I’ve had a fantastic first year teaching at Ottawa University. The spring semester is wrapping up with a Concert by all the campus jazz groups and the OU Faculty Jazz Quintet. The concert is Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel on the OU campus. The faculty group will be playing compositions and arrangements by our Director of Jazz Studies, Todd Wilkinson.

I’m already excited about next year. There are several fantastic players who will be starting school in the fall. It will be a real treat to help them on their journey. I am amazed at how much my own playing has benefited from the teaching process as I have reexamined various aspects of technique and harmony.

We still have scholarship money available for anyone who wants to study jazz and play in the ensembles. You don’t have to be a freshman coming straight from high school. We have a few professional players coming back to finish their Bachelor’s Degree. Please pass on my info to anyone who might be interested!

Next week I’ve got a great gig with the T.J. Martley Trio. We’ll be doing some original compositions and arrangements by T.J. and some tunes by Kenny Werner as well. It’s happening on Friday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. at Take 5 Coffee & Bar at 151st & Nall. T.J. Martley on piano, Matt Leifer on drums. This will be fun!