July 29, 2024
Steve Bello: Rock Beginner Basics
The revered shredder and dedicated Music & Arts instructor shares his favorite tips and techniques for aspiring rockers.
Category: Artist Interviews
July 25, 2024
Lawrence Clemens: Trumpet Fundamentals First
The former principal trumpeter for the New Jersey Symphony and current Music & Arts instructor talks foundational techniques, embouchure problems, practice routines and that time Leonard Bernstein thanked him personally. Equally warm and wise, the veteran trumpeter Lawrence Clemens — Larry, to his friends and students — is the kind of educator who always has […]
June 27, 2024
Greyson Nekrutman: Play Hard, Work Harder
Famously, the late Buddy Rich didn’t push practice. The hot-tempered genius of jazz drumming, who began his career as a child prodigy, liked to say he learned his craft by performing. Rich also trash-talked rock drummers, though he did tackle arrangements of rock songs in his popular big bands. Which begs the question: What would […]
June 25, 2024
10 Things We Learned About Julian Bliss
What were you doing when you were 10? For the clarinet virtuoso Julian Bliss, it was time to start studying music at the university level. So he packed his bags and moved thousands of miles away from his home in the U.K., enrolling in the Artist Diploma program at Indiana University. “It was the most […]
November 16, 2023
A Journey Through Sound and Soul: An Interview with Kirk Whalum
We sit down with Grammy Award winning sax legend Kirk Whalum in the second episode of our ongoing Music & Artists series. Renowned saxophonist Kirk Whalum, with his deep roots in Memphis, Tennessee, embodies a rich musical heritage that spans genres and generations. In a recent interview, Whalum delved into his musical upbringing, the profound […]
November 2, 2023
Tuned to Perfection: The Resonant Tale of Instrument Maker Miles O’Malley
Melding Tradition with Innovation in Instrument Making From the delicate, meticulous work of a seamstress to the precision required in the repair of musical instruments, Miles O’Malley has woven together a life of dedication, craftsmanship, and innovation. Deeply influenced by the art of making things by hand, Miles is a testament to the idea that […]
September 19, 2023
The Rhythmic Realm of Lindsey Stirling: An Exclusive Interview
The Unyielding Spirit of Lindsey Stirling In the realm of music and performance, few artists captivate audiences quite like Lindsey Stirling. From her electrifying violin performances to her intricate dance routines, Stirling is a symphony of talent, merging classical with contemporary in a blaze of dynamic showmanship. With multiple chart—topping albums, a fanbase that stretches […]
March 1, 2019
Interview with Marcus Strickland, UYS Cover Artist
World renowned saxophonist and composer Marcus Strickland is helping to frame jazz music in a captivating new context. Named “Best New Artist” by a 2006 JazzTimes reader’s poll, and “Rising Star” in 2008 and 2010 by Down Beat magazine, Strickland breathes new life into jazz with a fearless musical philosophy that embraces hip hop, funk and soul. […]
October 24, 2018
Interview with Matt Johnson from Matt & Kim
Matt Johnson got his start in music by playing the sax in middle school band and guitar in punk bands on the side. While at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute, he met Kim Schifino (drums) and they formed Matt & Kim to produce indie electronic music. Renier Fee, director of marketing at Music & Arts, caught up […]
September 1, 2018
Choosing the Right Trumpet Mouthpiece
I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a specialist on the trumpet – for the most part, I play a certain style of jazz and stay in the middle range of the horn. As such, I’m not always the best guy for certain types of gigs and sessions. I don’t play classical music, I’m not a […]