For musician Jim Witzel, the possibilities with jazz are endless.
While the guitarist admits dabbling in other genres like folk, pop and blues, he says he likes jazz because there’s always something to be learned. For him, jazz is always evolving.
Jim’s music education started when he was 12 and he’s never looked back.
“I started as a kid and took basic guitar lessons and wasn’t serious until my junior year of high school. I found a teacher in San Francisco, Dave Smith, and he sort of put me in the direction of studying jazz music,” Witzel said.
After finishing high school, he continued his study of music at San Francisco State University and continued his lessons with Smith. From there he would later find many other music mentors along the way.
“A lot of it is what we call learning on the street, playing with friends and various groups I had together with other players, just kind of passing information along,” he said of his formal training. “Even to this day, the people in the group that I play with, I learn so much from them. I might bring in some material and they have some great suggestions.”
Witzel, a composer and CSMA Faculty member, said one of the nice things about working with a group is finding people who share your vision. He feels very fortunate to have met up with people who share his values musically and beyond.
“It’s like a basketball team, you have to have the right elements, and everybody have the same goal and destination,” he said. “I feel very lucky…it’s difficult to put music together and present it. It’s very rewarding when it works.”
Sure to be the ultimate jam session, the quartet will be performing jazz standards and original compositions from Jim’s newest album “Feelin’ It.” Saxophonist Kristen Elizabeth Strom, organist Brian Ho and drummer Jason Lewis will join Jim for this engaging evening of musical expression.
Witzel is looking forward to the concert.
“I’m just excited to have the opportunity to play and present my group. I’ve been here a long time,” he said. It’s exciting to come back to my old school and play.”
How is “Feelin’ It” different from Jim’s first album “Give and Take?”
The “Feelin’ It” (album) is a collaboration of a working band and we’ve been able to do concerts like this one. These are my friends,” he said. “The sound is a mix of my original tunes and the rest are standards. It was geared for radio and live play.”
What can the audience expect from the concert?
“Ideally in a perfect world, it will sound like a recording but have a little more of a live spirit.”
Music is an art form. Aspiring musicians know that it can be a labor of love–one that takes dedication. Jim’s advice is simple: Practice hard. Find a good teacher and do what they tell you.
There is immense value in music education. Jim has taught guitar with CSMA since 1992 and currently teaches in the Corporate Arts Program both virtually and in person. When it comes to music education, he says building self-discipline and finding motivation to do better is key.
“Music education develops a lot of skill sets that are helpful in life,” he said. “It gets better with time.”
Written By TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton. Jim Witzel performed in Tateuchi Hall in May, 2023.
