Accordionist Don Gerundo will present a workshop, “Learning the Language of Improvising” at the 2014 AAA Festival and Competition in Tarrytown, New York, July 9-13, 2014.
Learning to improvise is similar to learning a language. This workshop discusses an approach to learning the art of improvising. Many musicians have a strong desire to improvise but just don’t know where to start. Sometimes they are told to practice various types of scales and learn chords but it doesn’t seem to help them learn this craft and they become frustrated and give up. This workshop presents practical method consisting of exercises and tasks to help a beginner start to build a vocabulary of ideas and apply them to songs. Bring your instrument since this will be an interactive workshop that will welcome your participation or you may decide to just listen. Either way, all are welcome.
Don is an active accordionist and pianist performing in the New York metropolitan area. He is a versatile keyboardist who plays various styles ranging from popular American Standards from the American Songbook, Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll. He works with the Bensen-Scott Big Band, an 18 piece Jazz Band, has worked with a Rockabilly small group as well as society combos and Top 40 groups. He has performed and accompanied Lenny Welch (hit record “Since I Fell For You”), Joe Piscopo and has performed at Swing 46 in New York City, White Plains Theatre for the Arts, Coney Island Park and other large venues.
Don starting playing the accordion at age 10. During his later teens he studied with Tony Mecca (a native of Waterbury, CT.) Tony introduced him to popular and Jazz music and worked with him on harmony, theory, voicing’s and improvisation. During this time he started to perform club dates with some of the local leaders in the New York metropolitan area, as well as working at resorts in the New York Catskill area. This “On the job” training helped hone his Jazz skills, as well as build his repertoire. He continued to perform during his college years, while attending Ithaca College where he joined the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha as the first accordionist to be offered an invitation in that chapter. For the last several years, Don has focused on the Free Bass Accordion and exploring its use in the Pop and Jazz idioms by utilizing its flexibility in chord voicings, bass lines and general accompaniment.
Don is an active teacher of piano and accordion and focuses on jazz improvisation, harmony and chord voicings. He studied with advanced improvisation with Adolph Sandole, the brother of Dennis Sandole from Philadelphia who mentored many Jazz greats such as John Coltrane, James Moody, Michal Brecker and Pat Martino.
For further information: ameraccord1938@gmail.com
