Doug Munro

Doug Munro is a critically acclaimed New York-based jazz guitarist. Since 1986 he has released 20 albums as a leader and has appeared on over 100 recordings as a sideman, producer, and arranger, working with artists like Dr. John, Michael Brecker, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. He has over 75 published compositions and over 300 recorded arrangements to his credit.

In the recording field, Doug has received two Grammy nominations and two NAIRD awards. His 2011 release, A Very Gypsy Christmas was a top 5 pick by the Wall Street Journal. Amazon.com picked Boogaloo to Beck, which he arranged, co- produced, and on which he played, as a Top Ten Jazz CD of 2003. Doug also did orchestration on the Oscar-winning documentary film When We Were Kings. His last CD released in 2017, The Harry Warren Songbook, received rave reviews and still enjoys strong airplay.

Doug has written four books on jazz improvisation for Warner Brothers Publications and Alfred Music Publications, including one entitled, From Swing to Bebop, which won the Music and Sound Retailers instructional book of the year award in 2000. His last print only book, The Total Latin Guitarist (Alfred Publishing) was released in 2010.

Doug now writes exclusively for online publications and instructional websites. He contributes guitar instruction articles for Premier Guitar magazine and is a teaching/artist contributor for TrueFire.com where he has three online instructional courses and his own dedicated subscriber channel called Doug Munro’s Guitar Garage.

Munro created and directed the Jazz Studies Program at The Conservatory of Music at Purchase College in 1993 and is now Professor Emeritus (retired). He has been a teaching artist at the Litchfield Jazz Camp since 2009.

Awards

2011 Wall street Journal top 5 Christmas CD for "A Very Gypsy Christmas". 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 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. He has a great sound and swings with authority. I always enjoy playing with him." —John Stowell

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

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 retired from the college in 2019 and is now Professor Emeritus. Doug continues to teach through his own subscription service at www.dougmunro.com and through www.TrueFire.com.

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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