Jazz guitar lessons

Saul Richardson is principal at Jazz Workshop Australia, director of the JWA Summer Jazz Camp, a guitarist, bassist, and jazz educator. He gives jazz guitar lessons, electric bass lessons, jazz improvisation lessons, and runs the JWA jazz combos program.

He has a PhD in jazz pedagogy and sociology from the University of Sydney and 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) where he was elected representative for Australasia and Asia.  Saul also lectures in jazz pedagogy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Richardson established and developed the renowned Jazz program at North Sydney Boys’ High School, which during his tenure 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.

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 also directed of the NSW Department of Education and Training Arts Unit Stage Band, the Blue Riff big band and the Powerhouse big band. He was a founding member of IAJE in NSW and works as a clinician, consultant and adjudicator.

His students have topped the state in HSC music, won awards, passed conservatorium auditions, and made careers for themselves as professional musicians.

Some of Saul Richardson’s past students have included Richard Savery, Simon Ferenci, National Jazz Award winning pianist Jackson Harrison, Freedman Fellowship winner Emma Stephenson, Dale Gorfinkel, Jeremy Rose, Jamie Castrisos, Scott Simpkins, Grant Arthur, Siebe Pogson, Nick Henderson, Andrew Brooks, Martin Wieczorek, and many other fine young 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.

Saul is the author of the JWA jazz performance levels exam syllabus. He teaches jazz guitar lessons Tuesday-Thursday, and Saturday.

If you need quality guitar lessons on the lower north shore, then do consider JWA. The lessons are at our studio in St Leonards, just 5 minutes from the station and near the Crows Nest shops and cafes.

Jazz Improvisation

All of the teachers at the Jazz Workshop can give lessons in jazz improvisation to any student, regardless of their instrument. Saul Richardson specialises in teaching improvisation to beginners and young players. Other JWA teachers love to teach very advanced concepts.

So, whatever instrument you or your child play, one of our teachers can give lessons in jazz improvisation. Lessons can be either ongoing, occasional, or a short series. Call or email for details