Jazzmobile workshops

bako · #1 11-18-2009, 06:29 PM

A long time ago I attended Jazzmobile workshops.
At the time it was 40$ and with inflation is up to 80$
It included 5 hours each Saturday morning for about 5 months with Ted Dunbar who was a great guitarist, improvising musician and philosopher.
The most capable guitar players (which wasn't the teenage me) spent the last 2 hours playing in a big band conducted by Frank Foster.

Here's the basic info that was sent to me by teacher/guitarist Rick Stone
for those in the NYC vicinity for which this might be helpful.

Jazzmobile registration will be held on November 21st and December 5th at the Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing and Visual Arts, 215 West 114th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Please note that they're doing things a bit differently this year. ALL guitar students MUST register on November 21st. Classes run from December 12, 2009 through March 27, 2010. There's a one-time registration fee of $80 for adults or $25 for children and youth up to 18 years old, and seniors 65 and up (ID required). This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone serious about learning to play jazz. All ages welcome. Please pass the word along.

derek · #2 11-19-2009, 10:17 AM

Jazzmobile huh? What a cool idea. I didn't know you studied with Rick. I run into Rick some on another site. Great guy, and wonderful player. I have caught his lessons in JJG and have a few of his CM arrangements in a Mel Bay CM book.

bako · #3 11-19-2009, 06:45 PM

At Jazzmobile I spent a couple of semesters studying with Ted Dunbar. I know Rick also studied with Ted at Jazzmobile and Livingston College in New Jersey. Ted suggested Rick as his replacement when he moved on. I've played with Rick informally at parties and a recording session for a singer playing my other instrument, cello. He's an excellent guitar player and fun to hang with.

jseaberry · #4 11-21-2009, 03:13 PM

I also did the Jazzmobile from 1974 to 1977 when I lived in NY. Ted Dunbar and Wally Richardson were the guitar teachers. It was a fantastic experience. I got to play in the big band with Freddie Waits and Charli Persip on drums, Frank foster and Jimmy Heath on reeds.....whoa, my head is starting to spin again.........Ted had a HUGE Gibson L-5, and this was about the time he started.....ahem....putting on a few pounds, and it sat out almost horizontal when he played, but boy, the lines!!!!!! I still have the book he wrote for the class which is as timeless as any publication you'll find. It was acutally free then; even if it costs now, I highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to participate.
I remember once we had to do a solo recital for Ted. One young fellow (I don't remember his name, but he had a different guitar almost every week), was just going up and down like crazy, and did he ever have the Guitar Grimace going!!!! When he was done, he just sat there looking slightly smug, and Ted said, "if you get the music outa your face and into your fingers, you'd do a lot better......" Burn!!! I never forgot that; you'll NEVER see a Guitar Face on me.....