Clinics
JOE
DENINZON: JAZZ ROCK FIDDLEFUNK SEMINARS
Exploring
alternative styles for strings
Strings have found their way into every style of music in recent years.
In addition to classical, country, and folk genres, you can hear
strings everywhere from rock, metal, pop, and jazz, to hip-hop,
electronic music, and funk. With orchestras undergoing financial
problems and orchestral jobs being increasingly hard to land, today’s
string player needs to be more versatile than ever in order to survive
and thrive as a working musician. A good foundation of technique and
classical training should be supplemented by an ability to improvise
and be familiar with a vast repertoire of music outside of the
classical realm. Composition skills, as well as a familiarity with
technology are also crucial.
Originally a classically trained violinist, Joe Deninzon has
established himself as a composer, performer, sought-after session
musician, and educator in a myriad of musical styles. In the rock
world, Joe has worked with Sheryl Crow, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep
Purple, Everclear, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. In the classical
world, he has been a soloist with the New York Chamber Ensemble and New
York City Ballet, and has performed with many orchestras and festivals
throughout the world. In addition, Joe is an accomplished composer for
film and TV, recent winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting
Competition, and string arranger for a diverse roster of artists. His
progressive jam/rock group, “Stratospheerius”, has won numerous awards,
toured the U.S, and released four critically acclaimed CD’s.
Joe has been called the “Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin” for his
innovative work with 6 and 7-string electric violins and his pioneering
use of effects to alter the traditional sound of the instrument.
As an educator with 18 year of experience, Joe holds two Bachelor’s
degrees in Jazz Studies and Violin Performance form Indiana University,
where he studied with the legendary Josef Gingold and David Baker, and
a Master’s degree In Jazz from Manhattan School of Music. He has given
clinics all over the country, including Berklee College of Music and
New School University, as well as the IAJE conference in New York City,
for which he received a citation for “Outstanding Contributions in the
field of Jazz education”.
Joe offers workshops for string players of all ages. The workshops
range from 30 minutes to two hours, and include the following:
-Basic to advanced improvisation techniques.
-A detailed demonstration of effects for electric violin and how they
can be used in a variety of musical settings
-Performances, call and response games and activities that involve the
students.
-Question/answer sessions. Discussions about the music business, and
opportunities available to string players.
Electrifying
your Strings: The “Effective” String Player
This
clinic has been given at the 2007 International Jazz Educator’s
Conference in New York, as well as for the string department of Berklee
College of Music.
Delay, distortion, wah, and the myriad of effects existing today are
common for guitarists, but still new to string players who want to
electrify their music. This clinic explores how to incorporate effects
and loops into improvisation and composition.
BOOK
CLINICS NOW: contact Joe
Watch Free Video of IAJE "Effective String Player" Clinic
Here are a few quotes from students, parents, teachers, and critics:
"Joe has a strong, creative voice. His work is sure to inspire
anyone who is looking for their own direction."
-Mimi Raabson-Professor of Violin/alternative
strings, Berklee College of Music)
“Katie is currently taking private lessons with a fantastic teacher,
Joe Deninzon, who is based in the New York City area. Although we
live in Delaware, I drive Katie (three hours) to Joe’s studio in his
New Jersey home for bimonthly lessons. His vast knowledge of rock,
jazz, fusion and classical violin has helped Katie become a better
alternative style violinist. Joe’s teaching style and sense of
humor would be appreciated and enjoyed by many other students.
Early this year, he gave a one-day workshop here in Delaware, where
violinists are hungry for alternative styles and it was a big hit. “
-Esther Jacoby, mother of student
"Veteran violinist/singer Joe
Deninzon presents us with this gift of hot songs from his rockin' live
shows. Think a bit of Zappa, the Dixie Dregs or Blues Traveler, with
the violin being the focal point. Joe's talents are flat out
phenomenal, and the progressive rock tapestry he weaves around himself
is carried out to perfection by his amazing back up band.
"
(musicmorsels)
"Live fusion hot as a habenero! These
guys kick major colon! The feel is Jeff Beck meets Takanaka with a hint
of Dregs - hot rockin' jazz fusion that never lets up. Deninzon is
wicked on electric violin - his fingers are on fire! Jake Ezra matches
him note for note on guitar, and the rhythm section of Ron Baron on
bass & drummer Luciana Padmore are twin firecrackers."
(progsheet)
"On stage with strings smoking and
thoughts flying faster than a Concorde on Amphetamines...Deninzons
compositions are living, fire-breathing monsters...this proves it once
and for all, for all those who bother to pause and listen and all those
who can't help but be drawn in by Deninzon's musical magnetism."
(seaoftranquility.org)
” .... it’s no surprise that he is a monster player. Deninzon
loves jams when there is a purpose and this live album offers ample
evidence of that. Although he is an accomplished classical player he
says it is the freedom of rock and jazz where you can turn a mistake
into a new musical idea. And it’s that that really interests him. If
the violin has a future in rock and jazz it is with Joe Deninzon.”
(RELIX)
To reserve a workshop, please call:
201-244-9627
Email: jdeninzo@gmail.com