and Lecture/Demonstrations
Zabap brings a wealth of experience and inspirational teaching to your school. Six of our seven members are professional teachers, in settings from primary through graduate programs. This breadth enables us to offer clinics and workshops on a variety of topics, both practical and academic. Have us spend a day on your campus, spread us around, and let us work!
CLINICS / WORKSHOPS
Latin Jazz Ensemble (Eugene, Julian, Steve)
Eugene and Julian co-lead the Latin Jazz Ensemble at the Vermont Jazz Center. Both have taught Latin jazz in a number of settings, and Eugene’s compositions are featured on recordings by nationally known Latin jazz artists. Steve has worked in many salsa and Latin jazz bands. Together, the three will coach your existing Latin jazz ensemble or take your jazz ensemble in a new direction.
Jazz Ensemble (Jamie, Eugene, Doug)
Jamie and Eugene lead jazz ensembles at the Vermont Jazz Center and several other venues, while Doug is a well-known New England drumset teacher. Their sharp-eared coaching brings fresh ideas to any jazz ensemble.
Jazz Theory (Eugene, Jamie)
A dynamic review of chords, modes, and stylistic approaches to jazz improvisation. This clinic can focus on a single style, or range through jazz history.
Understanding Rhythm (Julian, Steve, Doug)
A practical approach to rhythmic power and creativity. This workshop is not just for drummers—it’s for all instruments and voice. Hands-on exercises on students’ own instruments, as well as analysis of how syncopation and polyrhythm work, help students increase their rhythmic understanding, accuracy, and freedom.
Composition Through World Music (Derrik, Julian)
Julian in Zabap, and Derrik in his ensembles Simba, Brazilliance and SuperString Theory, have worked extensively with world music models for jazz and pop composition. In this workshop they demonstrate how students can use the exciting sounds of both traditional and contemporary world music in their own songwriting, while avoiding the usual clichés.
Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Ensembles (Julian, Derrik, Steve)
In this workshop we break out the drums and percussion and lead students on an introductory journey into Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Julian has taught these styles for over 30 years; Derrik has led numerous Brazilian workshops; and Steve teaches congas and percussion at the University of Vermont.
West African Drumming (Steve, Julian, Derrik)
Another chance to break out the drums. Steve has studied Senegalese/Guinean djembe for many years with Hafiz Shabazz, Ibrahima Camera, and Osei Appiagyei, while all three teachers have a background in the Ewe drumming of Ghana. This workshop can introduce both Senegalese and Ewe styles so that students get a taste of the breadth of music in West Africa, or it can focus more closely on either tradition.
Music in Elementary Education (Derrik, Steve)
Derrik and Steve have both brought music into the primary school classroom for many years. Derrik teaches at the Greenwood School in Putney, Vermont, where he specializes in music for children with learning disabilities. Steve has had numerous artistic residencies in grades K-12 throughout New England.
Improvisation (Derrik, Eugene, Jamie, Julian, Steve, Doug)
Method and madness for freeing the creative spirit.
Instrumental instruction and coaching (all group members)
Individual or small-group instruction on students’ instruments of choice, including trumpet, violin, guitar, piano, acoustic and electric bass, drumset, and percussion.
LECTURE/DEMONSTRATIONS
Zabap members present lively lecture/demonstrations in academic classroom settings, suitable for high school, undergraduate, or graduate programs. We suggest:
Jazz History (Julian, Eugene)
Both Julian and Eugene have taught jazz history at several colleges and universities. Within the field of jazz history, Julian’s specialties are Latin and free jazz; Eugene’s are piano and improvisational styles.
Caribbean Music (Julian)
An introduction to Caribbean music featuring both popular and traditional sounds. Julian will adapt this presentation to suit your needs: it can focus on Cuba or the French Antilles, or take in the Caribbean as a whole; it can link to African-American music in the U.S., or to African traditions.
Ethnomusicology/World Music (Julian)
Understanding music through culture: The amazing variety of the world’s musical sounds, or, why do they sing like that? Recommended for anthropology courses as well as music—ask your Anthropology Department to split the honorarium!
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Julian Gerstin, Ph.D. In addition to leading Cuban and Brazilian ensembles, Julian teaches ethnomusicology, jazz history, and rhythm studies at Clark University and Keene State College. He has previously taught at Wesleyan University, Marlboro College, Sonoma State University, and San José State University. Julian has presented his research into French Antillean music and rhythmic analysis at numerous academic conferences.
Eugene Uman, M.A., is the Artistic Director o f the Vermont Jazz Center, where he also teaches Jazz Theory and co-leads the Latin Jazz Ensemble with Julian. Eugene is also Adjunct Instructor in piano, composition, and jazz theory at Amherst College and previously taught piano at the University of Massachusetts.
Jamie MacDonald, B.M., has served as Educational Director of the Vermont Jazz Center, and has led jazz ensembles both there and at Chelsea Music in Keene, New Hampshire.
Derrik Jordan, B.A., is Music Instructor at The Greenwood School in Putney, Vermont, a highly regarded school for children with learning disabilities. Derrik has also led numerous percussion workshops throughout New England.
Steve Ferraris, B.A., is Adjunct Instructor of Percussion at the University of Vermont, Burlington. For over twenty years he has held numerous artistic residencies in K-12 schools throughout New England. Steve has also presented percussion clinics at the Urbino Jazz Festival Music School, the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, and the University of Vermont Summer Clinic for music teachers.
Doug Raneri, B.M., has an extensive private teaching practice.