Jerry Willard
Born in Ohio Jerry Willard’s first teacher was his father, Jeff Willard, an accomplished Jazz guitarist. The guitar pedagogue, Sophocles Papas recognized Jerry's talent and invited him to study in Washington, D.C. Jerry Willard studied with guitarists, Richard Lurie and Alirio Diaz, who developed his musical and technical approach to the guitar. He also worked with violinist, Misha Mishakoff and cellist, Warren Downs
Mr. Willard has performed at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has concertized extensively throughout Europe and The United States. Raymond Ericson of the New York Times wrote, "The recital was exemplary. Mr. Willard took lute in hand for some pieces by Adrian LeRoy and John Dowland and turned that normally pale-sounding predecessor of the guitar into a brilliant and vivid instrument…..It was again the clarity of Mr. Willard's playing that gave special pleasure."
Willard is an accomplished player of all types of fretted instruments including the archlute, Renaissance lute, Baroque guitar, nineteenth century guitar, and modern guitar. Well known as an ensemble player, Mr. Willard has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, The New York City Opera Company, The New York Consort of Viols, and The Queen’s Chamber Band.
Willard has published many publications for guitar including "The Complete Lute Music of J.S. Bach", “The Complete Works of Gaspar Sanz” and “Seventeen Show Tunes Of George Gershwin” available through Music Sales Corporation. Mr. Willard records for Lyrichord Discs. Mr. Willard resides in Elmore Vermont and is retired faculty of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he headed the guitar and lute department for 44years.
Publications
Edited and fingered by Jerry Willard. The complete works for lute solo by Johann Sebastian Bach, newly transcribed and annotated. Historical and performance notes.
The Complete Works of Gaspar Sans
The complete manuscript of Sanz's legacy in English with standard music notation, including arrangements for the modern guitar and performances by Willard on the accompanying CDs.
The Library of Guitar Classics, V1
A compendium of beloved guitar classics: Greensleeves, Bach's Bouree, Tarrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Albeniz's Leyenda and others by Carcassi, Carulli, Giuliani, & Sor.
The Library of Guitar Classics, V2
More of the world's classics. A splendid array of pieces that, over the years, have captured the imagination of music lovers, plus a variety of exquisite lesser-known pieces.
17 Show Tunes of George Gershwin
George Gershwin's best-loved pieces specially arranged for Classical Guitar and presented in standard notation. the Includes an exclusive demo CD of all 17 pieces.
cds
Jerry Willard Plays!
This album takes us on a master’s tour of the development of the most popular stringed instrument in the world, starting in 16th Century Italy with several sumptuous pieces for Archlute. Next we hear the master J.S. Bach in six of his most popular lute pieces. Then onto the Baroque guitar for 17th Century compositions by Gaspar Sanz, followed by a three movement sonata by Mauro Guliani on 19th Century guitar. A modern classical guitar for Catalan folk songs by Miquel Llobet, and finally three arrangements of popular tunes by Gershwin tunes on the modern guitar.
The Baroque Guitar
For master lutenist and guitarist Jerry Willard's third Lyrichord CD, he takes on the now-rarely heard Baroque guitar, performing musical gems of the baroque era composed by four different masters: Gaspar Sanz, Santiago de Murcia, John Anton Logy and Ludovico Roncalli. The Suite in A Minor by Johan Anton Logy is thought to be a transcription by the composer himself written specifically for the instrument. Top it off with Roncalli's Passacaglia - a piece made famous hundreds of years later in an orchestral arrangement by the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi in his Ancient Airs and Dances.
Night at the Opera
Jerry Willard's exciting fourth solo Lyrichord album takes us to the world of Italian opera, as performed on a rare 19th century instrument. Several best-loved themes from the operas of Rossini, Verdi, and Bellini are given a virtuoso treatment in rarely performed guitar arrangements by Mauro Giulani (1781-1829) and Johann Mertz (1806-1856). Elaborate and effective arrangements make for memorable performances of the most gorgeous operatic works.
Passionate Pavans & Galliards
The Lyrichord Early Music Series proudly presents an exquisite and powerful performance of John Dowland’s most tender and moving songs. These incredible musicians sell-out crowds as individuals, and as members of The Queen’s Chamber Band. Together, in the hands of veteran producer John Ostendorf, this foursome has created what may well come to be regarded as the most significant and moving Dowland release of the last 25 years!
Gershwin: That Certain Feeling
The guitar adaptations of famous and not-so-famous Gershwin numbers (Scandal Walk is a nice inclusion) on this album are distinctive in style. Willard draws on a variety of sources: commercial arrangements of Gershwin's songs for other instruments, Gershwin's piano roll recordings, and The Gershwin Songbook, Gershwin's own remarkable 1932 collection of piano arrangements of his songs.
Contact jerry
I offer private lessons in Elmore, Vermont. Web lessons are available via Skype or comparable software.
