Born: October 5, 1977 Primary Instrument: Piano
Jeremy Woolhouse is a jazz musician based in Melbourne, Australia. He is known as a composer and pianist in a variety of jazz settings. Jeremy also teaches piano and Alexander Technique.
Born 5th October 1977 Jeremy had some early lessons on the Yamaha Electone, then switched to trombone before taking up piano at the age of 19. He studied music at Box Hill College of TAFE and Victorian College of the Arts before training in Alexander Technique at the School For FM Alexander Studies.
Jeremy’s music became recognised in 2002 with the launch of a jazz - tango fusion project called “Estuary Three”. Originally an instrumental trio performing Jeremy’s original compositions, the ensemble morphed into a project with dancers, vocals and included traditional tango repertoire. This venture established Jeremy as a composer and pianist whose style artfully encompasses European Jazz, South American and World Music influences.
The Woolhouse - Michailidis - Robertson collaboration with bassist Ben Robertson and guitarist Lucas Michailidis featured Jeremy’s composition and highlighted his improvisational prowess. The trio’s recording of the album “Ascent” received much critical acclaim and continues to be featured on Australian radio.
In 2012 Jeremy released recordings of a suite of solo piano works entitled “The Persistence of Dreaming”. He is currently working on a duet project with bassist Shannon Birchall with a recording due for release in 2013. Jeremy also leads “Silverbeat”; a quartet featuring his own compositions alongside woodwind multi-instrumentalist Lachlan Davidson, bassist Georgia Weber and drummer George Andrews. Jeremy continues to perform standard jazz repertoire with bassist Jo To and drummer George Andrews in “Trio Kestrel” and frequently works with vocalist Emma Gilmartin.
As a teacher, Jeremy is recognised for specialist skills in applying Alexander Technique to piano and other musical instruments. His teaching of jazz piano is also highly regarded.
Recordings:
2002 “Thumbnails” (self released) With Jade Leonard: vocals, Rohan Anderson: drums, Michael Meager and Shannon Birchall: bass, Anthony Shultz: piano accordion
2010 “Ascent” (self released) With Ben Robertson: bass and Lucas Michailidis: guitar
2012 “The Persistence of Dreaming” (self released) Original solo piano compositions
2013 (expected release) “Birchall and Woolhouse” Duet recording with bassist Shannon Birchall
“Quiet, spacious music” Mal Stanley - Jazztrack, ABC Classic FM
“Gently limber, lyrical modern jazz, with whiffs of Brazil ... compositions all by Jeremy Woolhouse, but he leaves plenty of space for the other performers to leave their mark on them.” Doug Spencer - The Weekend Planet, Radio National
“I strongly urge you to see this band ... [Ascent] is a great album … they are all quite exceptional musicians. It's got a real european ECM label feel to it and I really like the musical landscape atmosphere that's created. It is more of an ensemble type of jazz, rather than [featuring only] solos” Ross Nable - Australian Jazz Hour, PBS FM
“drop the shoulders, let the day wash away …” Julie Howard - Classic Drive ABC FM
“Lovely, quite delicate and introspective music ... Moody atmospheric and driving - very lyrical I think.” Dan Nilsson – On the Corner PBS FM
“Beautiful music from a very talented pianist, composer and band leader. Very interesting and relaxing. A fantastic recording.” Zara Thompson - Music in Melbourne 3MBS
“Very nice, have played it quite a few times” Therese Virtue - Music Sans Frontieres 3CR
“Lovely lilting melodies, very relaxing, looking forward to hearing more” Desi D – Australian Jazz Hour PBS FM
“PIANIST Jeremy Woolhouse wisely welcomes the “deliciously fresh slant” that Lucas Michailidis (guitars) and Ben Robertson (bass) bring to his compositions in their debut album. The serene, flowing piano benefits from their gentle improvisational exchanges, the bass adding strength and Charlie Haden-like melodic warmth, the guitar subtle inventiveness. Woolhouse’s approach is rounded, never sharp, and smooth rather than cutting, favouring continuity over space” - Roger Mitchell Sunday Herald Sun
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Primary Instrument:
Piano
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Since 1999, Jeremy has maintained a thriving private teaching practice. He currently teaches from Glen Iris, Melbourne, Australia
Jeremy has two areas of particular expertise: teaching jazz to experienced players; and application of Alexander Technique to piano playing.
Jazz Piano Lessons
Jeremy works with a range of students, solo and ensemble, recreational or professional specialising in teaching jazz to students with prior piano training (jazz or otherwise). He has developed targeted techniques for students wishing to make the transition from classical or fully notated music genres into jazz and improvised forms. The programs that he has refined offer a fun and engaging alternative to mainstream piano pedagogy. For each student a structured process is tailored to the specific learning styles and needs.
Paramount in a study of music is the student’s enjoyment of the process. When the process of learning is fun, students are motivated to practice and make the most of their time at the instrument. Students are encouraged to play the music they enjoy listing to, in addition to new music chosen by the teacher.
Working from recordings, studying improvisation and creating composition all develop aural ability. Attention to these skills helps build spontaneous, relevant and original renditions of tunes. Not feeling particularly “natural” as a student himself obliged Jeremy to form step-by-step procedures to address these (and other) aspects of music study.
Music reading, theory and piano technique are all areas which enhance the abilities a musician needs to match his or her skill with a desired musical intention. Each is addressed in a context that makes them relevant to the student – not in isolation or as ends in themselves. With the student’s consent, some physical contact is used to aid learning of technique.
“[The student] may have gained some insight into music, or may just have continued to work on where he is at that point, which will eventually lead him to his goals. I am satisfied with a lesson when the student leaves knowing what to do, believes they can do it, and can't wait to!” – Jeremy Woolhouse
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Perform and live with ease - harmonise your body, mind, music and life
Teaching Alexander Technique since 2006, Jeremy Woolhouse is a professional pianist with special interests in working with musicians health, performance optimization, RSI, neck pain, back pain and injury rehabilitation.
Jeremy has been using Alexander Technique as a musician since 1998, lending him a deep appreciation of the application of Alexander Technique to professional performance. In 2006 he completed the 4 year teacher training to gain an Advanced Diploma of Alexander Technique Teaching and has been practicing in Glen Iris since. Specialist areas include Alexander Technique for musicians and performing artists, RSI management, neck pain and back injuries.
Alexander Technique coordinates thinking and movement. Its hallmarks are ease, integration and fluidity. The Technique addresses symptoms of a vast range of ailments as it works with the whole person. Through Alexander Technique, students learn to independently manage health and wellbeing, improve efficiency and optimize specialist skills.
