Bass Lessons

Bass lessons are available at JWA with Jacques Emery (double bass & electric bass) and Saul Richardson (electric bass). The lessons are held at our St Leonards / Crows Nest studio on the lower north shore from Monday to Saturday. Bass students at JWA have the opportunity to play in ensembles such as jazz combos of mixed instruments as well as regular private tuition.

Jacques Emery, B.Mus. Double bass & electric bass teacher

Award-winning Jacques Emery teaches double bass and electric bass at JWA studio in St Leonards/Crows Nest. He teaches jazz bass, classical bass, rock, and contemporary styles. He welcomes students of all ages and levels.

Jacques holds a bachelor of music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music majoring in jazz performance. He is an experienced and thoughtful teacher as well as a significant emerging voice on the double bass as a leader and collaborator. 

Jacques is a member of some of Sydney’s most celebrated jazz ensembles including the ARIA- nominated Zela Margossian Quintet, and HEKKA with Novak Manojlovic. He has performed as a member of the Australian Art Orchestra at prestigious jazz festivals in Berlin, London, Poland and Melbourne. Jacques is also in-demand as a freelance and session musician.

As well as jazz, Jaques Emery’s studies of classical music have also influenced his technique and broadened his musical skillset, having performed for many years with the Australian Youth Orchestra including their 2016 tour to Europe and China.

During his studies at the Sydney Conservatorium (2016-2019) Jacques received many accolades and awards, including the Dean’s award for Academic Excellence, SIMA’s Jazz Star of tomorrow, the BBM Youth Support Award, and the Henderson Traveller’s scholarship which allowed him to study with renowned improvisers in Oslo, Berlin and New York. In 2020 Jacques was nominated for the prestigious Freedman Jazz Fellowship.

As the double bass is  an unusually large instrument, poor technique can lead to ongoing physical problems in the neck, shoulders, back and arms. For this reason Jacques take posture and technique very seriously and tries to foreground these aspects in every lesson using clear explanations and simple analogies.

We recommend bass lessons with Jacques Emery for students of all ages and levels. Young beginners and adults are welcome.

Saul Richardson, PhD, B.Ed (Hons), MACE. Electric bass teacher

Dr Saul Richardson gives electric bass lessons at JWA in the St Leonards/Crows Nest studio.

Saul Richardson is Principal and co-owner of Jazz Workshop Australia. He is a guitarist, bass player, and one of Australia’s foremost jazz educators. He was awarded a PhD by  the University of Sydney for his ground breaking research into jazz teaching. He graduated from the University of Sydney with First Class Honours in Education and the University Medal in 1995. He studied Jazz guitar under Steve Brien and Steve McKenna, and conducting with Jerry Nowak. He is an internationally recognized Jazz educator, and served two years as Australasian representative on the Executive Board of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE).

Richardson worked from 1991 to 2011 at North Sydney Boys’ High School where he established and developed a well-known Jazz program, which became widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence in its field in Australia. He was recognized by the (IAJE) at their January 2004 conference for his outstanding service to Jazz Education. He also directed the NSW Arts Unit Stage Band for many years. leading them to a series of podium finishes at the National Stage Band Awards in Mt Gambier, including a first place in their debut year at the event.

As a performer he has worked with many of Australia’s leading Jazz artists and groups including Ed Wilson, John Morrison and Swing City Big Band, Andrew Firth, Roger Frampton, Don Burrows, Col Nolan, Keith Stirling and Tony and Bob Barnard. He has performed throughout Australia, the UK and Europe and in the USA. Mr Richardson is also director of the NSW Department of Education and Training Arts Unit Stage Band and has previously directed the Blue Riff big band and the Powerhouse big band. He is a founding member of IAJE in NSW and works as a clinician, consultant and adjudicator.

Saul’s HSC students consistently achieve outstanding results in music performance and gain entry to tertiary jazz studies courses. Provided a student is prepared to work, Saul can help them become an excellent player.

Some of Saul Richardson’s past students have included bassists Nick Henderson, Siebe Pogson, Casey Allen, and Jacques Emery. He also taught others including Simon Ferenci, Firedman Award-winner Emma Stephenson, National Jazz Award winning pianist Jackson Harrison, Dale Gorfinkel, Jeremy Rose, Jamie Castrisos, Oliver Nelson, Eric Tsai, and many other fine musicians now making their own mark on the Australian Jazz scene. Graduates of his programs and ensembles can be found studying tertiary music across Australia, working professionally as performers and educators, or simply appreciating and hearing Jazz with discerning ears.