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Gusten Rudolph

I started taking drum lessons when I was four. The child of two musicians, music was always in my life and from my earliest memory I was drawn to drumming. I kept playing and practicing through middle and high school (where I was in the jazz band and led the drumline) and graduated from Rutgers University with degrees in Jazz Performance and Music Education.

Now, my career consists of playing professionally with different ensembles throughout the Tri-State area and working with students of all ages helping them experience the joy and challenges I so greatly appreciate about the process. I offer private lessons (that’s probably why you’re here!) and also teach in various middle and high schools in the area, including the Strath Haven drumline during marching band season.

Professionally, I have been fortunate to be featured on some incredible recordings and to have toured Asia and across the United States playing with different groups. Music is universal and offers us so much, whether it is connecting with others, expanding our own skills, understanding ourselves better, or simply building passion and resilience through learning. My philosophy includes a focus on teaching the musical skills while fostering the life lessons that will help my students be successful in all of their endeavors.

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7
Album Review

Elliot Bild & the Zone: ISMS

Read "ISMS" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


A textural and improvisational tour de force from Elliot Bild and the Zone, ISMS, recorded live, consists of ten selections—nine of which are Bild originals—and offers up an evening of intelligent and enlightening jazz. “Army of Aliens (Your Thoughts)" opens the set and is a classic hard-bop burner with Bild and saxophonist Hudson-Casanova lifting off the launch pad. “Lines and Dots" is a tasty bossa with an angular melodic head reminiscent of Oliver Nelson's symmetrical melodic patterns.

4
Album Review

Jonathan Saraga Quintet: First Vision

Read "First Vision" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


When young artists release their first album, it's always tempting to say they “show potential" or “are off to a good start," but those comments tend to be kindly veiled takes on “you get an A for effort, but should have waited a bit longer." Jonathan Saraga need not worry about having such pacifying comments thrown his way; the trumpeter's First Vision isn't the stuff of amateurs on the brink of musical maturity, it's a stand-up-and-take-notice offering. ...

2
Album Review

Jonathan Saraga Quintet: First Vision

Read "First Vision" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Trumpeter Jonathan Saraga opens his debut, First Vision with the eleven-and-a-half-minute original, “Guidance," a probing rumination that flares up during his solo. The tune as a whole is a slow burn, but it bursts into high flames as it comes to its conclusion.The leader has assembled a fine quintet of standard configuration--two horns, a chording instrument (here, guitar), bass and drums. The music, all Saraga-penned, has an uncommon freshness coming from a 24 year-old artist who is well ...

3
Album Review

Jonathan Saraga: First Vision

Read "First Vision" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Award-winning trumpeter Jonathan Saraga's First Vision, is a skillfully conceived and exquisitely realized debut that brings to mind the edgy, envelope-pushing hard bop of many a Blue Note record in the early 1960s. The modal melodies are artfully orchestrated, allowing each musician the full breadth of his spontaneous creativity without resorting to unfettered clamor. Not a single note is wasted. Whether on trumpet or flugelhorn, Saraga's clear, elegiac tone weaves intricate musical tales around the themes. “Guidance," ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Santa's Sleighin'

Self Produced
2021

buy

Voice = Power

Next Level
2020

buy

ISMS

Self Produced
2020

buy

First Vision

Blue Truffle Music
2015

buy

Santa's Sleighin'

From: Santa's Sleighin'
By Gusten Rudolph

Parallels of Latitude

From: ISMS
By Gusten Rudolph

This is Our Moment

From: Voice = Power
By Gusten Rudolph

The Reiki Practitioner

From: First Vision
By Gusten Rudolph

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