Overview:
Philly born/Japan based Jazz Musician, dog lover, writer, teacher, R&B collector & more, twanting just about everything.
I’ve lived in Japan on & off for almost 16 years & ran a Jazz Izakaya called Eddie’s Lounge.
Currently, I’m finishing off the final page of my latest Jazz & Gospel improv opus and getting serious with my Japanese studies. — For many years a top reviewer for Amazon.com, I’ve also written stories for JAPAN TODAY, covering a wide range of topics and issues related to Japan past and present.
topics:
I enjoy tweeting and share my ideas on a wide range of topics with (when possible) a humorous angle. Topics I write about include life in Japan, my struggles with Japanese, my thoughts on cultural differences, the music I collect & listen to and my interest in humanism, philosophy + social psychology especially as it relates to the differences between life in the East & the West.
My music career (in a nutshell)
As a professional Jazz organist I’ve recorded three CDs that have had national airplay. My debut CD charted in the mid-20s and Top 10 in many towns, also receiving coast-to-coast airplay on NPR’s Jazz After Hours. I’m also the author of a book on Jazz improv called “The 7 Secrets of Jazz & Soul” & I’m the owner of the two most spoiled poodles on PLANET EARTH. — Regarding my musical training, I was one of a legend of my instrument’s last students, Big John Patton — I also studied with Shirley Scott and have studied or worked with other famous players. Clients of mine have included Clavia Instruments, Yamaha Motorcycles & Victor Records. — I have also written lyrics, assisted in vocal production & coached the Japanese pop group Special Others. Please go here for my full bio as a musician.
I’ve also had a long career as an EFL instructor…
In addition to my career as a professional musician, I’ve had almost 20 years experience teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language, intitially working with immigrants & refugees in the city of Philadelphia from over 70 different nationalities & language groups.
My training has included courses & certification from The Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, The International Language Institute of Halifax & Cambridge University. I have also studied at Goddard College, Thomas Edison State College & Temple University.
Since coming to Japan students of mine have included employees of major corporations, government officials, celebrities and members of a wide variety of professions including attorneys, business consultants, physicians, engineers & architects. I have also taught TOEIC courses, job interview prep courses as well as PowerPoint Presentation.
As an ESL/EFL instructor in Japan, I am what unique as I had teaching experiene prior to living abroad, was a psychology major & have had experience using a great deal of the texts in use at community centers and schools around the U.S. As a result of this, I am one of a limited number of EFL instructors in Japan who is able to work well with very low level students, as well as help students with very low TOEIC scores make rapid progress in their listening comprehension & speaking skills. - - My experience as a musician/entertainer/musical director has also given me added experience in areas related to PR, management, voice training as well as public speaking.
Currently, I do not teach full time, but teach a limited number of classes & private students, mainly in my immediate area, Saitama-ken. For further information, please e-mail me at eddielandsberg@mac.com.
Follow me… let’s engage!!!
You can find out more about me, my music career, writings and endeavors by exploring the entirety of this site or following me on twitter. Hope to see you there!!!
