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Blues Education

So Who Needs Blues Education?

You! If you Plan to be a Jazz Musician

This article calls for blues ensembles in Israeli jazz programs taught by recognized blues musicians.

Recently, I heard a jazz concert by junior high school kids playing jazz standards and later heard a jazz concert by students of an Israeli jazz college program and guess what? The junior high students played better in every respect - intonation, rhythm, feel, emotion, soul.. you name it..

It's not just that the music of the college ensemble was lousy, their conduct on stage was an embarrassment to themselves, their college and an insult to the audience.. My Jazz professor, Jimmy Cheatham would never have allowed HIS students to go onstage to make such fools of themselves. And if they were already on stage showing disrespect to the music or the audience, he would stop the band in the middle of the song, kick them off the stage and perhaps out of the program!

If I was a college student considering a career playing jazz. I would insist on studying jazz in an American jazz program or choose a new career. And don't be surprised if you are turned down by U.S. jazz programs while local jazz colleges predict for you a bright future. No body gives a damn where you studied.. the only think that counts is how you play!

Learn to play the blues- it's essential to any jazz musician that plans to make a career in jazz... and not just the so called 'blue notes', but more importantly the rhythm of how to play blues licks..

As far as I know not one bona fide blues musician teaches at the college level in Israel. So what do you expect from your jazz program? It's your career, your money and your future.. insist your college hire a blues musician to teach you the how to play the blues - someone you can feel the earth in their playing without having to exaggerate, pose or work at it.

Nothin' but the Blues!

Where do you want to be in ten years? Playing jazz in NYC or driving a taxi or working in high tech here in Israel? Is that so? Then go talk to your college about blues ensembles and when they listen to you, promise you changes and don't do a damn thing, organize a protest, withhold tuition or ?

What ever you do, learn to play the blues somewhere, somehow some time... you'll feel a pride in yourself no matter what you do and where you go...good luck and funky blues!

Johnny Mayer

Johnny Mayer