Lar Duggan is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

jazz pianist, best known as an early, influential music teacher of

Phish Phish is an American rock band formed in Burlington, Vermont, in 1983. The band is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a dedicated fan base. The band consists of guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon ...

keyboardist

Page McConnell Page Samuel McConnell (born May 17, 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American multi-instrumentalist most noted for his work as the keyboardist and a songwriter for the band Phish. In addition to having been a member of Phish since 1985, ...

. In hi
1987 Goddard College thesis
McConnell, P. (1987). ''The Art of Improvisation''. Senior Thesis. Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont. McConnell wrote that Duggan was “the single most important person” in helping improve his improvisational playing.

Background

Born in Washington, DC, Duggan moved with his family to the suburbs of New York City at the age of five. He began playing piano early on, taking a couple years of classical lessons in grade school, followed by several years of jazz lessons with Joel Forbes in high school. Duggan's first job was at age fifteen, sitting in for

Dave McKenna Dave McKenna (May 30, 1930 – October 18, 2008) was an American jazz pianist known primarily as a solo pianist and for his " three-handed" swing style. He was a significant figure in the evolution of jazz piano. Career He was born in Woonsock ...

. Living close to New York City in the late 1950s, Duggan went to hear the jazz icons of that era, but ended up going to college in Boston where he studied for a few months with Margaret Chaloff. Since that time, Duggan has continued to work and compose, with various non-musical jobs interspersed throughout.

Career

In 1978, Duggan received a grant from the Vermont Council on the Arts to write music, which resulted in The Lake Studies, a series of sixteen eponymously named songs recorded by Charles Eller and released on Duggan's Aerie label. Two years later, Philo records re-recorded half the songs and released an album in 1980, which was reviewed by

Keyboard Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

in October 1981. In 2001, Duggan re-released his original 1978 recording. ''The Lake Studies'' remains Duggan's sole recorded material, as he has eschewed a typical musician's life of travelling and recording. Duggan has given private piano lessons over the years, including to

when the latter was starting in

. McConnell credits Duggan for teaching him fundamental improvisational techniques and methods.

Personal life

Duggan has lived in the Burlington area of Vermont since 1967, and rarely ventures outside the area.

Discography

* ''The Lake Studies (1978; partially re-recorded in 1980)''

References

External links

* http://larduggan.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Duggan, Lar American jazz pianists 1942 births Living people