growing musicians
Tim Bedner
Tim Bedner is a modern lyrical composer and improviser, and an award-winning teacher and performer on six- and seven-string guitar. Reviewers have called him “a talent and a force, playing with grace, style, passion, and inventiveness.” His CD recording “Of Light and Shadow” debuted in the #1 spot of the CMJ jazz chart, where it remained in the Top 40 for four weeks.
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Tim received his undergraduate training at Berklee College of Music (Boston), graduating summa cum laude, and a Masters Degree with distinction in Jazz Performance at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh). Tim was an adjunct professor of guitar at Duquesne University for 8 years. Since relocating to Ottawa he has been hired as a performance instructor for jazz guitar at Carleton University and is the founding director of the Contemporary Guitar Ensemble. Tim teaches privately, offers workshops, and is the assistant director of the Carleton University Summer Jazz Camp.
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A gifted and sought-after accompanist, he has performed with many well known musicians across a variety of genres. Tim has shared a stage with artists as diverse as jazz guitar icon John Abercrombie, national fingerstyle champion Pat Donohue (NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor), Broadway diva Bernadette Peters, the Segovia of jazz guitar Gene Bertoncini, fusion band Spyro Gyra, Toronto jazz guitar legend Lorne Lofsky, Ottawa jazz guitarist and educator Roddy Ellias, saxophonist and composer Oliver Lake, Pittsburgh veteran jazz drummer Roger Humphries, Juno-nominated Vancouver guitar man Bill Coon, Montreal Juno-winning guitarist Mike Rud, flamenco guitarist Marija Temo, bluesman Ernie Hawkins, and members of The Fringe (George Garzone & John Lockwood) and the New York Voices.
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Discography:
Portrait Intime – Claude Brazeau
C’est aÌ€ moi – Dominique Forest
Live at GigSpace – Mike Tremblay
Of Light and Shadow – Tim Bedner
Capital Vox Sings Elise Letourneau – choral works
I Will Sing for You – Elise Letourneau & band
One Little Child – Doug Worth with Peter Eldridge
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“Bedner’s greatest strength is his ability to separate himself from the crowd that believes intensity goes hand in hand with volume, aggression and excessive effects. He brings a sense of balance and measure to the music that allows him to build tension by contrast, not bombast. ‘Of Light And Shadow’ doesn’t win out with power or fireworks; it simply seeps into the pores. Tim Bedner’s magical music finds a way to burrow into the inner soul.”
– Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
Comments from students who have studied with Tim Bedner :
“I am excited to say that my audition at Humber went very, very well. I played “All the Things You Are” and afterwards he told me that it was one of the few best that he has heard this year. Thanks Tim, seriously, I would not be as confident, focused, and somewhat competent had I not taken this year and studied with you. I thank you, thank you and thank you again.”
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Hey Tim, I just got a letter from Humber… I got in!!!!!! I got accepted to the 4 year degree program and I couldn’t have done it with out your help thanks a lot!
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“This lesson was one of the most informative and clearest sessions I’ve ever spent with a teacher and I’ve been so excited I even started the chord chart homework”
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“I’ve improved my technique in so many ways, thoroughly learned the process.”
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“I have learned many techniques which are applicable to so much music. I loved how this class wasn’t classical, jazz or rock, but rather concepts that influence all music.”
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“He (Tim) was clear and obviously knew and loved what he was doing.”
“Tim is awesome. He is very knowledgeable, motivating and he makes me like coming to class.”
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“Tim has pushed me to be better every day.”
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“He (Tim) does whatever he can to help me. He also has amazing patience.”
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“Mr. Bedner is a great teacher, nice, patient and interesting.”
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“I have learned more in six months of lessons with Tim then in 16 years of studying guitar on my own.”
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Tim Bedner’s website: www.timbedner.com