Testimonials
"It was a pleasure to be at the workshop and I admire the energy both you and Marc invested into the three days."
(Angela Davis, Australia, 2011)
"I cannot even begin to describe how much I enjoyed the workshop. Thanks so much to you, Rose and Marc for allowing me to participate with this group of extremely talented musicians." (Joe Gold, USA, 2011)
"I was very pleased to know earlier this summer how far you have come with the Hudson Jazz Workshop and how you now have the organization and setting in place for giving more aspiring jazz musician the same kind of experience I've been so lucky to experience three times by now. You create a very special and inspiring learning environment that leaves no participant unchallenged - and unchanged - after the three days...For me the workshop has been a lifechanger in more than a musical and artistic sense. And I'm grateful for that." (Thomas Blomseth, Denmark, 2007-09)
"I'm so pleased to hear about this year's workshop. Hudson Jazzworks has been gaining traction year-by-year - and you deserve it. I especially like you're building a stronger connection to the Opera House. That was a very cool place to do a concert." (Thomas Blomseth, Denmark, 2007-09)
"Good luck for the concert tomorrow. Wish I was there. I miss you both (Marc Mommaas also); although Rose and her cooking are features of the workshop not to be dimissed so easily." (Pierre Guillemette, Quebec, 2010)
"I am so very happy and glad to have met you again! The workshop has been wonderful, I really cannot make up an idea before coming there! Your teaching is always admirable, and Marc is very fine too. Everything for me has gone the best way: a sweet place, your home, very good and enjoying scholars and good music. I'm now beginning to realize that I have been with you all in the States, and realizing what perhaps I learnt: Well, I think to have learnt a very good way to go on my working life in music, just the way I feel it, with a plenty luggage of precious suggestions and challenges. Thank You!! You and Rose have been so much fine to make me guest in your home, it has been a beautiful surprise after my long trip from home, and so kind from you both to think of it. Armen, I can't find the words to really say how much I am glad and satisfied of this marvellous occasion! I find something very important and very well done, and also I lived something which I never did in Italy: now I know I had to come, it was great!! For now Armen thank you so much for everything and for the great sincere love you and Marc put into those wonderful four days!! Please send Rose my best greetings and thanksgiving!" (Giacomo Franzoso, Italy, 2011)
Hi, I valued the workshop even more than the year before, which is high praise in my book.
I thought you struck the right balance between group playing, jamming (even though I was getting tired after 9 pm, I still liked playing till 10 pm), group discussion, private lessons/attention; communal activity (food/conversation); and an opportunity to play in a public concert. I especially value the experience of playing with musicians more talented than me. A real treat. - Steven Hartman, saxophone
Armen, I loved your workshop with Marc. Very inspiring! - Fred Haas, saxophone & piano
Dear Armen, I just finished converting and reviewing the recordings I made at the workshop. Wow!!! Every moment of the lessons and conversations contain gems of information to be practiced and absorbed! I can’t thank you and Marc enough for teaching and sharing! I’ve already begun the rhythm exercises. There is no way I will not get this under my belt!! Thank you for showing the way, and for the inspiration to follow!
Please thank Rose. Every thing was fantastic!! It’s impossible to beat homemade muffins and yogurt, fresh from the garden soups and vegetables, the very special farewell BBQ, on and on. It seemed effortless -- the sign of a great hostess. We know it was not!! Thank you, Rose!!
It was a treat to hear Jim McNeely. Struggling to write my first ‘composition’, it was very good to get his insight, not only on the creative part of composing and arranging, but also on the logistics of getting thoughts down using the computer. I’m sorry I missed the name of our special guest percussionist [Vanderlei Pereira] at the concert. I spoke with him afterwards to express my amazement at how much beauty he made with one small hand-held instrument. What a nice, nice man with such a beautiful spirit, and so willing to share. Thank you for inviting him to play.
