Notes on Jazz!

Dr. Matt Olson is head of our Jazz Studies Program at Furman University, where I serve as Adjunct Instructor. Matt has done a great job organizing and running the program. He is a fine saxophonist as well as being a great teacher and administrator. He has some good insights into all of the roles he plays at Furman. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavism...

Kurt is a retired scientist and life-long guitarist. He has played mostly by ear. He came to me almost two years ago and wanted to learn to play the piano. Since he has played mostly by ear, he has good ears and has a good understanding of basic harmony. We've been working on reading music, as well as expanding his knowledge of harmony and improvisation. It's so much fun to see people grow and dev...

Elliott is a friend and colleague who wants to learn Jazz piano. He is a fine classical pianist and choral conductor. He teaches at the Governor's School for the Arts here in Greenville. He is a graduate of Furman University, where I serve as Adjunct Instructor of Jazz Piano. It's always interesting and inspiring to work with someone who's already great on their instrument. It points out the diffe...

Kristen is a vocalist who has a degree in Music Education from Winthrop University. She is also an accomplished classical pianist. She came to me for lessons in Jazz Piano. Now she is learning not only how to accompany herself, but getting into singing Jazz. We're having a lot of serious fun working together on helping her develop her repertoire and her understanding of a new way of singing. It's...

In this next series of short interviews, I'll talk with adult students. Then, I will follow up with the Director of Jazz Studies at Furman University. David is a friend and colleague.  He is a brilliant classical pianist who serves as Professor of Piano at Furman University. David has a life-long interest in Jazz, which I discovered when I asked him to give me classical piano lessons several...

Vee is the Director of our Fine Arts Center here in Greenville. He is also a professional Jazz saxophonist. Vee is both a great player and a great administrator. Everyone I've spoken to about him comments on the great job he is doing. He's enthusiastic and fully engaged with the students and the community.  We are fortunate to have such a high quality Arts education facility, and we are fortu...

Ricky wants to start playing gigs. He will do it, because he loves it and he works hard at learning. He has great natural ability and great ears, but what's important is that he wants it. He takes it seriously, listens, practices, writes his own tunes. He's going to go as far as he wants to go with it. And his father, Clay, is one hundred percent behind him with the support that kids need. I am av...

All of my parents are extremely supportive. It means a lot! Holly and I have had many talks about Tori's progress. I get to know the parents as well as the kids. As parents, we get excited seeing our kids grow and develop. I feel the same way as a teacher. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic.com Keith Davis Music Check out my new Substack: Sound...

Tori is a very talented young woman who is also a student at FAC. Tori has her own home recording studio where she writes and produces her own music. She writes the music, lyrics, plays keyboards and clarinet, sings, adds drum tracks, etc. It's inspiring to watch her grow and to be a part of that process.  I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic...

William's parents are very supportive! We've become friends along the way, as well. They bring Will out to my gigs, take him to concerts, etc. It's so important to have that support. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic.com Keith Davis Music Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

In this series of interviews, I'll be talking with some of my students. To begin, I'll talk with three of my students who attend the Fine Arts Center. This is a high school for performing arts, with programs in music (including a Jazz program), dance, visual arts, literature, etc. I'll also talk with the parents of these students. It's so important for kids to have supportive parents. Then I'll sp...

In whatever field of learning you explore, finding the right teacher is imperative! This is especially true in an art form like Jazz. There are lots of great players, and there are lots of very informnative books and videos, but nothing compares to a great teacher. A great teacher is someone who can really play this music, and also has the skills and willingness to pass on what they know. A great...

There are tons of great books, videos, all kinds of stuff about learning to play Jazz. The problem is, most of them don't start at the very beginning. In my experience, students aren't learning the fundamentals of music that they need to begin creating their own music. The other issue is that students just beginning to learn these fundamentals need guidance from a teacher. The right teacher can pr...

Art Lande, what a pleasure and an honor to have Art as a guest on Notes on Jazz. Art has been one of my favorite musicians for years. As a pianist, composer, recording artist, educator, and thinker about music, Art occupies a unique and compelling place. I urge you to take the time to listen to what he has to say about music and life, and music as life. Art has played with many of the top musician...

Tune Talk is a series of videos where I analyze my tunes, discussing the structure, harmony, melody, and suggestions for performance and improvisation. FreeWheeler is a two part composition written for the great trumpeter/flugelhorn player/composer Kenny Wheeler. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic.com Keith Davis Music Check out my new Substack:...

Tune Talk is a series of videos where I analyze my tunes, discussing the structure, harmony, melody, and suggestions for performance and improvisation. FreeWheeler is a two part composition written for the great trumpeter/flugelhorn player/composer Kenny Wheeler. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic.com Keith Davis Music Check out my new Substack:...

A pianist can fulfil several roles in Jazz performance. We can perform as a soloist, with no accompaniment. We can accompany singers or other instrumentalists. We can perform in all kinds of ensembles, from duo to Big Bands. Good accompanists are sought after! Accompanying is an indispensable skill for the Jazz pianist. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithd...

Accompanying singers and other instrumentalists is one of the most valuable skills a Jazz pianist can have. Good accompanists are always in demand. Follow me as we talk about how to develop the skills you need to become a great accompanist! I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic.com Keith Davis Music Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music...

I'm psyched to have Greg Tardy as my guest on Notes. Greg is a wonderful saxophonist and clarinetist, a composer and recording artist. He has played, toured and recorded with some of the greats, Elvin Jones, Rashied Ali, Andrew Hill, to name just a few. He continues to work and play with a whole roster of our great contemporary improvising musicians, as well. He is on a couple of my favorite Andre...

David Berkman is well-known in the Jazz world. A prolific pianist and composer, he has many recordings under his own name with many of the finest names in jazz. He is also highly respected as an educator and teaches at Queens College in New York. Also, he has written several influential books on the subject of Jazz Education. The Jazz Harmony Book is a resource I use in my own teaching. There is a...

Ron Brendle is one of the most well-respected and in-demand bassists in the Western North and South Carolina region. He has played with everybody, including a long list of Jazz greats. Ron and I have been friends and musical colleagues for quite a while. He's on both of my trio recordings: Keith Trio , and I'm on one of his quartet recordings: Ron Quartet . I'm pleased to have Ron as my first inte...

If you are an aspiring vocalist, there are some important things you should know! Listen to my pro tips on preparing for that all important first performance. I often work with vocalists as an accompanist and as a coach. If you are interested in working with me, I offer free consultations here: Talk with Keith I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic....

In this episode, we discuss basic skills necessary to become proficient at playing Jazz. This is for all instrumentalists, not just pianists. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic.com Keith Davis Music Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Welcome to Notes on Jazz! I thought I should introduce myself and talk about how I discovered Jazz and eventually came to be a professional musician. I'm glad you're here! I hope you find something interesting and useful for your self. I am available for online or in person study. Reach out to me at: keith@keithdavismusic.com Keith Davis Music Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and M...