The individuals whom I find inspiration
in embody in their work and achievements a drive, originality, purpose, intellect
and focus which I feel are qualities worth building in oneself to work and
achieve success in the same fields. The term “musician” just might not entirely
convey that someone who plays an instrument creatively also operates in the
world as a scholar, intellectual, philosopher, educator, or perhaps worker for
social and artistic justice. Another idea that does not often come to mind when
the musician title is brought up is the idea that a player of a musical
instrument is also a community creator/participant and someone who
conceptually parallels their spiritual and social awareness along with their
music making. I find these qualities in individuals like Vijay Iyer, Hafez
Modirzadeh, and Dr. Anthony Brown who all are scholars in cross-cultural
exchange in music making, who all practice an outward participation and
cultivating of their musical and creative communities, who utilized higher
education to achieve the highest levels of expertise and yet stay true to a
creative spirit. I also find inspiration in the music and careers of Nels Cline
and Charlie Hunter. I find tremendous inspiration in their improvising,
performing, and writing yet both are also intellectually brilliant minds and
who did not earn their expertise through academia yet have achieved tremendous
success and notoriety for their unique and creative voices. There is great value in
hearing them discuss the professional and creative aspects of the music world.
As I reflect on my experiences I find
that those things that interest me have manifested in certain skill sets or at
least things that I can cultivate to create more skill sets. I understand the
principles of quality in relation to music making. Much of this has come from
listening back to records of myself playing different gigs and rehearsals and
has allowed me to develop an intuitive sense of my personal aesthetic in
ensemble dynamic and composition. As much as I enjoy attaining knowledge I also
enjoy imparting knowledge I find to be a crucial in my learning process that I
then seek to analyze and interpret in order to impart. I am a seeker of fresh
ideas and information to conceptualize, discuss, demonstrate and teach. I have
a skill set that comes from my seven years of building professional experience.
These skills include leading bands, arranging paying gigs, finding paying
students, bringing musicians together, sharing the benefits of a communal
practice, composing music that players find unique and interesting, professional
and musical reliability.
MUSICIAN, TEACHER with
7 years experience playing and teaching professionally in San Francisco and
elsewhere around the Bay Area. Multiple
styles of guitar and electric bass including Jazz, Funk, Rock, Blues, and
Experimental music. Performances at venue shows, cafes, wine bars, restaurants,
corporate and private events. Unaccompanied jazz guitar playing, trio playing. Teacher
of private lessons for beg/int/adv guitar, electric bass, and theory.
Arrangements for small/medium ensembles and notate charts and scores. Composer
of original music in all of the above styles. Studio-produced CD of original
funk music and countless live recordings all representing the variety of
different playing scenarios and styles.
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