Jerry Williams Clinic with GK Jazz

On Tuesday, September 23rd the Jazz Ensemble welcomed guest artist, Jerry Williams to clinic the band during rehearsal.  Mr. Williams is a Chicago native, professional musician and NIU student. He was able to open the bands eyes for a better understand of Jazz Style. He worked with the whole band and demonstrated stellar interpretations of the stylistic nuances of Basie, Ellington and Horace Silver.

Mr. Williams was also able to gives a taste of a well seasoned improviser as it took a few choruses on the Horace Silver tune "Filthy McNasty." He displayed his confident understanding of the blues scale and how to form a melodic and tasteful solo from the original melody.

Time really flies when your having fun and that period flew by! The GK Jazz Ensemble students obviously enjoyed and appreciated his presence and seemed to gain a great deal of understanding through this session. 

Thanks Jerry for your time!