Bass lessons at JWA
Here at Jazz Workshop Australia you can take individual lessons on a wide range of jazz instruments. All our teachers are leading professionals: world - class educators and performers. Lessons are available in thirty minute and one hour slots.
Students of all ages and standards are welcome. Jazz Workshop caters to students who want to learn to play jazz or who are looking for an alternative to traditional exam-based teaching methods. Electric bass lessons are available from Monday to Saturday. Double bass lessons are available Monday afternoon and evening.
Bass
Brendan Clarke, Dip Mus. (Jazz)
Double bass and Electric Bass
Brendan Clarke is a graduate of the Canberra School of Music at the Australian National University. He was the 2001 winner of the prestigious National Jazz Award at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival.
With over 15 years professional experience he is one of the most in-demand bass players on the Australian jazz scene and has played with a wide range of international and national artists including Kirk Lightsey, Barbara Morrison, James Morrison, Vince Jones, Renee Geyer, Bernie Mcgann, Dale Barlow and George Washingmachine.
Brendan teaches both the double bass (specializing in jazz) and the electric bass and can cover all contemporary styles, theory, improvisation and reading for beginners to advanced students. He is also available as an accompanist.
Saul Richardson, B.Ed (Hons), MACE
Electric bass
Saul Richardson is a guitarist and bass player who graduated from the University of Sydney with First Class Honours in Education and the University Medal in 1995. He studied Jazz guitar under Steve Brien and Steve McKenna, and conducting with Jerry Nowak. He is an internationally recognized Jazz educator, and is the serving Australasian representative on the Executive Board of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE).
Richardson established and developed the renowned Jazz program at North Sydney Boys' High School, now widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence in its field in Australia. He was recognized by the (IAJE) at their January 2004 conference for his outstanding service to Jazz Education.
As a performer he has worked with many of Australia's leading Jazz artists and groups including Ed Wilson, John Morrison and Swing City Big Band, Andrew Firth, Roger Frampton, Don Burrows, Col Nolan, Keith Stirling and Tony and Bob Barnard. He has performed throughout Australia, the UK and Europe and in the USA. Mr Richardson is also director of the NSW Department of Education and Training Arts Unit Stage Band and has previously directed the Blue Riff big band and the Powerhouse big band. He is a founding member of IAJE in NSW and works as a clinician, consultant and adjudicator.
Some of Saul Richardson's past students have included Simon Ferenci, National Jazz Award winning pianist Jackson Harrison, Dale Gorfinkel, Jeremy Rose, Jamie Castrisos, Scott Simpkins, Robert Sidaway, Andrew Brooks, Martin Wieczorek, and many other fine young musicians now making their own mark on the Australian Jazz scene. Graduates of his programs and ensembles can be found studying tertiary music across Australia, working professionally as performers and educators, or simply appreciating and hearing Jazz with discerning ears.
Jazz Improvisation
All of the teachers at the Jazz Workshop can give lessons in jazz improvisation to any student, regardless of their instrument. Saul Richardson specialises in teaching improvisation to beginners and young players. Other JWA teachers, such as Jeremy Borthwick, Gai Bryant and James Ryan love to teach very advanced concepts.
So, whatever instrument you or your child play, one of our teachers can give lessons in jazz improvisation. Lessons can be either ongoing, occasional, or a short series. Call or email for details