JAMES NEIL

Styles
Beginning techniques, jazz, blues, funk, rock, hip-hop, big-band, and
afro-cuban.

Bio
James has a passion for music and drumming. He actively pursues his own musical development. He has been a representative of the Monterey Jazz Festival performing in Australia and New Zealand. He has also performed in Europe at the Montreaux and North Sea jazz festivals. James has shared the stage with a host of notable performers, including Jimmy Smith, Don Menza, and Steve Allen. Recently James was a guest performer with the Capitol Jazz Project. He also spent much of 1999 and 2000 touring the country with the pop music group Deathray. He has been teaching privately since 1993, when he discovered the fulfillment of helping others improve and reach their goals. James feels that deep fulfillment can be attained through the study and discipline of music.

Method
James teaches his students according to their abilities, needs, and goals. He encourages students to pursue the aspects of music which most engage them. He strives to make a positive impression while helping students to set and reach goals. James appreciates the importance of contextual history and encourages specific listening within a musical idiom. To this end, he plans occasional field trips to regional venues to attend performances which are beneficial to the development and inspiration of his students.