educator

Scott Gwinnell has spent the majority of his professional career supporting and furthering jazz education. He has instructed from elementary level kids up to jazz studies master's degree university students and professional level jazz musicians. Gwinnell has taught in many areas of education from fine arts and jazz camps, lecture halls,  and classrooms, to name a few. His foremost specialty is composing and arranging but is equally competent in teaching improvisation, history, and music notation. Gwinnell comes from a 4th generation of teachers and considers it his second love next to performing.

                                                                      Gwinnell performing with students and fellow faculty members at Murphy's Jazz Club (Toledo, OH).

Gwinnell, in conjunction with Detroit saxophonist, Steve Wood, has performed and conducted clinics in elementary, middle, and high schools in the Detroit and Toledo areas. They have been to over 25 schools and have introduced many kids to Jazz music.

                Ryder elementary school (l) and Libbey high school (r).   

Gwinnell was the Jazz Piano instructor at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for 4 years. During that time, he played piano in the faculty big band, and performed with nationally renowned jazz artists such as: Allen Vizzutti, Terry Gibbs, and Ken Watters. Gwinnell was required to teach improvisation and instrument classes.

                                      Scott with two piano students                           Scott performing with instructors Jeff Halsey and Gunnar Mossblad

In 2003, Gwinnell taught the jazz piano studio at Wayne State University in Detroit, substituting for Prof. Matt Michaels, who was on sabbatical for the Fall semester.

      Scott with Prof. Matt Michaels                                          Wayne State University music bldg. (Old Main)

In 2004, Gwinnell was hired by the University of Toledo to a three-year Visiting Assistant Professor position. In his position, he was in charge of the Jazz Piano studio, and taught both undergraduate and graduate students. He was also the music director for vocalese-pioneer Jon Hendricks, who is on staff at the University. Other duties, included instuction in:

• Jazz Arranging
• Jazz Piano Class
• Jazz Improvisation
• Jazz History
• Jazz Vocal Ensemble (Vocalstra)
• Jazz combos

Gwinnell had participated in faculty meetings, has had compositions commissioned for the Jazz Band and Vocalstra, created suppliments to textbooks, and had given a faculty recital featuring his compositions and piano playing. He was the pianist in the UT Faculty Quartet and was an intregal member of the music department.

Scott with Vocal Ensemble (Vocalstra)

Scott rehearsing UT student, Atla Conlon

In the Fall of 2007, Gwinnell began an Adjunct Professorship at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He was replacing jazz department head, Prof. Russ Schmidt for the semester, while on sabbatical. His duties at BGSU were:

• Instruction of Jazz Lab Band I
• Instruction in Graduate Jazz Improvisation
• Instruction of Graduate and Undergraduate Jazz Piano Students

Scott rehearsing Bowling Green State University's Jazz Lab Band I

Scott Gwinnell has much experience as a clinician, private instructor, and adjucicator. If you are interested in lessons or have any questions, feel free to email me at postbop@hotmail.com

in my University of Toledo office

with piano students at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

presenting a jazz clinic to Toledo elementary school kids

my University student combo performing at the local jazz club

the UT "vocalstra" rehearsing with Jon Hendricks