I Studied with Coltrane's Teacher - Michael Pedicin
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- Saxman Michael Pedicin remembers his studies with Philly legend Dennis Sandole, who also taught John Coltrane. Music - Tunji from Why Stop Now / Ubuntu - Michael Pedicin michaelpedicin.com
I took a lesson with Dennis back in the early 70's when I knew nothing about jazz. I left with a notebook full of scales and chords to learn and he told me to schedule another lesson when I felt ready. He eventually referred me to one of his advanced students and told me to come back to him when I had advanced. He was very kind to a kid who was about 10 years below the level of most of his students. I do remember him saying with a twinkle in his eye, " You may leave your numismatic remuneration with my silent secretary." which was a cigar box sitting on the edge of his upright piano. The lesson was $10. He was a very inspiring person.
I studied music with Dennis Sandole for 2 years in the late 1960's and it opened my eyes to the concept of 'exploring all possibilities' which are technically endless. I also studied Bible with him during the same time. Historically, I may be in the minority, but reached a point where I found myself absorbed in the technicality of the studies and struggled to regain the heart and soul of it all. I learned that a good balance was best.
according to my jazz lesson teacher, Dorance Stalvey in Santa Monica, CA, both Trane and his wife, also a tenor sax player, both took lessons from Lennie Tristano. However it happened, Coltrane became the greatest jazz innovator since Charlie Parker. And it's good knowing about Dennis Sandole being a big part of it. Thanks for the post, Michael.
I studied briefly with Dennis in Philly around 1973. I'm going to share a more personal experience rather than musical. Dennis seemed to take a liking to me and another friend of mine who was also studying with him, and he asked us if we would like to study the bible with him. Dennis was a devout Jehovah's Witness. I wasn't interested in becoming a Witness, but enjoyed the experience of getting to know another side of this legendary music teacher. He scheduled our lessons at the end of the day so we could do a bible study at his studio after the lessons, and then I would drive him home from his 13th Street studio in downtown Philly to his condo in Newtown Square, PA. As we became better friends, we started going to the Kingdom Hall with him on Saturday or Sunday. He was about 60 then but his beautiful young wife was in her mid 20's. She was also a Jehovah's Witness. The age difference didn't matter to them since the Witnesses believe that when they die, they all live in heaven at 33 years of age forever, so what difference is a few years of age inequality here on earth. His verbal eloquence went way over the heads of most of the Witnesses when he would make comments at the Kingdom Hall services. And yes, he sounded like "The Godfather". According to some biblical projections, the Witnesses had set a date for the Apocalypse around that time (mid 70's) and there was a huge convention at the Spectrum in Philly to prepare for the event which we went to also. At the same time I was also part of a cult of a 16 year old guru from India who was supposed to be God incarnate. I think his name was Guru Maharaji, and most of my musician friends were also involved, and we all received his four divine "Knowledge" practices at the time. Of course Dennis said, very politely, that it was a form of Satanism, and that I would eventually realize that. When I described the 4 facets of the divine "Knowledge", Dennis laughed and said it was "ridiculous". He was so charismatic that I did feel a little foolish. I was also teaching classical guitar at the "Classical Guitar Store" and the guitarist from the musical, "Godspell" (Day By Day) came into the store and heard me play. He asked me if I would like to fill in for him for 6 weeks while he did a pilgrimage to Iran, since he was in the Bahai faith. I accepted but had to quit lessons with Dennis because we had a show every day and a matinee on Wednesdays (my lesson day), and didn't have the time to prepare my lessons for Dennis. My friend continued the lessons, bible study, and the drive home to Dennis' condo. He told me that Dennis was extremely upset that I had stopped lessons, and said that Dennis talked about it all the way from center city to Newtown Square, about an hour commute. I have to admit that I was both shocked and complimented by that, since I really felt that what Dennis was teaching was WAY over my head. When the 6 weeks of Godspell was over, the show moved on and I never went back to Dennis, but, of course, could never forget such a charismatic, legendary man. For some reason, 40 years later, I googled Dennis and found this youtube post. Thanks!
Rian McGonigal Wow Rian. What a story.
Such a great piece of jazz history.
Did you"pay the cat"?...Dennis was a dear friend of the family, sweet man, and generous to a fault. He would come to the house on Federal and Carlisle Street, loved my Mother's Italian cooking....memories, sitting at my father's feet listening to Daddy play "Moonlight in Vermont". Thanks for sharing. Beth Hall, daughter of Bernard A Hall, dear friend first and student of Dennis secondly.
I ordered Dennis' "Guitar Lore" 'precisely 'cause he was Trane's teacher. And to me, that's really something. Thanks for sharing this story with us young musos out there !
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your experiences Mike!
I bet he is a great teacher. Thanks for sharing!
I am proud to say that I studied with Dennis for 4-5 years after being schooled for a year by Bill Walton, one of Dennis' long-time students .I found Dennis by way of Rufus Harley, a bagpipe player (!) who was Dennis' student as well. Rufus heard me play and called Dennis to arrange my audition. On my audition /lesson I played some of the tunes I used on my folksinging gigs...The maestro was decidedly not impressed :) He said, "I don't like that folkie music," wrinkling his nose in disapproval. But when I started playing the blues his eyes lit up and he immediately led me to a chair and began writing out my first lesson.... .I had to tell him then that I couldn't read a note of music. Dennis immediately got on the phone to Bill, arranged my first lesson with him, and in his kind, hoarse whisper said, "work hard and Bill will let me know when you're ready." After a year of hard work I started lessons with Dennis, commuting from Baltimore once a week for a half-hour lesson. It was a turning point in my life, and I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't mentioned Dennis' name to one of my students or friends. He inspired me to compose which led me to the Peabody Institute where I studied and taught. I learned more from him than I can even relate--- and most of it was not in the notes. He was a truly great man.
Great memories.
@@JazzVideoGuy unforgettable. I very much liked your piece on him !
Always great info and thanks Bret!
i had read the method that Dennis Sandole use for teaching he was deep teaching about the diminish family half diminish ..which is hard to assimilate , play and memorize , in the 60 was used for jazz fusion. by guitar players ,piano ,brass players.
Great video!
wow!
thank you michael. Nice to hear your memories. I studied w/ Dennis in the 1970's, and am still inspired , full of acknowledgement. The story about Coltrane i was told (by Mr Sandole) is that Coltrane studied for 4 years - through the Granoff studio, but did "double lessons" - meaning two lessons in one week, and that they remained good friends and regularly had dinner together... - if you read this please send me an email at pleasantstreetbooks@comcast.net I am interested in gathering some of his poetry, with an eye on publishing it. Would rather be more personal. Thanks again, Sonny Saul (piano)