Air House is home to the WJF All-Star Jazz Combos. These groups are presented by the Wichita Jazz Festival and consist of the top high school and middle school jazz players in the area. While many students have the opportunity to participate in their school jazz band, these ensembles give students a chance to play in a small group setting and focus on their improvisational skills.
The combos are open to middle and high school jazz students on all instruments that would like to expand their jazz skills, theory and appreciation. There is no better way to learn jazz than by playing in a small group jazz ensemble. The groups are directed by local jazz experts, Bill Harshbarger, Craig Owens and Gray Bishop.
Bill teaches saxophone and clarinet lessons at Air House. Bill has over 40 years of teaching experience and is one of the top jazz saxophone and clarinet players in the region.
Craig is the jazz director and director of the jazz guitar program at Wichita State University. Craig is one of the top jazz guitarists in the area. Craig is also an accomplished composer and creative musician, frequently performing with his original group, Bodo Ensemble. In addition to his teaching roles at Wichita State, Craig is also the director of the Wichita Jazz Festival.
Gray Bishop is recently retired from a full and successful career as a middle school band and jazz band director. In addition, Gray has taught trumpet as an adjunct professor at the collegiate level. Gray is one of the top jazz trumpet players in the area. He is also a creative improviser, performing with Craig Owens' original group, Bodo Ensemble.
Air House Studios is a hybrid analog/digital recording studio engineered by master recording engineer, Micajah Ryan. Air House gives bands and musicians the unique opportunity to record in a professional recording studio with a world class engineer whose credits include: Bob Dylan, Guns N' Roses, Megadeth, John Prine and many more. Air House features the best in digital recording technology along with a fully analog console, top of the line analog compressors and equalizers, a variety of tube, condenser and dynamic microphones and a two inch tape machine to provide the warmth that is lacking in digital recording.
Air House lessons cover the technical, theoretical and creative aspects of music, providing a well rounded and balanced approach to music instruction. Students are taught proper technique to allow them to reach their full technical ability on their instrument. They are taught basic music theory so that they have an understanding of what they are doing musically. These things help them to become actual musicians rather than simply someone who can play a few songs on an instrument. Students are also encouraged to cultivate and explore their own musical creativity.