Finally, thank you for all your efforts BEFORE the workshop. I don’t know what magic you performed -- but the people who gathered at the camp were all wonderful, and were, in themselves, an inspiration. And thank you for your thoughtfulness in placing me with Bill and Val, so close to your home. They were wonderful hosts! The whole workshop was a beautiful experience. This really hit home yesterday when I shared with my Mother the pictures I took at the workshop. Some of the better ones are attached. I will be thinking of you all year as I listen and count ... :) Thank you, again!! - Audrey Goldsmith, piano
Thanks again for opening up your home to us. It was such an incredible few days! It was so inspirational (both musical & culinary) I can't even begin to describe how motivating. - Ellynne Plotnick, piano
…A million thank you’s for the workshop this summer-I really felt like I grew a lot while I was there, and it has given me a lot of inspiration, as well as a lot to think about with where I'm at and what I want out of my life. Can you keep me posted on the plans for next year? I'd really like to rope off the weekend it's going to be next summer, as I'd really enjoy getting to participate in it again. It was a great experience for me, and I'm sure a year from now it will mean even more to me as a person and as a musician!!! - Billy Test, piano
Thanks again for a really inspiring and productive workshop. Only regret? It wasn't longer. And thank Rose for me, for her hospitality and great cooking. - Steve Hartman, Tenor Saxophone
I benefited greatly from participating. There was a positive spirit in the air at all times; it was inspiring. I have a strong desire to be a better player, to dedicate myself, and that is due to your approach to teaching and ability as musicians. - Doug Lehman, piano
The workshop was very challenging but also very rewarding. You and Marc had some really necessary and useful feedback for me. I really enjoyed meeting all the other participants. The diversity made for a very rich experience. - Dan Sedia, guitar
You and Marc were an inspiration to me. I dropped into your world briefly and came away approaching music with a new calm and flow. You both found a way to connect to the varied degrees of musical experience and abilities. I'm looking forward to booking time with myself and using the techniques that you and Marc spoke about. Thank you so much for your wisdom and experience and offering up your home and studio. I also want to thank Rose for her fine cooking as well as how she connected to all of us at meals and with her welcoming spirit. .......
I continually strive for the sounds and ideas I hear in your playing. The colors that come out of your choice of chords, voicings, rhythms, accompaniment, dynamics, contrasts of single notes and chord melodies create a flowing bed of sound as if conceived in nature. I think about some of the comments that came from both you and Marc in the workshop. You both not only demonstrated beautifully the ability to compliment and support each other in your duo playing, you spoke about the importance of listening and responding to each other. This is a critical piece for me. - Robert Kelley, piano
Thank you all again for a wonderful workshop and weekend. I have not had very much time yet to put into practice many of the things we discussed during the workshop due to work obligations and a planned vacation from which I just returned. I have, however, had time to reflect on the weekend (vacations are great for reflection) and what I have done to date. In retrospect, I think it will be the intangible things that I took away from the workshop that will prove to be (and have already proven to be) of great value to me -- even more so, I believe, than the many excellent specific practical suggestions that were provided.
I can tend to be overly critical of myself and my playing to the point where I lose sight of the beauty and enjoyment of the music itself. I find that, since the workshop, I am more cognizant of this and generally am more capable of enjoying practicing and playing (although the critic is not far away :-)). As a result, I find myself taking a few more risks in my playing (which is not always an easy thing for me). I'm not certain exactly what caused the increased awareness, but I attribute it in part to the positive workshop environment and the joy that was apparent in each of your own playing.
I also am trying to be more creative, yet focused in my practicing. I am making a concerted effort to spend time on fewer areas, but in a greater amount of depth. As a result of one of Marc's comments, I am spending time revisiting tunes that I had worked on before, but had not learned well .. before going on to learn new tunes.
As far as the workshop itself, I think you did a great job of striking a balance between a challenging learning environment and a fun time overall. The small group provided an intimacy and ultimately, I believe, led to a trust among the participants, that removed some of the initial fear and uncertainty and provided an environment that was conducive to experimentation and creativity. Working on Cathlene's original tune for the concert rather than focusing solely on standards was a good experience for me and forced me to step outside my "comfort zone."
Rose, I know you've heard this over and over, but it is worth repeating: your food was superb. Thank you (and Armen) also for opening your beautiful home to us for the purposes of the workshop. - Larry Eckert, alto saxophone