Jamey Aebersold
Jamey Aebersold was born July 21, 1939, in New Albany, Indiana. He attended college at Indiana University and was graduated in 1962 with a Masters Degree in Saxophone. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by Indiana University in 1992. He also plays piano and bass. In 1989 the International Association of Jazz Educators voted Jamey to their Hall of Fame at the San Diego convention. With this award Jamey joins other jazz luminaries such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and others.
Jamey is a nationally-known saxophonist and authority on jazz education and improvisation, and has developed a series ofAebersold Play-A-Longs -- book and recording sets (now numbering over 90 volumes) -- as well as various other supplemental aids for the development of improvisational skills. The Aebersold book and recording sets allow a musician the opportunity to practice and improvise with well-known jazz personalities at home as well as in the classroom. The recordings employ some of the best jazz musicians in the world. This concept has been responsible for changing the practice habits of thousands of musicians around the world.
Jamey was one of the first to encourage small group classes which concentrate on jazz improvisation, and he is the director of theSummer Jazz Workshops which now have a 30-year record. Jamey feels that improvisation is something all people can do—and his clinics and lectures concentrate on demonstrating how the creative and spontaneous nature of each person can be brought to light.
These week-long Summer Jazz Workshops are having a profound effect on musical communities around the world. The Workshops have traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England, Scotland, Denmark and Canada. Every summer there are at least two week-long Workshops in the U.S. These camps employ many of the finest player/teachers in jazz and are open to any serious jazz student regardless of ability or age.
On October 4, 1987, CBS' "Sunday Morning" with Charles Kuralt and Billie Taylor featured Jamey with the Summer Jazz Workshops in an exciting jazz education segment.
Jamey has taught at three colleges and universities in the Louisville, Kentucky area and has made guest appearances in dozens of cities around the world. While conducting a jazz clinic in Brazil he produced a 110-minute video cassette which has become a best-seller. He currently teaches jazz improvisation at the University of Louisville.
Jamey's hobby is listening to jazz, especially new young players. He also enjoys playing basketball and is very much interested in Metaphysics and spiritual pursuits as they apply to the growth of the individual. He has hit 50 free throws in a row!
Jamey has been a driving force in America's native art form, Jazz, and continues to kindle the fires of musical imagination in those with whom he comes in contact.