Doug Munro

Doug is a critically acclaimed New York jazz guitarist. Since 1987 he has released eleven albums as a leader and has appeared on over 50 recordings as a sideman, producer, and arranger working with a diverse array of artists including Dr. John, Michael Brecker, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Doug has over 75 original published compositions and over 300 recorded arrangements by the finest players on the scene today. His current CD Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0 has garnered rave reviews from critics, fans, and musicians. Doug continues to actively perform with close to 100 live dates per year.

In the recording field Doug has received two Grammy nominations and two NAIRD awards. Amazon.com picked Boogaloo to Beck , on which Doug performed, arranged, and co-produced, as one of its Top Ten Jazz CD’s of 2003. Doug also did orchestration work on the Oscar winning documentary When We Were Kings.

Doug has written three books on jazz improvisation for Warner Brothers Publications, including one entitled, From Swing to Bebop, that won the Music and Sound Retailers instructional book of the year award in 2000. He has just his first book with Alfred Music entitled The Total Latin Guitarist.

As an educator Doug created and was Director of the Jazz Studies Program at The Conservatory of Music at Purchase College from 1993-2002. He continues to teach there as Director Emeritus. This esteemed jazz program boasts a faculty that includes John Abercrombie, Todd Coolman, Jon Faddis, Eric Alexander, John Riley and many other top jazz performers.

Awards

two Grammy nominations and two NAIRD awards for work with the Skatilites Amazon.com picked Boogaloo to Beck , on which Doug performed, arranged, and co-produced, as one of its Top Ten Jazz CD’s of 2003. Doug also did orchestration work on the Oscar winning documentary When We Were Kings.

Gear

I endorse Godin Guitars and LaBella strings

Having worked with a veritable Who’s Who of Jazz and Soul artists Doug has garnered high praise from both his fellow artists and the press.

“Doug Munro... well he can flat out play!” —Dr. Lonnie Smith

”Doug Munro is a tremendously talented guitarist and composer who deserves the ears of a larger audience” —Steve Khan

“Doug Munro is one of the finest Guitarist I've heard perform. His music is great to listen to, very entertaining, funky, danceable, not to mention his straight ahead groove. Doug is just GREAT!!!” —Melvin Sparks

”Doug Munro plays in the tradition, but he has his own voice, combining elements of mainstream jazz guitar, Brazilian bossa nova and classical music

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Clinic/Workshop Information

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Clinic/Workshop Information

Here are two clinics/seminars I have done in the US and Europe. Title: Pentatonics : the Bridge between Jazz and Blues This Seminar would show the history, power and immediate connection pentatonic scales have with all of popular music whether it is jazz, blues, funk, Latin or rock. It would be taught directly from the book Organ Trio Blues that I originally wrote for Warner Brothers Publishing, which is now part of the Alfred Music Catalogue. Topics Covered: 1. Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scales A. Minor Pentatonic scale in all 5 positions B. Minor Pentatonic Scale Tone Chords C. Arpeggios in the Minor Pentatonic scale D. Blues Scale 2. Major Pentatonic Scale A. Major Pentatonic scale in all 5 positions B. Major Pentatonic Scale Tone Chords C. Arpeggios in the Major Pentatonic scale 3. Combining Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales A. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales over a major blues progression B. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales over a minor blues progression C. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales and the Blues scale over individual Chords D. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales and the Blues scale over a major blues progression E. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales and the Blues scale over a minor blues progression F. Major and Minor Pentatonic arpeggios and the Blues scale over a major blues progression G. Major and Minor Pentatonic arpeggios and the Blues scale over a minor blues Progression 4. Dominant 7 Pentatonic Scale A. Dominant 7 Pentatonic scale in all 5 positions B. Dominant 7 Pentatonic Scale Tone Chords C. Arpeggios in the Dominant 7 Pentatonic scale 5. Minor Pentatonic Scale Superimposition A. Minor Pentatonic scales that work over major chords B. Minor Pentatonic scales that work over minor chords C. Minor Pentatonic scales that work over dominant 7 chords D. Playing superimposed Pentatonic scales over chord changes 6. Sequential Groups taken from Pentatonic scales A. 1-2-3-5 sequential group B. 1-2-4-5 sequential group C. 1-b3-4-5 sequential group D. 1-b3-4-b6 sequential group 7. Library of Major and Minor 12 bar Blues Progressions : THE TOTAL LATIN GUITARIST This seminar is built around anew book I have just completed for Workshop Arts/Alfred Music called “The Total Latin Guitarist”. The book looks at 23 different Latin styles for guitar from 6 different countries. The book, to say the least, was a daunting task. I am anxious to share what I learned, during the research and writing of the book, with other guitarists. The book should be out in the first quarter of 2010 so it will be available for the students who might take the seminar. The seminar itself would be a hands-on walk through of the book’s content with the added advantage of having the author of the book (me) as the facilitator of the seminar. Here is what would be covered in the seminar. CLAVE Son Clave Rumba Clave Bossa Clave Brazilian Clave MONTUNO/GUAJEO AFRO-CUBAN Salsa Rumba Guaguanco Cha-cha Mambo Songo Mozambique BRAZIL Choro Samba Batucada Partido Alto Bossa Nova Baiao Frevo DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Merengue TRINIDAD Calypso Soca Bachata ARGENTINA Tango MEXICO Ranchera Mariachi Norteno/Conjunto Tejano

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