Nick Fryer, is a guitarist, composer, and educator. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Nick relocated to Chicago in 2002 and was active on the jazz scene there for six years. Nick recorded his debut CD as a leader, Homespun, in 2011 and has also recorded with the Nick Fryer/Doug Stone Quartet, and the Chicago post-rock quintet Algernon Familiar Espionage. His composition “Broken Lady” was featured on Algernon’s latest record, Ghost Surveillance, which was released on Cuneiform Records in 2010.
Fryer has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and South America and has performed at jazz festivals that include the JVC Jazz Festival NYC, Iowa City Jazz Festival, and Jazz in Peru International Jazz Festival. Nick has also performed with many jazz greats including Peter Erskine, Anthony Cox, Mike Clark, Red Holloway, Dennis Mackrel, Rufus Reid, Billy Hart, David Bixler, and others.
Nick received a B.M. in Jazz Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a M.M. in Jazz Performance/Pedagogy from Northern Illinois University. Studies also include New York University and the School for Improvised Music in New York City and lessons with Steve Cardenas, Brad Shepik, Pete McCann, Bruce Arnold, Fareed Haque, and drummer Tony Moreno.
Nick Fryer has over fifteen years of teaching experience and is currently Assistant Professor of Music at Minnesota State University Moorhead where he runs the guitar program, teaches jazz combos, jazz history, and the MSUM Jazz Guitar Ensemble. Prior to teaching at MSUM Nick held teaching positions at Harold Washington College and the Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago. A D’Addario Performing Artist, Nick performs and presents clinics on guitar and jazz to colleges and high schools throughout the United States.
Download Bio: Nick Fryer Bio
Curriculum Vitae
Nicholas Fryer
1334 8th St S.
Fargo, ND 58103
fryer@mnstate.edu
www.nickfryermusic.com
Current Academic Employment
Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN
Assistant Professor of Guitar (2008-present)
Education
Northern Illinois University
M.M. Jazz Performance/Pedagogy (2004)
College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati
B.M. Jazz/Studio Music (2000)
Academic Honors
Liberace Scholar (2002-2004) -Liberace Foundation
Teaching Interests
Guitar, Jazz Studies, Improvisation, Composition, Music Theory, Music History, Music Appreciation, Ear Training, Jazz Combo, Guitar Ensemble
Teaching Experience
Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN
Assistant Professor of Music (2008-2011)
Courses Taught:
Music x58: Applied Lessons
Music 158: Group Guitar Class
Music 236: Guitar/Recorder for Elementary Ed
Music 215: Jazz History
Music 328: Jazz Combo
Music 328: Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Music 390: Advanced Topics in Jazz (Independent Study)
Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL (2006-2008)
Music Theory
Music History
Group Piano Class
Chicago Academy for the Arts High School, Chicago, IL (2006-2008)
Applied Guitar
Jazz Combo
Guitar Ensemble
Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL (2002-2004)
Jazz Combo
Group Guitar Class
Applied Lessons
Jazz Master Class Presentations (Selected)
Toronto International High School Jazz Festival: Toronto, Canada (2003)
Jazz Up Spring Jazz Festival: Plymouth High School, Plymouth,Indiana (2003)
Dave Bixler/Doug Stone/Nick Fryer: La Grange High School, La Grange, IL (2006)
Nick Fryer/Doug Stone Quartet: Iroquois High School, Des Plaines IL (2006)
Nick Fryer Guitar Masterclass: West Fargo High School (2010)
Nick Fryer Guitar Masterclass: West Fargo High School (2011)
Midwest International Guitar Summit: Fergus Falls, MN (2011)
Jazz Summer Camps
International Music Camp, International Peace Garden (2009)
NIU Jazz Camp, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL (2003-2004)
Outreach/Recruitment
Consultant and Clinician for West Fargo High School Guitar Program (2010)
Recruitment Clinics:
MSUM Faculty Jazz Group (2010)
West Fargo High School, Fargo, ND
Fargo South High School, Fargo, ND
Moorhead High School, Moorhead, MN
Twin Cities Recruitment Tour (2011)
MSUM Faculty Jazz Group:
Southwest High School, Minneapolis, MN
Northwest High School, Minneapolis, MN
Eagen High School, Eagen, MN
Annandale High School, Annandale, MN
Leader of weekly Jazz Jam Session for Fargo-Moorhead Tri-College and High School students (2009-2011)
Concert Series and Clinics
Responsible for brining the following artists to MSUM campus for Concerts/Clinics:
Ben Allison Band (NYC)
Melvin Rhyne/Kyle Ache Organ Trio (Chicago)
Eastern Blok (Chicago)
Tim Sparks (Minneapolis)
Josh Quinlan (Denver)
Eddie Gomez Trio (NYC)
Pete McCann (NYC)
Grant Writing
Grant Writing Workshop 2009
Faculty Development Grant 2010
Committees
Scholarship Committee (2008-2010)
Scholarship Committee (2010-11)
PR Committee, Chair (2009-2010)
PR Committee (2010-11)
Faculty Review Committee for Full Professor Promotion (2010)
Advising
Advisor for Departmental Majors
Professional Development- Minnesota State University
Professional Development Workshops (2008-2011)
Academic Service-Learning and Distinction in Engagement
Student Success Initiatives: Update and Plans
Learning Communities and Freshman Interest Groups
Motivation and the College Student
Open Dialogue about Mano Singham’s August Presentation and Change Article
Dragon Core Advising and Interactive Degree Audit System
Thinking Out Loud in Front of Students
Teaching Using Discussion
Other Professional Development (Selected)
School for Improvised Music Winter Intensive, Long Island University, NY (2009)
Studies w/ Brad Shepik, Ben Monder, Ralph Alessi, Gerald Cleaver
NYU Jazz Guitar Intensive, New York University, NY (2010)
Studies w/ Bruce Arnold, Pete McCann, Dave Allen, Brad Shepik,
Steve Cardenas, Tony Moreno
Publications
“Carbonic” Transcription and Analysis, DownBeat (2010)
“Single String Studies” (2011) self published etude book for guitar
Faculty Recitals
Nick Fryer Organ Trio (2009) original compositions for organ trio
Nick Fryer Trio (2010) original compositions for guitar, saxophone, and percussion
Performances
International Association of Jazz Education Conference, Toronto Canada 2003
JVC Jazz Festival, New York NY 2003
Jazz in Peru International Jazz Festival, Lima Peru 2004
Iowa City Jazz Festival, Iowa City IA 2004
Around the Coyote Winter Arts Fesitval, Chicago IL 2007
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago, IL 2007
Donoroo Music Festival, St. Louis, MO 2008
Wicker Park Arts Festival, Chicago, IL 2008
Rush Hour Music Series, Fargo, ND 2009
Fargo Blues Festival, Fargo, ND 2009
The Stone, NYC, NY 2009
Rush Hour Music Series, Fargo, ND 2010
Endorsements
D’Addario Performing Artist endorsement (2010-2011)
Discography
Nick Fryer-Doug Stone Quartet (2006) (Independent)
Algernon Familiar Espionage (2007) (Independent)
Stone-Bratt Big Band (2008) (Independent)
Nick Fryer Trio Live at Studio 222 (2009) (Independent)
Algernon Ghost Surveillance (2010) (Cuneiform Records)
Nick Fryer Homespun (2011)
Download CV: CV- Nick Fryer