Russ Nolan’s September 2014 DownBeat Magazine Woodshed Article

Russ Nolan’s September 2014 DownBeat Magazine Woodshed Article Featured in Keyboard School – DownBeat’s Guide to Learning Jazz Download the PDF:  NYC Saxophonist Russ Nolan Downbeat Magazine Woodshed September 2014   Russ Nolan | Jazz Educator and Clinician Bring Russ to your School for a Jazz Workshop and Concert

Read more

Book Review: Jazz Tactics by Chase Sanborn

  by Russ Nolan Jazz Tactics by Chase Sanborn Writing a ‘How To’ book that is both educational and entertaining is a monumental challenge. Most read like an appliance manual and are prescribed for insomnia. It is the genius who makes the complex simple and Chase Sanborn

Read more

Travis Sullivan – New Directions CD Review (Posi-Tone Records)

CD Review of Travis Sullivan’s New Directions  by Russ Nolan     Although New Directions was released two years ago, it is certainly worth another listen—or several. One value that NYC Alto Saxophonist/Composer/Arranger Travis Sullivan and I share as composers is to craft a set of music

Read more

John Ellis’ Tenor Sax Solo Transcription from ‘It’s You I Like’ — ‘You Are Special’

‘A Special’ John Ellis Solo  by Russ Nolan Note: it takes a minute before the manuscript focuses on YouTube. The PDF can be downloaded here. How many of you remember the classic children’s TV show, ‘Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood’? Well, even if some of you didn’t grow up watching

Read more

Bobby Stern’s Slick Licks That Stick!

Slick Licks That Stick! Book Review by Russ Nolan I recently purchased Tenor Saxophonist and Jazz Educator Bobby Stern’s e-book entitled Slick Licks That Stick! after discovering his B Natural jazz blog. Since digging in, I can’t put it down. It is now part of my daily practice.

Read more

25 + 6 = 3: Dance as a Gateway to Latin Jazz—and vice versa

Bridging the Dance and Jazz Artforms  by Russ Nolan 25 + 6 = 3: After playing jazz professionally for 25 years and dancing Salsa for 6, I have 3 observations regarding Dancers and Musicians (though not mutually exclusive): 1)     Non-musicians can find ‘1’ In a rare lecture-style

Read more

‘Tell Me’ CD featured on WBGO The Checkout

‘Check out’ the Interview with WBGO The Checkout Host Josh Jackson on Russ’ latest release ‘Tell Me’ HERE           Link to this post!

Read more

“What’s So Funny?”

“What’s So Funny?” Joining in the Jazz Conversation by Russ Nolan Have you ever asked that question when observing a group of people who suddenly erupt in laughter? You want to be part of the party, not on the Outside looking In–don’t you? Attending a concert and

Read more