Saxophonist Matt Marantz on the SJW

The workshop here at Stanford is a great experience for young people who are interested in learning more about jazz music. I’ve had a great time so far getting to meet all the people that an event like this brings together. One thing I love about playing music is the “hang”, the time when you get to know the people you’re working with on a personal level. Often times when I get a chance to talk with some of the great musicians that serve on faculty at the SJW, I wind up learning things I’d never known about before. Hopefully the same is true for the students at the camp – I know that when I was a youngster attending various music camps, I’d routinely find myself in awe of the great musicians that were on faculty and I’d try to learn as much as possible from them when an opportunity came up to hear them play or teach. Now, being on the other end of the court in the teaching realm, I’ve found a completely new challenge in trying to find the right words and musical examples to convey meaningful information to the students about this great music. Hopefully, after the week is over, the students at the camp will come away with a greater understanding of how this music works, some new ideas to work out on their instruments, and new techniques to apply to their improvisations.

Stanford Jazz Mentors at CoHo performing “Daybreak”

This video excerpt features a composition by saxophonist Matt Marantz, entitled “Daybreak.”

Natalie Cressman’s perspective on teaching at SJW

It’s been a great couple weeks working here at Stanford! My biggest lesson so far has been the realization that engaging the students and getting them into the music is way more important than trying to overload them with a lot of information. It’s easy to want to focus on every single area that needs improvement, but if students are overwhelmed with too many things to think about, they really won’t retain anything by week’s end. It’s so much more effective to work on the most important aspect that needs work that will have the greatest impact on their playing. The reward of teaching this way is the “ah-ha!” moment when students are able to solve a technical problem or suddenly understand an improvisational concept. That moment is just so rewarding for me, I’m pretty sure that’s the reason I like teaching so much. The kids in my classes this week are so fantastic, they have such great energy and its a joy to help them get to the next place in their development as young musicians.

Pianist Reuben Allen talks about his experience teaching at the Stanford Jazz Workshop.

I’ve had a great time so far at the workshop! My experiences teaching young jazz students have given me invaluable perspective on the challenges of jazz education. In every masterclass, rehearsal, and private lesson, I feel great responsibility to pass on a beautiful musical tradition to young people. The main challenge is to engage students and inspire them to develop or continue their interest in jazz music, even if they may not have much experience as listeners or players. I try to talk to students from my perspective as a student rather than as a teacher so that I can express to them how I learned the music. My goal is to present students with concrete concepts which will grow like seeds into branches of learning where they are inspired and empowered to learn for themselves. Oftentimes I remind students that scales and theories can help them, but that the most inspiring source is the music itself, and that they can only really feel the music by listening.

Reuben teaching during the SJW Eddie Harris jam.

Drummer Cory Cox talks about learning to teach

Drummer Cory Cox is one of the Stanford Jazz Mentors for 2010, where he teaches alongside experienced jazz educators and on his own. Here he talks about his approach to teaching younger students at the Stanford Jazz Workshop.

Stanford Jazz Mentors at CoHo

The Stanford Jazz Mentors came out swinging at their first performances at the Stanford Coffeehouse, featuring original compositions. Check out this video excerpt of pianist Reuben Allen’s “Evanston,” recorded July 22, 2010.