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Bill Farrish

Bill Farrish has performed and or recorded as a leader in various groups ranging in size from solo to quintet and also released six CD’s for MCR Records. His music has been featured on several radio broadcasts in Europe the Far East and South America. As a sideman Bill has performed with Bernard Purdie, David Garibaldi, Arthur Prysock, Ray Alexander, Jimmy Halperin, Cecil Bridgewater,Kiku Collins, Wes Belcamp, Steve Kenyon, and Off-Broadway productions of The Man of LaMancha, Lil’ Shop of Horrors, Hair and Tapestry.session work for gold and platinum recording engineer Remo Leomporra Jr, the bands StrangeColud, QCC, Kim Novak and many others.Television credits include: Bea Moss Productions and The Carl Bruno Show– TCI Cable, TV., featured artist in the independently released!production “An Evening with Bill Farrish” by Raven Productions, QPTV. composer of the theme and incidental music for The Park, Eun Kyung Show– Radio Seoul, Flushing NY. Born to a military family in St. Albans, NY, Farrish grew up on Long Island, where he began playing the guitar at age 12. Like many teenagers at the time, he started out imitating Chuck Berry and B.B King licks. But it was the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock that attracted him to jazz. Farrish enrolled at Five Towns College of Music where he teamed up with other students to play local clubs and bars. Bill graduated Five Towns College with degrees in Jazz Performance with honors. As a student he was the recipient of the Tiny Grimes Memorial Scholarship for jazz guitar and received two consecutive Awards for Excellence in Jazz Performance. After graduating from Five Towns with a BM in Jazz Performance , Farrish headed to Manhattan where he quickly began to establish himself on the local jazz scene. It wasn’t long before Bill was signed to MCR Records, a small label out of Minneapolis, Mn, which lead to the release of 6 CD’s. Bill also appeared as a regular headliner at Manhattan’s Mikell’s, The Angry Squire and other Manhattan venues. Farrish also held a weekly gig at the Village Lantern on Bleecker St. for 4 straight years.

As a sideman Farrish has performed in both concert and club settings with:

Wes Belcamp, Robin Radus, Paula Berardinelli, Neil Waltzer, Bernard Purdie, David Garibaldi, David Gomez, Tito Puente Jr., Mike Portnoy, Jimmy Halperin, Steve Kenyon, Vince Scuderi, Dennis Bram,Kiku Collins, Cecil Bridgewater, Mike Fijal, Greg Bobulinski, George Berardinelli, Eric Goletz, Dennis Wilson, Kim Novack, Arthur Prysock, Dave Ambrosio, Terry Newman, John Ray, Bobby Brennen, Tony Romano, Joe Carbone, Peter Rogine, Dave Kain and many others.

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“Bill is one of the most musically creative guitarists I’ve ever heard…..the ideas flow from him effortlessly.” —Carl Bruno/host of the Carl Bruno Show,TCI Cable, Brookhaven, New York

“If you want to hear some excellent and intensely reflective playing in a small- combo format, check out this and the rest of the songs on “Dialogue” –Jazz Fusion Central ( Dialogue)

”Improv tracks, original and barely produced. It’s Zen recording time, kids and this talented duo pulls it off. ….Farrish and Radus are able to fly on their axes and the musical axis and the result is pleasing, moody, smooth and greatwith a cup of ultra-strong java”. –Frank Cotolo, – Pure Reviews (Dialogue)

