenuity, Dave Brubeck helped legitimize jazz as an art form in the 1940s and '50s. Brubeck is also widely credited with bringing jazz into the public eye, popularizing the genre without sacrificing his own music...
Overseeing Montreal's Annual Jazz Summit
June 21, 2007As co-founder of the Festival International de Jazz de Montr#233;al (as well as the Francofolies de Montr#233;al and the Montr#233;al High Lights Festival), Andr#233; M#233;nard has been helping to shape the climate of jazz performance for almost three...
Viewing the Bigger Picture
March 8, 2007"The future of jazz lies in the hands of the performers," notes Bruce Lundvall, president CEO of the Blue Note label group (www.bluenote.com). "Always it's the artists who move the music forward, artistically and even commercially.We're simply middle...
On the Road - Chris McNulty
January 24, 2007Ever found yourself in this situation - leading a band you've never worked with before, with no time for a decent rehearsal, you want to do some cool material, you have no musical accompanist? Well, if so, read on#133; I would specifically like to talk...
The Power of Listening - Nick Phillips
November 1, 2006The Power of Listening EVERY LISTENING EXPERIENCE IS AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY In a certain sense, American popular song has long paid lip service to the subject of education. Think of "Teach Me Tonight" or "Learnin' the Blues," though you might ...
