Director of Jazz Studies
University of South Carolina
Columbia SC 29208
USA
803-777-2151
803-777-2151 (FAX)
Email:
Website:
www.music.sc.edu/ea/Jazz/index.html
Travels to: Anywhere
Biography:
BERT LIGON is director of jazz studies at University of South Carolina. He has written and performed extensively and has received many awards, including national PBS awards and an EMMY nomination. Ligon has published music for big band, combo, steel band, and jazz strings. Ligon is past-president of the SC-IAJE. Ligon's three books, Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony, Comprehensive Technique for the Jazz Musician, and Jazz Theory Resources Vol. 1 & 2 are available from Hal Leonard. Ligon has taught jazz improvisation, guitar and piano, directed string ensembles at Suzuki institutes, Mark O'Connor Fiddle Conferences, IAJE, and ASTA conferences. At USC, Ligon coordinates the jazz combos and big bands, teaches jazz theory, improvisation, arranging, and applied jazz lessons. Ligon plays piano, guitar and third base.Jazz String Orchestra
I have a book of arrangements for jazz string orchestra. These put the strings in the forefront and not the background of jazz arrangements. There is music at the introductory level (ages 10+) and many pieces that challenge the professional.
Jazz improvisation
Improvisation for any age student. I have had success with very young improvisers (7-10) and with advanced college and professional. I am prepared to do clinics for teachers who want to learn how to teach improvisation.
Jazz Arranging/Composition
Presented clinic at ASTA 2003 conference on writing for jazz string ensembles.