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Credentials/Background

All levels beginner - professional Bill Farrish is an world class educator: his instruction, guidance and deep knowledge of music has left a lasting indelible impression on students from several countries around the world.. He is an adjunct lecturer of Jazz Guitar at SUNY Oneonta, NY., and spent 11yrs. as co-head of the guitar dept. at Five Towns College. Where he also taught all Ear Training and Jazz Harmony Courses from beginner to advanced levels. Bill has shared his knowledge with a great many gifted musicians, many of who have gone on to very successful careers in music. Whether your goal is becoming a world class player, or just a part-time music enthusiast, I can help guide you to improve your playing. Bill’s thoughtful musical diagnosis, and individually tailored straight forward program blends theory, technique, and creativity. Some of the Topics covered include: -Effective Practicing methods -Applied harmonic concepts and application -Advanced chromatic concepts -The art of listening -Technique, nuance, dynamics, phrasing -Polyrhythmic applications -Jazz Improvisation For Guitarists: Lessons include, Chord Melody -Jazz Improvisation -Modes and Arpeggios -Effective Practicing Methods -Applied Fingerboard Harmony -Advanced chromatic concepts and application -Technique, nuance, dynamics, phrasing -Polyrhythmic applications -Sight Reading While Jazz and improvised music is the main focus of study it is important to note that all lessons are geared towards helping students become proficient in all styles of contemporary music. BM Jazz Performance , Five Towns College, NY 1992 AA Jazz Performance, Five Towns College, NY 1988 ————————————————————————————- From former students and colleagues Former students…………………… "I was lucky enough at an early age to get to study with Bill as well as even getting to play with him in an ensemble. He introduced me to Michael Breckers "Nothing Personal" album. We actually played a few songs from that album, and I remember those songs kicked my butt!!! "I remember Bill Farrish teaching me the harmony of what was going on with those songs, my modes, and the most important, the bassist on that album Charlie Haden. It was my introduction to Charlie and his bass playing. Lucky enough I went off to finish my BFA at Cal Arts where I got to study with Charlie, what a treat that was. So Bill has a lot to offer and if you have the chance to study with him, take advantage of it! Thanks Bill " ... Bobby Brennan, professional bassist "While at SUNY Oneonta, I was able to work with Bill Farrish in an ensemble as well as private lessons. The ensemble was a small group with the direction of becoming avant garde. Bill was able to not only share his experience, but he challenged everyone in the group harmonically and repertoire wise. It was refreshing to be challenged instead of accepting mediocrity in program not expecting excellence. When I told Bill that I had wanted to go to grad school for jazz, he took it upon himself to school me for an hour a week in private harmony lessons. Not only were these lessons the boost i needed to help me get into the program at queens college, but I also found I had a greater understanding of harmony than many of the other students who went to prestigious schools and working professionals. Bill Farrish was the only person to explain tritone subs correctly. Bill Farrish is a great teacher, but also a great motivator. Guitar students should be lucky to work with such a talented and knowledgeable teacher." .....Andrew Grau "For the past two years, I've been luck enough to study with Bill Farrish at Suny Oneonta. His explanations in lessons have been very clear and have opened me up to a variety of ways to look at improvising, comping and composing. Every single lesson I have learned something new that I can take and immediately apply to my guitar playing. His structure of the material makes complete sense and has helped me to build my skills and knowledge effectively. He explains practicing techniques and exercises to you so you have a foundation on which to build a practice routine. That really helps to focus you so you can learn more efficiently. A huge thing I've learned with Bill is harmony, which is so crucial to everything really. The amount of harmony he's taught me has changed how I look at soloing and comping and has improved my knowledge and playing in those areas so much. Bill's patience with students and commitment to music are unmatched. When he teaches, you can see the passion he has for this art form and it inspires you to do your best...and that's what he expects. I have grown so much studying with Bill and I'll continue to grow afterwards because of all the material we've covered and the lasting impression his teaching has made on me. If you are looking to grow as a guitar player, or musician in general, you've found the right teacher with Bill."....... John Resch “Bill Farrish is one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had. He opened my mind and my ears to music in a way that no other teacher could. Changing the way I hear and play music for the rest of my life. Bill also guided,supported and encouraged me in all my musical endeavours and I am eternally grateful. Thanks Bill”- Dave Kain – ( jazz guitarist & recording artist ) “I learned more about music with Bill in one semester of study than I did in 4 years of college” – John Machado co-chairman of the Audio Recording Technology Division of Five Towns College, Dix Hills N.Y. "Where Should I start? I remember coming my first lesson Bill Farrish I could barely play a scale or even a chord, but with his patience and guidance in five semesters I performed a full recital. He went beyond what all my teacher would go. I remember I could not afford summer lessons but we worked something out. He was honest, patience, and a great teacher. He taught me so much to cover me 10 years for me practice. Thank you Bill. I hope more students would understand that he not teaching you just guitar, he is teaching you MUSIC"... Jose Mendoza “Bill is an excellent musician. His deep understanding and appreciation of music is reflected in his compositions, performances, technique, and teaching methods. Learning from Bill helped to give me the foundation I needed to grow as a musician.” – Brian Eisenpresser, guitarist, producer and columnist for Guitar World Magazine From Colleagues…………… “Bill Farrish’s dedication to teaching and his deep knowledge of music makes him a great choice for anyone looking to get to a higher level. He has the increasingly rare gift of old school knowledge and ethics, coupled with a modernist’s sensibility of melody,harmony, and rhythm.” -Tony Romano(recording artist & adjunct faculty at Five Towns College, Long Island University, and a Teaching Artist for the Kupferberg Center at Queens College.) “Bill Farrish is a very knowledgeable musician. He has an organized system of teaching that is excellent and has a consistent track record of turning out skilled musicians. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced musician I highly recommend studying with him.” Peter Rogine, Chair of Five Towns College Guitar Dept., Dix Hills N.Y

Clinic/Workshop Information

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