Grant Langford: Blog

Check out some upcoming gigs to round out 2010.

This is a topic that gets talked about a lot in Jazz circles. These days Jazz is taught in some form at almost every College and University and most High School and Middle School. A good thing right? Of Course! The excitement amongst young aspiring Jazz musicians has probably never been higher. I have had the opportunity to give clinics for many students of all levels. Most of my contemporaries have followed this trend and sought out teaching jobs thus providing a sustainable income for their weakening performance income. Another positive right? Nice work if you can get it! Other friends are in the process of going back to school for the purpose of landing some of these plush teaching jobs. My question is at what point will teaching Jazz for the purpose of creating jazz players that can work as 'Musicians' be exposed for the pipe dream that it has become. Now I am sure that there will be comments on this siting musicians that are doing fine and even prospering. That is great [...]