Dennis Haklar

Always close to NYC, I grew up with some really great music, Beatles, Yes, Progressive Rock, Classical and Jazz. I began my studies of music in a small music shop by a brilliant guitarist named Brian Tiernan. He showed me the importance of playing outside the box. I went on to study jazz with Harry Leahey, who really opened up my mind to hear music in an entirely different way. Then came the Rutgers years, where I further developed my appreciation of music. I studied with minimalist Daniel Goode, and joined his Improvising Structures Ensemble (also where I played with saxophonist Eric Kloss). We put on performances of pieces by John Cage, Terry Riley, and originals. This was also the time when Ted Dunbar, Larry Ridley, and Kenny Barron were on the scene teaching us jazz. I continue my musical journey with Larry Coryell, who shows me how to tune in to what is really important within a piece. I live with my awesome wife and children in the East looking ever forward to the West. Life moves fast so I flow with the changes.Thanks for visiting this page.Dennis ::