For the past ten years, Eastman School of Music Assistant Professor of Jazz Guitar, Bob Sneider, has been hosting and conducting free Jazz Workshops during the Rochester International Jazz Fest (RIJF). This year, from June 20 through 24, a series of five structured workshops will be held, led by five different musicians performing at RIJF. The workshops are open to music students and jazz lovers of all ages.
“The workshops started out as a one-day event the last Saturday of Jazz Fest. Originally for kids, over the 10 year history of the event, the program has grown into educational workshops that are an international arts learning experience for all. I call the workshops ‘informance,’ a combination of informing and performing,” Sneider said.
Each artist leading a workshop approaches their presentation in their own unique way. “Some musicians work on specific skills, some on a single skill, all the artists play music that inspires. Everyone walks away feeling that they learned something new, recharged, wanting to practice and elevate their play. It has a positive impact on young musicians and inspires adult students to enrich their lives through music,” Sneider said.
The workshops are also for those people who might not have the opportunity to get involved in music. “All students, adult and youth, are inspired. The very young children have no inhibitions, the middle schoolers are a little more involved, and the high schoolers are very involved and very present. Many go on to study music in college. It is very gratifying for me to see a kid who came to the workshop educational program go on to become an amazing player,” Sneider said.
Some students attending the workshops are in bands and attend to play with a different group of musicians; it helps them play better in their bands. Some that attend the workshops are not players, they are simply interested in jazz music and the process of playing jazz.
As a music educator, Sneider works with area schools in their music programs. On April 1, Sneider conducted a music workshop as part of the Churchville-Chili School District’s Evening of Jazz. As part of the program, he worked and performed with the students. He also performed a short set with an all star group of Eastman School of Music undergraduate students. About the experience, Sneider said, “I am always happy to work with students of all ages. School teachers reach out to me periodically to do these types of workshops. It’s super fun for me, too. After the past two years of COVID-impacted education, the students are super pumped to interface with a professional musician. The students at CCCSD were just a delight to work with.”
These types of special jazz workshops are scheduled directly between Sneider and the band teachers in the individual school district.
Rochester International Jazz Fest Jazz Workshops are sponsored by Wegmans
Workshops are held at Eastman School of Music, 26 Gibbs Street, Room 120–1st Floor
June 20 through 24, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Workshops are free. No registration is required.
Attend one or more days.
Open to music students of all ages.
This series of five structured jazz workshops provide the opportunity to play, meet, listen to, and learn from professional jazz musicians performing at the festival.
Schedule of workshops:
Monday, June 20, Jazz Piano Workshop with Michael Weiss
Since arriving in New York in 1982, pianist, composer, arranger and educator Michael Weiss has forged a formidable career working in the bands of jazz legends Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, George Coleman, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath and the Heath Brothers, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Jon Hendricks, Lou Donaldson, Junior Cook/Bill Hardman, as well as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Mingus Epitaph Orchestra. Weiss’ 15 year association with Griffin, yielded four recordings and annual tours in the USA and around the world. Weiss is one of only a handful of musicians from his generation to have accumulated such a wealth of performing experience with dozens of jazz icons.
Tuesday, June 21, Jazz Trumpet Workshop with Mike Kaupa, Trumpeter
Mike Kaupa has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan. From 2001 through 2005 he was a member of the faculty at the annual Seminario de Jazz, in Barcelona, Spain. He was an interim professor of jazz trumpet at the Eastman School for the 1999-2000 school year and the spring semester, 2010. Among others, he has performed with Jorge Rossy, Ben Monder, Mark Murphy, Gary Bartz, Luciana Souza, Joe Locke, Mel Torme, and Ray Charles. Mike holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Fredonia State University and a Master of Music degree from The University of Miami. He is currently on the faculty of The Harley School, Finger Lakes Community College, Eastman Community Music School and the IfCM Collective.
Wednesday, June 22, Jazz Guitar Workshop with Bob Sneider
Bob Sneider is the Eastman School of Music Assistant Professor of Jazz Guitar / Senior Instructor, Eastman Community Music School. Before joining the Eastman faculty in late 1997, Sneider toured for several years with two-time Grammy Award winner Chuck Mangione. Other notable performers with whom Sneider has performed, toured or recorded include: Nat Adderley, Joe Locke, Don Menza, Lou Donaldson, Joey Defrancesco, Pat Bianchi, Gary Versace, Pat Labarbara, Grant Stewart, Ken Peplowski, Gerry Niewood, Chris Potter, Roy McCurdy, Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, Frank Strazzerri, Jon Faddis, Keeter Betts and frequent appearances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Pops (guitar/banjo). Sneider has performed in major festivals, concert halls and jazz clubs throughout South America, Central America, North America and Europe. Sneider is a graduate of the University of Rochester where he studied with Bill Dobbins and Ramon Ricker.
Thursday, June 23, Jazz Saxophone Workshop with Tommy Smith
Tommy Smith is a leading light in European jazz, first and foremost as one of the finest saxophonists of his generation, and latterly as the founder and current director of The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO). These career-defining achievements are framed by his status as an international recording artist; a composer and arranger of extraordinary ambition; and not least, as a jazz educator.
Friday, June 24, Jazz Workshop with Gene Perla & Adam Nussbaum, Drums and Bass
Gene Perla brings decades of experience not only as a player but as an educator and independent label owner to the mix. He has performed with Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Don Alias, and Elvin Jones to name but a few. He has worked as an educator at Lehigh University, The Center for Media Arts and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Adam Nussbaum has shared the stage with such luminaries as John Scofield, Eliane Elias, Stan Getz and James Moody. He also recorded the Grammy winning LP “Don’t Try This at Home” with Michael Brecker. He is a sought-after educator, and Sonor drums and Zildjian cymbals have both sought Adam’s advice in product development.
On April 1, 2022 Sneider conducted a music workshop as part of Churchville-Chili School District’s Evening of Jazz. On left, Allison Chipman, Wind Ensemble Director and Swinging Saints Director, Churchville-Chili CSD and on right, Bob Sneider, Eastman School of Music Assistant Professor of Jazz Guitar, working with the Junior High and Senior High Jazz Band. Photos by Karen Fien
