Mercer Island Community Center, 11am-1pm

Keith Ganz

NYC-based guitarist Keith Ganz will present his ideas for “comping in a vocal or horn Duo plus fretboard freedom when it’s your turn to solo.”  $20 SJGS members & $25 non-members.

Keith Ganz is well known for his guitar chops and experience as a vocal accompanist.  His credentials include choice stints with Harry Connick Jr., Kurt Elling, Luciana Souza, Peter Eldridge.  Keith’s most recent collaboration with Kate McGarry received a 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Keith in town backing our own Jazz ambassadress Kelley Johnson who’s home now after her whirlwind tour for the US State Department. 

Here are some videos featuring Keith you might enjoy:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoAM2ZINnNg
• http://kcrwmusicnews.vox.com/library/video/6a00e398a7497d0001011016667b45860c.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rioz1yAPdfE

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John Stowell

 Two guitarists playing together is a long standing tradition in the Jazz world.  It’s also a great way to learn, share and enjoy making music with another like-minded SJGS-er.  Freshly off the road with fellow Swedish guitarist Ulf Bandgren, Mr. Stowell will present ideas for us to explore and incorporate into our own Duo guitars playing situations. This will be a hands-on clinic where participation is encouraged although not required.

$20 SJGS members; $25 non-members.

RSVP through the SJGS event sign-up form below.

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Click here to see and hear John and Tim Lerch playing duos on youtube!

Neil Andersson

Host Neil Andersson explores the music of Django Reinhardt.   A look at three classic compositions: Nuages, Djangology and Manoir de mes reves.  As points of departure, Neil will discuss Django’s chord use, comparing the original forms with subsitutions and embellishments.  Additionally Neil will address how Django moved through the chords including idiomatic phrases, contemporary ideas, and unique two-finger soloing.

Neil Andersson is one of the founding members of Pearl Django. That was in 1994.  Now 16-years later, eleven records, countless gigs and many miles of touring since, Neil is leaving the busy band life to balance music with his “other” career as a visual artist: www.neilandersson.com. A true Renaissance man…with an MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago…and one wicked guitar player.

Neil Andersson and SJGS

Neil Andersson and SJGS

Neil Andersson and SJGS

Sean McGowan

We’re pleased to announce a clinic with Sean McGowan 12-2pm on Sunday 11 April 2010 @ the MICC [Mercer Island Community Center at Mercerview]. Fee is $20 SJGS members and $25 non-members payable at the door.

Sean McGowan is an award-winning fingerstyle guitarist in Denver CO. He is a full time professor at the University of Colorado Denver where he teaches jazz guitar and advanced improvisation. Sean also contributes lessons to Acoustic Guitar magazine.

Sean’s clinic will address a variety of harmonic concepts and extended techniques to create and arrange jazz standards for solo fingerstyle guitar. Techniques will include melodic phrasing, bass lines, voicings, playing multiple parts, harmonics and right-hand fretting.

For those who use a pick [plectrum] most of the time, here’s an opportunity to expand your musical vocabulary by exploring a different approach. For those who have “pumped nylon” and survived Sean will explore alternatives on his archtop. For everyone, this clinic is an opportunity to learn something new from an upcoming voice on our instrument.

Sean graduated with a DMA in Guitar Performance from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.   He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Music Performance at the University of Colorado Denver.  Sean is a frequent lesson and article contributor for Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Teacher and Jazz Improv magazines.  Be sure to check out his incredible playing on myspace and youtube.

Photos from the event …

Sean McGowan's Extended Technique

Sean McGowan's Extended Technique

Rhythms of Brazil

 Join guitarist Marco de Carvalho and percussionist Jeff Bush for an exploration of Brazilian rhythms.

$20 for members / $25 for non-members

This is a great opportunity to unlock yourself from the “let’s play Latin” generic syndrome and bring your ears to hear|learn|participate with some of the “real stuff” of that amazing country called Brazil.

Come learn how Marco covers melody and harmony while locking up with Jeff on percussion. And listen to Jeff use nearly every extension in his body to engage time while challenging Marco.

You’ll leave with a far better understanding of several important Brazilian rhythms. Next time that someone calls a “Latin tune” you’ll be able to play it with confidence…and in a multitude of ways.

Marco de Carvalho and Jeff Bush clinic for SJGS on Brazilian rhythms

Gene Bertoncini

Gene Bertoncini will teach an all-day intensive “master class”.

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Here are some pictures from the Jack Wilkins Seattle Jazz Guitar Society clinic back in November 2008.  He played at Kirkland Performance Center that weekend.

Jack Wilkins SJGS Clinic 2008

Jack Wilkins SJGS Clinic 2008

Jack Wilkins and Tim Lerch

Jack Wilkins SJGS Clinic 2008