Count Basie HS Big Band Clinic

Three high school jazz bands from the NYC metropolitan area participated in a clinic on big band playing presented by Dr. Edward Joffe at Local 802 on 11/2/17. This clinic was open to the public and funded by Music for a Sound Future and The Council for Living Music. This particular session featured music associated with the Count Basie Orchestra. Each school was sent one big band chart to prepare for the clinic composed/arranged by artists whose work is largely associated with the Basie Band tradition—Frank Foster, Ernie Wilkins and Sammy Nestico. All of the charts emphasized the concept of “swing”—the most essential element of the jazz discipline. Continue reading  Continue reading 

The Clarinet Doubler on Broadway

This video shows excerpts from a presentation I gave at the 2017 International Clarinet Association Conference in Orlando, Florida entitled “The Clarinet Doubler on Broadway.” I was accompanied by three woodwind doubler friends who have all performed in numerous Broadway musicals: Rick Heckman, John Cipolla & Devin DiMauro. We explained how the work scene has Continue reading 

Woodwind Doubling Clinic

This video shows excerpts from a clinic I presented at Local 802, AFM in New York on 9/21/16 entitled “The Art of Woodwind Doubling.” During this session, I worked with three different saxophone sections—one from LaGuardia HS of Music & Art; another from Purchase College; and a group of young professional New York doublers. We touched on a variety of topics relevant to woodwind doubling and saxophone section performance including posture, breathing, volume, section blend, embouchure, equipment, in addition to how to practice doubling. I hope you’ll find the video enjoyable and helpful.

“Ed, my kids came in today and were really poppin. The whole band noticed. You brought them so much in a very brief amount of time. Thank you so much!”   —Kevin Blanq, Jazz Band Director-LaGuardia HS of Music & Art, September, 2016 Continue reading 

The Art of Doubling

Part of the Ed Joffe Woodwind Doubling Masterclass Series, The Art of Doubling is a demonstration and discussion involving specific tips to improve one’s performance when switching quickly from one woodwind to another. Music from jazz, commercial and classical settings will be referenced. This class will look at actual parts that doublers have had to Continue reading 

The Doubles of the Doubles

Part of the Ed Joffe Woodwind Doubling Masterclass Series, The Doubles of the Doubles will include discussions and demonstrations of the secondary woodwind doubles including piccolo & alto flute; Eb & bass clarinets; and soprano saxophone. The class will detail the special considerations one must attend to with some of the more esoteric members of Continue reading 

Sax Section Performance for Pros

Part of the Ed Joffe Woodwind Doubling Masterclass Series, Sax Section Performance for Pros is a clinic concerning ways to improve one’s ability to function successfully within a saxophone section. A variety of charts from a diverse group of arrangers including Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Manny Albam, Marion Evans, Frank Foster and Thad Jones are Continue reading 

Reed Solutions

Part of Ed Joffe’s Woodwind Doubling Masterclass Series, Reed Solutions is a demonstration of equipment and techniques to improve the reed’s efficiency along with a discussion of diverse approaches for adjusting reeds. An examination of older and newer reed adjustment publications will allow the participants to gain a better understanding of the different methods that Continue reading 

The Total Saxophone

Part of Ed Joffe’s Woodwind Doubling Masterclass Series, The Total Saxophone is a clinic devoted to an approach that integrates classical, jazz, commercial and pop styles of saxophone playing in one’s practice. Selected etudes from the works of Bozza, Karg-Elert, Koechlin, Mintzer, Fishman and Snidero will serve as a means for discussing various challenges that Continue reading 

The Total Clarinet

Part of the Ed Joffe Woodwind Doubling Masterclass Series, The Total Clarinet masterclass will use selected classical and jazz etudes from Rose, Cavellini, and Artie Shaw as a means for discussing various challenges that all doubling clarinetists must attend to on a daily basis. These include legato finger technique; resonant articulations; flexibility and uniformity of Continue reading 

The Total Flute

Part of Ed Joffe’s Woodwind Doubling Masterclass Series, this class uses the classical etudes of Taffanel-Gaubert, Anderson and Karg-Elert along with selected solos by Frank Wess and Hubert Laws as a means for discussing various problems that all doubling flutists must attend to on a daily basis. These include developing a legato finger technique, attacks Continue reading 

Audition Strategies for College & Graduate School

Auditions to enter undergraduate or graduate school for music is always a harrowing time and experience. Oftentimes, the crucial factor in being accepted or rejected from any school is based upon one’s preparation more so than one’s talent or ability. As a student, performer, and ultimately a music educator, I have experienced and witnessed the Continue reading 

The Music Business: Past, Present & Future

The music business is a rapidly changing industry that requires its employees to become knowledgeable entrepreneurs. This presentation provides individuals with functional techniques and strategies that enable them to turn their passion into their business. Universities impart tremendous artistic and technical knowledge to their students throughout their training. This clinic complements that training by teaching Continue reading 

How to Develop a Jazz Studies Program

I have directed the jazz studies department at New Jersey City University for 20 years. During that time, I have created undergraduate and graduate jazz performance degree programs that have been lauded by some of the most respected names in jazz; hired a faculty of top New York professionals; brought world renowned guest artists to Continue reading 

Training the Student Sax Section

The development of the saxophone family in the mid-19th century led to its initial use in a number of ensembles where sections of saxophones were employed—military bands, orchestras, saxophone ensembles and wind bands. In the 20th century, vaudeville orchestras, musical theater orchestras and jazz big bands continued to make use of saxophone sections and added Continue reading 

Breathing Techniques and Exercises

Playing a wind instrument often requires us to have more air available than is normally necessary in order to generate sound. Furthermore, a more efficient use of the air is required in order to play for long periods of time without a new breath. In fact, many of the difficulties that arise in wind playing—a Continue reading 

Woodwind Doubling from A—Z

The emergence of the “woodwind doubler” in American music began in the 19th century. While many people first associate this type of unusually skilled performer with the players in Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra of the 1920s, multiple wind players have been in existence for centuries. The new sound reproducing inventions of the 20th Century (radio, audio Continue reading 

The Woodwind Concepts of Joe Allard

Joe Allard was one of the most important woodwind performers and teachers during his lifetime, 1910—1991. As a clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophone instructor at The Juilliard School, The New England Conservatory, The Manhattan School of Music, The Mannes School and at his studios in New York and New Jersey for 40 yrs., he literally Continue reading 

Flute Philosophies of Tom Nyfenger

Tom Nyfenger (1936-1990) was one of the most respected flutists, teachers and clinicians of his generation. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he established himself as that rare musician who could seemingly solve any musical problem and help others find their path. After a brief stint as solo piccolo player with the Indianapolis Symphony (1961–1963), he Continue reading