“JazzLabNY is special experience for the amateur musician who is looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to play music in a band setting with peers under the guidance of a music master. Russ Nolan is the maestro of JazzLab NY. He directs us in the group setting and provides exercises and guidance for self study between band rehearsals. We have developed in a short time a repertoire of classic jazz tunes. Russ’ passion for this music is infectious. You will grow exponentially from this experience, there is nothing like it out there” — Noah G.
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Whichever Season of Life you find yourself, JazzLabNY‘s Core Value is to help you enjoy playing your music MORE! Regardless of skill level, the only way to accomplish this is to improve through regular practice and group rehearsals, paired with a seasoned professional faculty who teach as good as they play. If you are looking for a “drop in whenever”–type playing opportunity then respectfully, the Meetup groups may serve you better. If you are willing to commit to your own musical growth over an extended period, then JazzLabNY will produce results!
SAXOPHONIST RUSS NOLAN – ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
“The greatest compliment I receive from a member of the audience is that they didn’t understand all the technical aspects of my performance, but that they felt like they were part of the Music (or the community)”. “When I’m teaching, the greatest satisfaction comes when a light bulb goes on in my student’s head and they discover they can achieve the next level” – Russ Nolan
Perhaps that is why DownBeat Magazine has consistently voted him onto their Annual Critics Poll and added his latest recording to the Best of 2016 issue. Russ Nolan’s music is often described as High-Energy Modern Jazz that both satisfies the intellect of its musical peers and speaks to everyone on a soulful level. Called a ‘renaissance man’ by those close to him, he has taken his experiences in sports, martial arts, business, after-school program volunteering, music education, and other activities to relate to a wider audience.
Having earned a Jazz Studies degree at the University of North Texas, Russ is an active clinician in jazz education, conducting over 100 workshops at the college and high school level. Combining this skill with his self-managed national touring as a jazz artist with 6 recordings, Russ brings a real world view to his students and gives them actionable steps to improve their playing/writing and make their own way in the Jazz world.