Denison University

Snuggled out in the rolling hills of Granville, Ohio is this neat little private college of Denison University. Each year in the fall Denison and it's jazz guitar instructor, Tom Carroll, hosts a fun filled weekend of lectures, mini concerts, and two full concerts by some of the best jazz guitar talent in the world. This primarily for the students of the university, however it is open to the public, also - FREE!!

Past (and future) guest jazz guitarists have been: the late Kenny Poole, Gene Bertoncinni, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jack Wilkins, Howard Alden, Rick Peckham, and Trio da paz (featuring the very scary Romero Lubambo.) Local jazz guitarists Tim Cummiskey, Chris Bizzelli, Stan Smith, bassist, Doug Richeson, and, of course, Tom Carroll also lend a hand with their incredible talents. All in all - it's an event any guitar enthusiast should take full advantage of - whether they particularly like jazz or not. THIS IS SOME OF THE BEST GUITAR TALENT ON THE PLANET!

The format is usually a series of work shops and mini concerts held on Saturday at noon by the local guitarists and afternoons by the guests. Then, there is an evening concert on Saturday of the guests. Later that evening they take some amps up to the second floor of Brews (a local watering hole and eatery) where everybody plays until the law says they have to leave.

Sunday afternoon there is a grand concert where all guitarists play.

Here's a review we did up on the 2005 Festival (click)

2009 Denison University Jazz Guitar Festival (Press Release)

Saturday and Sunday, October 31st & Nov 1st.

Burke Hall of Music and Art - (MapQuest)

Burke Hall is not the "red star" - but, just West (left) almost to Cherry.St. Burke Hall is a white building visible from W Broadway (the main street through Granville), but actually on W College. On the north side of a block made up of W Broadway (south), Cherry St (west), W College (north), & N Mulberry (east). There is parking lot at Burke Hall, but very small. Try it first - but, then circle the block above until you can find a parking spot...

Guest Guitarists will be:

Richard Smith/Hot Club of Nashville (Sat - 31st)

Rick Peckham - (Sun - 1st)

Schedule:

Saturday

11:00 a.m. - OPEN JAM SESSION, hosted by TOM CARROLL
12:00 p.m. - Stan Smith - "Five Things"
01:00 p.m. - Tim Cummiskey - "Essential Elements of Jazz Improv"
02:00 p.m. - Chris Buzzelli - "How to Play Tunes"
03:00 p.m. - Rick Peckham - "Improvising Over Secondary Dominants"
04:15 p.m. - MEET AND GREET with THE HOT CLUB OF NASHVILLE
07:30 p.m. - Concert with The Hot Club of Nashville and The Tom Carroll & Andy Carlson Duo

Sunday

04:00 p.m. - Grand Finale Concert with Rick Peckham and appearances by the various clinic presenters