2 years later…
Andrew Youngren (admin) | October 25, 2010
Hello, this being the first blog post on Jazz Everyone.com I think its appropriate that I introduce myself. My name is Andrew Youngren and I'm a friend of Uncle Willie's on Orcas Island, Washington. A couple of years ago, Willie took me out to lunch to talk with me about his idea to create a website for teaching jazz. I'm not a jazzer, but I do have a little experience with video production and web design, so he figured I was the right guy for the job. Then he told me he couldn't pay me, and for some reason I agreed! Looking back, I don't know what I was thinking! Anyways, Willie and I started filming some lessons, not really knowing what the final product would be. We put up a "temporary" site while we built this site. Little did we know that the temporary site would be up for so long. Well, that was almost two years ago and here we are.... I think it was worth the wait. This site has everything on it that Willie and I talked about back at our lunch date. And.... it keeps getting better! Somewhere along the line we came up with the "immersion" idea, and that has been a great hit. Now we want to start bringing in guest musicians and teachers to bring some diversity to the site.
So now you have a little background of me and the Jazz Everyone site. I'm the guy to talk to about anything not Jazz related. If you are having any issues with the site, anything isn't working properly or whatever... Also, we want this site to be awesome, and you guys/gals know what will make it awesome. So, if you have any thoughts, ideas on what could make this site better drop me a line, drop Willie a line, we're always open to suggestions. Thanks, Andrew
I just wanted to say Thanks to Willie (my friend and mentor for over 30 years) and anyone else that has helped with this site.
I can see that this will be such an excellent tool for me and my students. It is like taking a private lesson from Uncle Willie. For slow learners like myself,I love the fact that you can stop at anytime and go over parts again and again until you get it right. Those who know Wille I am sure will agree that seeing him on the screen is an added inspirational bonus. For those who don’t know him,I can assure you he is one of a kind and has a heart as big as his trumpet sound. He is one very cool dude!!!!
With this site I know I will be taking “Giant Steps” toward my goal of becoming a late bloomer.
Thanks to All !!!!!!
David Kobberdahl
Yo David …. one of my sons and brothers in jazz. We have traveled many miles together…. from my tumble off the West Des Moines stage during my NEA residency when I met David almost 30 years ago, to our times at the Oz in Kirksville while doing another residency at NEMS, to the formation of the CJC in Greater Des Moines with David as my Outreach Director, and most recently, my visit to West Des Moines where I watched David, a mature and seasoned teacher grooming his killer jazz band for another festival trophy. Not to mention, that my late blooming friend is kicking it out of the park on that bugle … with more to come. Dig in on those Chromatic Drills, dude, and they will take you the next mile!
Hugs …. Willie T
Dynamite …. we’re there, dude!