Georges Bouhey
About
Whether it's jamming, practicing, performing, teaching, recording or producing; Georges has been creating some kind of music for most of his life. He started on piano at the age of six and then added drums at 9. "I didn't want to practice but my Mom made me. She told me that I would thank her one day...AND I DID, MANY TIMES,"--GB
"I started my first band when I was 13. We only knew two songs for our first gig--and we knew them really well by the end of the night 'cause we played those same two songs the entire gig. By the time I turned 16 my Dad had been driving us all over the state every week-end for the past two years. And in 1966 we performed twice on KGW-TV's (Portland) state-wide "Battle of the Bands" and won second place. It was a big deal."--GB
Georges has performed throughout the United States & Canada with various artists including: Mason Williams, The Platters, The Diamonds, Sal Marquez (Tonight Show Band), Byron Berline, Todd Haaby & Sola Via, Lawrence Leighton Smith, Glen Campbell, The Fowler Bros. (Frank Zappa), Diamond Jackson, Keith Sykes (Jimmy Buffet) and legendary R&B pianist and composer of "Hey Bartender", Floyd Dixon and the Eugene, Sacramento, Oklahoma City, Hamilton (Quebec) and Denver Symphony Orchestras.
As the original drummer for "Mason Williams & The Santa Fe Recital" he toured extensively; playing concerts at many of the nation's top venues like Red Rock & Wolf Trap & recording "Fresh Fish", the group's only album. "Mason was still very well known, had a huge following and decided that he wanted to put a band together. I had played with him before in LA and he asked me to come to Santa Fe to join "The Recital". So, we all moved to Santa Fe for a couple of months to learn & rehearse the music for the first tour. I was on the road at the time, backing "The Platters" and got to Santa Fe just in time to start rehearsals. And what a wonderful, cool, totally unique and eclectic time that was!".
The band's instrumentation included classical guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin & cello---all acoustic instruments, traditional and LOW VOLUME. "This gig taught me how to LISTEN DEEPLY, and to play with sensitivity. This is how I developed my unique style of brushwork--playing any tempo and quietly every night. Later, when we were doing gigs with George Shearing, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the orchestras it was a necessity!"--GB
CREATING PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS--Georges is know throughout the region as a band leader, an ace side-man (drums or keyboards) and as a compassionate music educator. He majored in Music Percussion Performance at the University of Oregon, University of Utah & North Texas State University (Jazz Performance & Composition). And, he is the founder of The BEND School Of Music Performance where he teaches private drums, piano, composition, "bandsmanship" and Jazz theory.
For the 10 years prior to COVID he created, coached and directed the "BEND Student Jazz & Funk Ensemble". The ensemble provided an opportunity for talented student musicians to study, learn and perform jazz with Georges at his gigs, private events and opening for artists like Regina Carter, Bernard Purdie & The Brubeck Brothers. In 2012, together with producer Marshall Glickman, Georges started the very popular "Music Education Series" of Jazz Workshops at The Oxford Hotel.
Over the course of the past eight workshop seasons prior to COVID, Georges has worked with some of the world's top performing jazz artists--including Randy Brecker, Joey DeFrancesco, Lee Ritenour, Dianne Schurr and many more.
"Bringing A More Musical & Melodic Approach To The Drumset."
My lessons are relaxed, low-key and fun! If it's not fun for the student it doesn't work. The "one size fits-all" concept does NOT work for me. I believe in "individualized perception" --every student is different and it's my responsibility to learn what inspires and motivates them as individuals. Many times presenting the same material--but in a way that is customized for each individual student. This is how I build long term relationships with my students and their families. Most of my students have been with me for 4-5 years. I have NUMEROUS former students who started when they were 8 or 9--continued through high school--and are now either professionals and/or educators.
My emphasis is on developing not just drummers...but "musicians who play drums". Because I am proficient on keyboards as well as drums--I am able to play with my students during their lessons---moving freely between the two instruments. In addition to this making their lessons much more FUN--it develops and promotes the more musical and melodic approach to the drumset. And--they get to see it in action. I encourage every one of my drum students to learn piano as well. This make s for a much deeper understanding of the drummer's role and contribution as a well rounded musician.
I am a music major alumni of the University of Oregon, University of Utah & North Texas State University. I am not "degreed" because when I had the opportunity to tour and play professionally I always took it--and didn't return to finish school.
Building long term relationships with my students means that many times I am as much a mentor, counselor and positive source of inspiration for them as I am teacher.I am completely transparent and honest with them. This may be tough to do sometimes--but it means that they trust me completely and look forward to their lessons. Sometimes the lesson is the most positive thing in their day. They know they will always get the straight story from me---and you can see it in their development not only as musicians but as individuals.
Because I have performed extensively throughout the US and because I am an active professional player--I can share the right "war stories" for the situation with each student. And they learn the value of playing both instruments and the challenges of travel, rehearsals and the importance of practice and overall musicianship.
The day after COVID hit I switched over to ZOOM lessons and have been doing them ever since. I have a LOT EXPERIENCE WITH ZOOMING including recitals where all students, friends and family can "tune in" for the recital. While ZOOM has some distinct disadvantages their are also some very distinct ADVANTAGES, like being able to see the "inside" of the students grip without having to get on my hands and knees etc. And, the young people have know the technology and are used to it.
METHODS-Of course I use "Stick Control" and "Syncopation" as well as excerpts from my own soon to be published "The Beats That Work" book. For the more advanced students I use Gary Chester's "The New Breed" and "Inner Drumming" by George Marsh