Josh Workman

Josh Workman is an internationally traveled guitarist, composer, educator, journalist, and audio editor who teaches at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. Performance and recording in groups or as sideman: Josh has performed and/or recorded with Larry Vuckovich, Lynda Carter, Margaret Cho, Debbie Harry, David Grisman, John Jorgenson, The Jazz Passengers, Jon Hendricks, Maria Muldaur, Houston Person, Groove Collective/Groove Thing, Deanna Martin, Indigo Swing, The Hot Club of San Francisco, Benny Green, Harold Jones, Akira Tana, Corinne West, The West Coast Ramblers, B-Stars, and many others. Performance and recording as a leader: The release, ‘Jumpin at the Border’ reached #24 on the JazzWeek national radio charts and received critical acclaim, garnering four out of five stars on All Music Guide and receiving the International Association of Jazz Educators Blue Chip Award - among the top four instrumentals of the year. Performances in support of this release included Yoshi’s in Oakland, Jazz at Pearl’s in San Francisco, as well as the Jazz Bakery in L.A. and various venues in the Southwest. Recording for television, video games, and apps: Performed and recorded all guitar samples for the 'Archtop' sound library for Impact Soundworks. Recorded, performed and edited various guitar (electric, acoustic, lap-steel) and mandolin parts for the Dead Island2 video game. Performed various guitar parts for production house, Music Orange, including Garageband (Apple app); Ubisoft and El Pollo Loco TV commercials. Teaching: Has taught privately for thirty years plus guitar, composition, theory, and jazz/rock band classes at San Francisco School of the Arts, Marin School of the Arts, San Francisco State University, Jazz Camp West, Blue Bear School of Music, Marin Community Music, and for music clinics while on tour. He currently teaches various guitar and recording classes at Musicians Institute in L.A. Journalist: Has written many articles and done video and audio lessons for Guitar Player, Acoustic Guitar, and other publications since 1999. He is currently awaiting the release of his first instructional book from Stringletter Publishing. Composition/arranging/audio editing/app development: In addition to writing his own jazz and World Music originals, Workman has been working as a composer and audio editor, primarily for the creative wing of The Elfenworks Foundation (since 2009). His work can be heard on ‘Ireland, The Celtic Way’ (winner of best documentary at the L.A. 3-D Film Fest), ‘What Green Can Be,’ (official selection of The Sedona Film Festival) and a wide variety of audio and video projects that benefit clients of the foundation. He also functioned as project manager, audio engineer, composer, and audio editor for The Breathing Butterfly (children’s meditation app), which has received great reviews from parents, educators, and hospitals. Josh also split the audio cleanup duties for Kurt Weitzmann’s film about Margaret Cho’s “BeRobin” campaign, which is in post-production, as of Fall, 2015. Transcriber: Transcribed music for roughly seventy-five transcription books through Warner Bros, Hal Leonard, Advance Music, and others. The styles varied wildly and included such artists as Pantera, Iron Maiden, BB King, Santana, The Eagles, Bob Marley, T-Bone Walker, John Scofield, Joe Pass, John Abercrombie, and many others. Education: B.A. in music from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, also attended Berklee College of Music (on “Jim Hall” and “Professional Music” scholarships). Graduated from San Francisco School of the Arts (high school). Teachers include: Jim Hall, Gene Bertoncini, Tuck Andress, Bruce Forman, Vic Juris, and Ray Scott, among others.

Awards

International Association of Jazz Educators Blue Chip Award - among the top four instrumentals of 2004

Gear

Endorsements: -Sadowsky Jim Hall Model w/extra Pickup
-Thomastik-Infeld George Benson strings -John Mello acoustic

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CD/LP/Track Review

Jumpin' at the Border by John Kelman
Jumpin' at the Border by Dan McClenaghan
Jumpin by Michael P. Gladstone
Jumpin' At the Border by Mark F. Turner

”There are lots of jazz guitarists out there who can play in a Django—Grappelli style, and many who can play bop or Latin jazz. But not many of them are equally comfortable in all of those styles, and that's just part of what makes Josh Workman very special as a guitarist and bandleader.” —Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

“...genuine integrity and soul on each and every track...['Jumpin' At The Border'] is one of the most enjoyable albums I have heard so far this year and I would recommend it to anyone.” —Joe Knipes, Jazz Improv Magazine

“An ambitious effort...some well—played jazz.” —John Ephland, DownBeat Magazine

“...a phenomenal musician...Workman's rich CD contexts and amazing performances serve as inspirational examples for jazz guitarists young and old

“An ambitious effort...some well—played jazz.” —John Ephland, DownBeat Magazine

“...a phenomenal musician...Workman's rich CD contexts and amazing performances serve as inspirational examples for jazz guitarists young and old. It is a spectacular maiden voyage.” —Dr. Herb Wong, Jazz Education Journal (Blue Chip Award — among the top four instrumentals of 2004)

“Even the most talented musician can have a tough time presenting a variety of styles on a single CD. There's always the danger of turning the recording into a hodgepodge that satisfies no one, no matter how dazzling the individual numbers. Bay Area jazz guitarist Josh Workman solved this puzzle with flair on his 2004 release, “Jumpin' at the Border,” his first as a leader. The CD showcases Workman's ability to plug into bebop, Brazilian, blues, Latin and gypsy jazz. The “solution” is the pulsing energy that sweeps through every track, in every style, and unifies the proceedings.” —Jerry Karp, San Francisco Chronicle (read full interview)

“...a great talent...[Josh Workman] can clearly burn — and his clear tone and crisp articulation are constants in his playing...an excellent player with a fine band.” —Jason Bivins, Cadence Magazine

“...as good as it gets...Workman proves a traditionalist who's not afraid to kick it up a little.” —Vintage Guitar Magazine

“...indeed a highlight of this year.” —All About Jazz

“This is a delightful set with guitarist Josh Workman displaying impressive versatility...easily recommended and thoroughly enjoyable...” —Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene (December 2004 issue)

“...a smooth-as-silk jazz guitarist with an ear for Latin grooves...” —Hispanic Magazine

“It's a fun 72 minutes...Four—stars” —The Montreal Gazette (Canada)

“...Workman's playing which, regardless of style, demonstrates a devotion to authenticity, while at the same time staying approachable and consistently engaging.” —All About Jazz

“Workman is an unusual talent...a true all-rounder and a good time guitarist...” —Jack Massarik, Jazzwise Magazine (UK)

“'Jumpin' At The Border' is an always—swinging, eclectic collection of dynamic performances...This is an impressive debut that is another good reason to return to the City by the Bay” —Joseph Blake, The Times Colonist (Victoria, B.C.)

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Fairfax, CA

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced students

Credentials/Background

I have been teaching for twenty years, back in New York and here in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to my own studio, my teaching includes classes at San Francisco State, Jazz Camp West, Blue Bear School of American Music, clinics all over the U.S. w/ the Hot Club of San Francisco, and about seven years worth of lesson articles for Guitar Player and other magazines.

Clinic/Workshop Information

A couple of the classes that I enjoy teaching are: BEBOP SOLOING FOR GUITAR, Josh Workman, beg-int; This class introduces a set of tools that, though rooted in bebop, will help students develop strong phrasing in any musical style