Low Eh!

I finally, after more than a year, got around to putting my jazz posters, photos, and pictures up in my studio. I never realised how much of an impact it would have on my students after just a few weeks.

Everyone has smiled when they walked into the studio for the first time since the walls went from bare to covered. It’s really interesting to me to see which players catch my students’ eyes first. If think that most students look for someone who plays the same instrument.

It also provides an opportunity for conversation starters – Do you recognise anybody on the walls? Or who is that? And I can provide some background, or my experiences with some of the players. I can send them home with listening assignments for certain players that they see, and I think that adding the visual element creates a stronger connection for some.

I also have tried to have a mix of past and present players, and also players who my students can relate to.

Here’s who has “made the wall” so far –

• John Coltrane (x2) both a concert poster, and a sketch
• Anat Cohen
• Lauren Sevian
• Michael Brecker
• Charlie Parker
• Lew Tabackin
• Tim Price
• Earl Hines
• Sonny Rollins
• Lee Konitz
• Louis Armstrong
• Stan Getz
• Ben Webster
• Jerry Bergonzi
• Ronnie Cuber
• Jimmy Giuffre
• Nicole Glover
• Paul Desmond
• Benny Goodman
• Michael Blake
• John Ellis
• Cannonball Adderley
• Melissa Aldana
• Grace Kelly
• David Sanborn
• Eric Dolphy
• Joe Lovano
• Gerry Mulligan
• Dexter Gordon

I broke Zoot Sims’ frame on my way to the studio, so he’ll go up once I get a new piece of glass cut.

There is lots more room, and there are so many great players that can go on the wall. Who should I add next?