DownBeat February 1983 [antikvár]

education in jazz_by Al DiMeolaAÍ DiMeoJa's latest album is Tour De Force "Live" (Columbia).1 went to Berklee when I was 17 (in 1973) and fresh out of high school.Berklee was my first ctioice for a number of reasons:, it had. and. I guess, still has. the biggest and best guitar program in the country, it was suppose to be a great place to learn arranging and composition; there were teachers like Gary Burton; and alumni like Keith Jarrett, Alan Broadbent, the La-Barbera brothers, Gabor Szabo. Mike Gibbs, and others.I wasn't disappointed. Berklee was everything I had expected. I still remember how exciting it was to be in a school (and city) where so much was happening.Every class was exciting. Everything 1 learned in each class applied to my instrument. It was all related. I found the harmony and theory classes very helpful; the arranging classes were phenomenalanything you wanted to know was open to you.I soon found that 1 was developing my own technique and whal 1 hoped to be my own style in the midst of a very active, busy school.1 left Berklee after my first year to join Barry Miles for about six months. Then after I had returned to Berklee. Chick Corea called me for Return to Forever. (He had heard me with Barry.) Things have been very busy since.I strongly recommend Berklee to student musicians who are serious about their music. 1 would caution them, however, lhal it's not a place for hobbyists or casual players. The pace is fast and the work demanding, but I know of no other learning experience that is more valuable.tor catalog and Information write to: BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC Dapl. 01140 Boyltton 8trt, Boston, MA 0221SOnmFor those who cannot attend Berklee at this time a special CORRESPONDENCE COURSE includesModern HarmonyImprovisationArrangingJau Composition, etc For information write toBERKLEE PRESS PUBLICATIONS, Dept. 0 RO. Box 489, Boston, MA 02199BY CHARLES DOHERTY"DEEBEES" '83 IS ON THE MOVEAND it's time for all U.S. and Canadian high school and college music students lo get going.What's "deebees"? Well, fione other than the annual down beat Student Recording Awards we've been handing out over the last half-dozen yearsonly in '83, for the first time, we're working in cooperation wilh (and have received the endorsement of) the National Association of School Music Dealers. Participating NASMD members and olher music industry sources will be contributing to a cash scholarship fund (more details next month).Once again Berklee College of Music in Boslon will be heading the scholarship list while Shure Brothers Inc. will be leading the industry awards. A Shure microphone will be presented to each individual winner in addition lo the director of the winning ensembles, "deebee" plaques, pins, and certificates round out the awards.The instrumental categories include jazz (soloists, groups, big bands, and studio orchestras), classical (soloists, chamber groups, symphonic bands, and orchestras), and blues/pop/rock (soloists and groups); top jazz vocalists (soloists and groups) will also be recognized. Addilional awards will goto the best composer, the best jazz arranger, and the top recording engineers (live ano studio). Any entry not falling neatly into one of these areas will be considered for special judges awards.Any 10- lo 20-minute performance by U S. or Canadian high school or college students is eligiblebul you must get it to us by March 1. 1983. Contact your local school music dealers for official application forms, rules, and recording tips brochure. (If your local dealers don't have them, fill out the coupon below and we'll see that they gel them.)Addilional tips may be gleaned from artists featured in this issue:Classic cornetisl Warren Vaché says, "Let's find out how to make a melody say what it's supposed to! make it swing, make it sing, and make it mean something. Just play the melodythat's taste, that's intelligence, and that's arta hard thing to do."From guilar guru Frank Zappa comes, 'The most direct way lo communicate with somebody [is by} using speech rhythms if you want to get beyond music into emotional content, you have to gel Ihrough that (capital 'M' musiclines, chord changes, and stuff like that-real studied) and just talk on the instrument."CONTINUED ON F%GE 56Enter now! down beat's1983 deebee AwardsApplications now accepted for the 6th annual down beat Student Music Awards competition. The 1983 deebee Awards are offered in two divisionsHigh School' and Collegein each of 18 categories: ('Awards to high school ensembles on three levels: AAASpecial performing arts HSs; AARégulai comprehensive senior HSs; and AJr. HSs.)I down beat/deebeeI 222 West Adams SI., Chicago, IL 60606I Please send me _ copies of the11983 deebee Awards brochure and Offi-I cial Application.I YourI Name_I Mailing I Address.!City_I State/zip_I Your school. I City-Your music & sound retailer;Mailing Address.BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTALISTS 1. Soloists 2. GnHjps' 3. Big Bands' 4. Studio Orchestras*