Nashville Jazz Workshop

Roger Harper · #1 01-01-2007, 06:57 PM

I am considering signing up for some of their programs. Does anyone have any experience with them? I am new to jazz but have been playing music most of my life (54 years) and upright for the past 4 years.

Thanks,
Roger

Ed Fuqua · #2 01-02-2007, 10:38 AM

Do you have a link? Who's on the faculty? Personally, if I was a bassist looking to play jazz in Nashville, I'd be knocking on Jim Ferguson's door....

kurtsnyder · #3 01-02-2007, 12:49 PM

Here is the link: http://www.nashvillejazz.org/ I'm thinking about taking lessons there too. One of the bass instructors is Roger Spencer. He's good, but I met him once at one of his gigs and he was a real a-hole to me. Basically said it wasn't a good idea for me to start taking lessons and that basses are SO expensive like his $20g bass. Seemed like a jerk... IMO.

My current teacher, Ryann Kamm recommened Jim. I met him and he's super nice. I went to a gig of his and it was some of the best live jazz I've ever heard.

Just my $0.02...

**Freddels** · #4 01-02-2007, 02:40 PM

I knew Jeff Coffin and Chris Brown at NT. I used to play with Chris a lot (with Mike Cain on piano) and Chris was one of the best drummers I ever played with. I see on they're are also listing Pat Coil (another NT guy). It looks like it would be a good program. What have you got to lose? Go for it!

Fred

Paul Warburton · #5 01-04-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Do you have a link? Who's on the faculty? Personally, if I was a bassist looking to play jazz in Nashville, I'd be knocking on Jim Ferguson's door....

#1

lowEndRick · #6 01-04-2007, 11:42 AM

The NJW looks great. I wish there was something like that in Upper Westchester NY or Fairfield Cty CT.

The only thing about NJW that seems odd is that they do not list any bass instruction. But its great to have all those theory, composition, and ensemble classes that you can take at night without enrolling as a full-time student. Sounds perfect for us mature adult working stiffs.

Ed Fuqua · #7 01-04-2007, 11:46 AM

???? I think you'd find any number of folks in that program that wished they were within spitting distance ofteh NYC scene....

arnoldschnitzer · #8 01-04-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowEndRick

The NJW looks great. I wish there was something like that in Upper Westchester NY or Fairfield Cty CT.

What about Western Connecticut at Danbury? Dave Ruffels teaches there and he's excellent...

lowEndRick · #9 01-04-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

What about Western Connecticut at Danbury? Dave Ruffels teaches there and he's excellent...

Do they have some kind of continuing ed or non-matric program?

I'm 42 and have 3 kids and 5 jobs. I can't committ to a full-time program.

I'd consider private lessons. Maybe I'll inquire.

lowEndRick · #10 01-04-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

???? I think you'd find any number of folks in that program that wished they were within spitting distance ofteh NYC scene....

See my post above about age, family, and employment.

I grew up in NYC and am well aware of the opportunities there. I just can't realistically get down there on a regular basis at this point in my life. 1.5 hours by car, hour and 40 by train.

Ed Fuqua · #11 01-04-2007, 12:31 PM

40 hours by train? You must be taking the local

Still closer than Nashville though, right? There's a couple of folks from Westchester that make it down here on a regular basis and another from as far up as Peekskill. Sure it's nothing you want to do every day (unless you gotta), but getting to the city for lessons or sessions once or twice a month is still doable, if it's something that's important to you.

Buddy of mine's guitar teacher grew up in NC with Tal Farlow, Ted used to talk about taking a bus ride of 3 hours (each way) a couple of times a week to go play with a bassist and alto player who lived in another part of the state. Cause they were the only other musicians around (at the time) tha were into the same kind of music.

lowEndRick · #12 01-04-2007, 12:53 PM

Thats cool Ed. I'm sure there are people who can make it down from Peekskill without too much difficulty. I work in Westchester but I live up in Northern Fairfield Cty CT where its 1 hour and 40 minutes to the city by train. Most days I work from about 7:45AM til about 8:00PM. I work for a school district, maintain 2 private practices, and teach on 2 college campuses. I gig about 2 to 3 times a month with 3 different bands. I also have 3 young children at home and a wife who misses me a lot. It seems much more feasible for me to find something that can work for me a little closer to home. Maybe one day things will be different.

Ed Fuqua · #13 01-04-2007, 01:03 PM

I don't know if he's still accepting students, but Sal Mosca is in White Plains (or is it Yonkers?), also Bob Arthurs (a GREAT trumpet player) is in White Plains. Craig Garfinkel (who posts here) is someplace in Connecticut, can't be too far out cause he was coming down for awhile for lessons with Ray Parker....

Best of luck with yer search...

countrybass · #14 01-25-2007, 10:17 PM

Rodger,

I believe the bassist Ed was suggesting does teach at the Nasville Jazz Workshop.I don't think he is one of the regular instructers,but I think he is on staff.

Maybe I'll see you there,I'm interested in taking classes too.

Bobby King · #15 01-25-2007, 11:40 PM

Hi there -

I live in Nashville and am familiar with many of the bass player/teachers here.

Jim Ferguson is a great player, teacher and luthier. On the board of the ISB. He's also an excellent singer, BTW.

Roger Spencer is an excellent teacher. He and his wife Laurie Meecham run the Nashville Jazz Workshop. He is not at all an "a-hole" as suggested above, he's just a little quirky.

There is a woman named Alana Rocklin who has played with Jeff Coffin and (2 basses) Victor Wooten. She's an excellent teacher.

Other good players that may teach are: Victor Krauss, Craig Nelson, Charlie Chadwick, John Birdsong, John Vogt.

Good luck!

Roger Harper · #16 01-26-2007, 10:24 AM

Thanks for the replies. I have had a couple of lessons with Roger Spencer so far and have really enjoyed it. Coming from playing bluegrass and being almost completely uneducated about jazz and constructing walking lines as well as only self taught technique I can't say enough about how helpful and informative it is. I will continue until I am capable of at least being passable at playing in some ensemble situations and jams.

What do you know, haveing a teacher is really a great idea. We should mention it more often on this forum!

Roger

kurtsnyder · #17 01-27-2007, 03:34 PM

So Roger, you like Roger Spencer OK? I'm just curious because I might take some classes there later this year and wasn't too sure about it because of my first meeting with him. Maybe I caught him on a bad night?

BTW, have you gotten to hear any live stuff in the "Jazz Cave". I've wanted to go there but have never had a chance.

Roger Harper · #18 01-27-2007, 03:51 PM

I like him just fine. He has been very helpful, no attitude - just helpful and friendly.

I haven't had a chance to catch any shows at the Cafe yet but plan to soon.

Hope to see you over there sometime.

Roger

lowEndRick · #19 01-09-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

What about Western Connecticut at Danbury? Dave Ruffels teaches there and he's excellent...

Just thought I'd follow up. Thanks for the suggestion Arnold. I have been taking lessons with Dave Ruffels for a few months now. Its working out great. He is a tremendous teacher and human being.