Julian Gerstin is a PhD ethnomusicologist, composer, and percussionist. Julian Gerstin, PhD, is co-lead of the Latin Jazz Ensemble at Vermont Jazz Center with Eugene Uman. He also teaches Caribbean/African Percussion and runs a Rhythm Theory class at the Summer Jazz Workshop. As President of the Board and member of the Grants Committee, he also serves as a director. Julian’s percussive explorations took him from Ghanaian folk music to Brazilian popular music, and jazz styles from New Orleans brass band to avant-garde experimentalism. His current ensemble, the Julian Gerstin Sextet plays original jazz that is influenced by Caribbean and Balkan music. He also performs with the Afrocuban folkloric dancing ensemble Iroko Nuevo and local bands performing salsa, samba and Latin jazz. Julian is an academic musician and ethnomusicologist who has taught at Wesleyan University and Clark University, Marlboro College, Keene State College, and Marlboro College. In 1993-1995, he studied and performed traditional Martinique music. His work has resulted in numerous scholarly publications as well as CD compilations of Martinican tradition. He studied Cuban music alongside notables like Sandy Perez, John Santos and John Amira. Julian, along with Ken Dalluge, is the co-author of The Musician’s Guide to Rhythm. This book provides a practical approach to rhythmic understanding for all instruments. Visit www.vtjazz.org
