This year’s jazz workshop hosts many talented musicians with a variety of backgrounds. Among those musicians is passionate guitarist Ian Gadow from Wilmington, North Carolina.
A UNC Student
Ian is a rising senior here at UNC. As he studies under an information science major, Ian is involved in the music scene through classes and consideration of a music minor.
Music Production, guitar lessons, Rap Lab, and Jazz Workshop are all under his belt for classes he has taken at UNC. Ian is also looking forward to the beat-making lab, which he has signed up for next semester.
Why Jazz Workshop?
Ian seeks the experiential education credit for his degree. He found that this class is a perfect fit. In 8th grade, he first picked up an upright bass to play for his school’s band. A year later, Ian moved to an electric bass and shortly after, developed more of an interest in the electric guitar.
“I chose jazz workshop to be out of my comfort zone,” Ian says as this will be his first time performing on stage with a guitar. The hours of practice have been taxing for him, especially since this is also his first time playing jazz.
Ian says this workshop has been challenging, yet inspiring for him. “Having the resources and being able to go and talk to all of these very talented musicians, there’s no greater opportunity to do that.”
After hearing Ian jam out during Monday’s sessions, I can tell he is up for the challenge. Ian has been studying hard for Friday’s performance and says he feels both “excited and nervous.”
Musical Influences
Ian has heavy metal to thank for picking up the guitar. “I’m a huge Steve Vai fan” he says. The first song Ian began learning was “For the Love of God,” the seventh track on Vai’s 1990 album, “Passion and Warfare.”
“I love Yngwie Malmsteen.” Both are former members of the heavy metal band Alcatrazz who despite not having much commercial success, left an astounding musical legacy.
It is George Benson and Eric Gale who really got him into jazz. Ian is quite fond of the progressive jazz style of play.
Forthcoming
Ian is looking forward to mastering his musical craft and eventually being able to produce and mix his own beats. He says his favorite styles of production is rap, being a fan of Three 6 Mafia and J Dilla.
J Dilla is a jazz-influenced producer most prominent in the mid-1990s. “Dilla brought in that jazzy swing to rap,” Ian says as we discuss some of our favorite contributions to hip-hop. In the near future, he will have his own style of production, fused with the many genres and artists he appreciates.
For now, Ian prepares for the student concert on Friday, which Jazz workshop participants have been practicing all week for. It is an honor being alongside such talented musicians as we eagerly anticipate their performance.
Follow Ian Gadow at https://www.instagram.com/ian_gadow/