WollCon welcomes Jazz Freedman Award nominee, musician, performer, composer and teacher David Rodriguez as our new Jazz Program Lead.
David has developed his own sound as a performer, combining jazz guitar with an eclectic mix of acoustic sounds manipulated with technology. His foundation of jazz is a launching pad to intersect with other genres such as traditional music from around the world and modern music such as hip hop and electronica.
In September of 2024, Lindsay McDougall from ABC Radio Illawarra came to WollCon to meet David, Chris Fields and some of the jazz students. You can hear that interview below.
ABOUT DAVID:
David has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from the Canberra School of Music (Australian National University 2005-2009), and has also completed up to grade 8 in AMEB classical guitar.
Since 2005 he has built a wealth of experience as a guitar and music teacher in all varieties of contexts and students (individual, group, children, adults, disabled, disadvantaged, HSC, AMEB, schools, and ensembles of all genres). A hard-working guitarist and artist, creating, releasing and performing his own unique projects as well as projects with other musicians and bands, he passionately believes that music can make the world a better place.
“Music can bring the greatest joy to the greatest relief for anyone who may be struggling. My life mission is providing people and students with the joy of music. My priority at WollCon is to engage students by focusing on and creating interests particular to that student. I find this tends to correlate with their abilities.”
David is also an insightful composer under his own solo productions as Godriguez and his repertoire with Godtet (below), a band he created and produces and defies categorization.
Godtet has released 6 records in as many years and has performed from City Recital Hall to several performances at the Opera House including a performance of original music with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (pictured below).
Fresh from musical cultural exchanges in Cuba, Mali and Morocco, David is proud to be teaching at the Wollongong Conservatorium where he hopes to inspire many more generations.
“It’s an honour to be a part of the WollCon Jazz Program Faculty. Jazz at WollCon has a rich history which we will continue to grow. We have a very experienced faculty who are so happy to be given the opportunity to further enrich the community’s lives with the gift of music. Our aim is to provide students with a safe space for them to be curious about, and grow their relationship with music, and the skills required to ensure music is forever a positive part of their lives regardless of whether they become professional musicians.”
CEO of WollCon David Francis said he was impressed with David’s vision for the Jazz faculty, which will involve collaborations with other WollCon groups.
“WollCon has an incredibly strong jazz faculty and we’re delighted that David has joined the team as Jazz Program Lead, he has a compelling vision for the Jazz Program. David is committed to performances and ensembles as a key part of Jazz music education so our program of bands, combos and live performance will continue to thrive. David brings with him an exciting diversity of musical interests which truly reflects the contemporary Australian jazz scene. He has a very strong network in the area (he lives locally) and has already begun to reach out to potential partners to add even more value to the Jazz Program at WollCon.”
One such collaboration is with the University of Wollongong where David was one of the judges at the UOW Music Competition at the UNIBAR (August 16th).
LEARN MORE ABOUT GODTET
Photos: Jordan Munns
