Teachers in Toronto?

eh_train · #1 06-15-2006, 10:21 AM

Hi all,

There was a recent thread, under Bassists, on the wealth of talented players in Toronto. The list included 'stars' such as Dave Young and Don Thompson, but also Kieran Overs, Roberto Occhipinti, Andrew Downing, Rob Clutton, Mike Downes, and Will Jarvis.

I've heard many (but not all) of these people play, and want to know whether TBers have had experiences with these people as teachers...

What I'm mostly looking for is a jazz-oriented teacher who has ideas and enthusiasm for teaching, and who is also pleasant to deal with (i.e., patient). In my situation (middle-aged, day job, youngish child, mortgage - you get the idea), I don't expect to be moving to New York anytime soon. However, I do want to make some progress and break out of some of the habits/patterns developed over the past 17 years.

Any constructive suggestions are much appreciated! By the way, if you have negative comments on any individuals, a private message or email is the way to go...

Thanks,
Paul (Eh_train)

Scott McC · #2 06-15-2006, 10:49 AM

I have studied with Mike, Kieran, and Will. All are great teachers, players, and people. Occhipinti, Downing, and Clutton are also great, though I have never met them. I do know that Occhipinti does not teach, and I dont think Mike does outside of Humber. Downing tunes in 5s, so that may nix him (I'll bet he could rip tuned in 10s!). Will is primarily an electric guy, but he is quite solid on the upright, he is a good choice. Kieran is also a good choice, though he gigs like crazy and is hard to pin down. What I really recomend, if you have a car, is to go to Alliston (near Barrie) and take a lesson from Lenny Boyd. He played with Lenny Breaux and Lee Konitz and was the head of the Humber Bass Dept forever. If you can get up there it is a lot cheaper than in the city, even considering gas. I can get his number for you. PM me if you are interested.

Rob Hunter · #3 06-15-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott McC

What I really recomend, if you have a car, is to go to Alliston (near Barrie) and take a lesson from Lenny Boyd.

I second Lenny! He was my first teacher and he's fantastic. I can also recommend Dave Young, but I don't think he takes on students any more (correct me if I'm wrong). He does teach at the Cammac camp for a week every summer, though.