Teaching by Example

If the adage attributed to George Bernard Shaw--”He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches”--used to be apropos of faculty at collegiate schools of music, it isn’t anymore.

Glen Garrett, who teaches “Music Today” and “Introduction to Jazz” at Cal State Northridge, is a stellar example of the change.

Salt Lake City native Garrett has been active in Los Angeles area music circles for 25 years. The saxophonist is a regular in film and TV studios and in the pit bands of live musical theater; he does the occasional so-called “casual,” such as a wedding or party. When his schedule permits, he plays jazz, in his unique Brazilian-based big band, Feijoada Completa, or in a combo, as he does Thursday at Common Grounds in Northridge.

“I still make more money playing than I do teaching,” said the Burbank resident, who got his master of arts degree in music from CSUN in 1975 and became a part-time faculty member there in 1978. “I’m so flattered to be part of the music scene on any level, because the musicians in Los Angeles are so incredible.”

Garrett said he takes the positive juice that he gets from performing and composing music and tries to pass it on to his students, who are mostly nonmusicians.

It works, he said. “When someone who says they only like country and western gets turned on by jazz bass great Charles Mingus, that really makes my day,” he said. “Or when a guy that looks like a rapper is spellbound by Bach’s ‘Air on a G String,’ it reaffirms my faith in the human race.”

“Music Today” is a basic music appreciation course, except that Garrett uses popular music, as well as classical music that is popular now, to talk the about the fundamentals of music. “Introduction to Jazz” is designed to turn people onto jazz, he said.

“I want to help kids understand the musical culture that’s around them. Like if they hear ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ by Benny Goodman, do they think about him being the first white guy to hire black musicians, or how that music fits into the picture of 20th century popular music?”

One of the benefits teaching nonmusicians is encountering folks who hear differently, Garrett said. “I always listen to music as if I were playing it or had written it. It’s always fascinated me what nonmusicians listen to and hear.”

At Common Grounds, guitarist Paul Murphy, bassist Kevin Axt and drummer Jay Setar will join saxophonist Garrett in playing such standards as “Just Friends,” along with a Garrett original or two.

“We’re not trying to make jazz history,” he said. “I just want to interpret standard material the way I do it, and have fun.”

DETAILS

Glen Garrett plays at 8 p.m. Thursday at Common Grounds, 9250 Reseda Blvd., Northridge. No cover, $2.50 minimum purchase. (818) 882-3666.

Zan Stewart writes about jazz for the Valley Edition. He can be reached at Zansky@aol.com