DjangoFest Mill Valley 2017
2pm Workshop with Jason Vanderford
Rhythm Guitar Workshop “Strength and Dynamics in the Rhythm Chair”
In this workshop we will go over all the nuances of the rhythm guitar that Django Reinhardt himself developed spanning his career. We will also focus on how to make your groove powerful, punchy yet relaxed at all tempos ranging from dreamy ballads to breakneck speed jams. You will learn how this effects the other players in the ensemble, and how your role can elevate not only the lead player but also the entire room. We will then apply these concepts to other kinds of rhythms typical in the genre of Manouche Jazz.
I have been fascinated by the rhythm chair for over a decade and still find it to be creative, thrilling and not in the least bit boring. I will show folks the overlooked side of guitar playing and how this focus will ultimately improve their overall musicianship.
Jason Vanderford first heard the fierce sounds of Django Reinhardt back in 1996 when he was attending junior college… and was hooked ever since. He began studying the style seriously in early 2000’s and joined any group he could in the Bay Area that was playing in a swing tradition. When he joined the Hot Club of San Francisco he decided to focus absolutely on the rhythm guitar aspect of Manouche Jazz and swing. Since then he has played with countless wonderful musicians in either jam sessions, workshops or official gigs with musical heroes such as Howard Alden, Joscho Stephan, Charlie Baty, Sam Miltich, Doug Martin, Gonzalo Bergara, Lulo Reinhardt, Birelli Lagrene just to name a few. Jason currently plays with Michael Zisman’s Americano Social Club, The Seth Ford Young Quartet, Clint Baker’s New Orleans Jazz Band and leads his own band, Junk Parlor.
