Concerts, Workshops and Clinics

Jefferson is also available for Concerts, Workshops and Clinics.

Contact us to schedule Dr. Jefferson for a concert, worship service, workshop or clinic. Jefferson has conducted clinics nationally and internationally, teaching people of various races, denominations, and ethnic groups, the rich legacy of Gospel Music and Cultural Diversity within the Body of Christ. He also gives clinics at educational institutions and conferences nationwide. Workshop topics include:

1. Learn How to Play Gospel Music
This session is for beginners through advanced students who have a desire to learn how to play the piano as well as learn how to play Gospel Music. You can specify beginning students, advanced students or a combined class for those who would like to know the beginning basics through the advanced methods in order to expand your personal knowledge and be able to share these methods with others. This workshop is also offered to instructors and educators who would like to know how to incorporate Gospel Music into their high school or college music curriculum; both through class piano instruction and through the general music curriculum. Groups of 20 to 50 students. (Prior arrangements may be made for smaller groups)

2. Teaching/Learning By Rote VS Teaching/Learning By Note


This session demonstrates the advantages of combining an overall teaching scheme through the use of by rote and by note teaching and learning. Jefferson demonstrates techniques which can be used by elementary through college educators.

• Incorporating Rap music in teaching music notation
• Using scat to help with listening skills
• Demonstrating the similarities and differences in classical/jazz/gospel/R&B, etc. and using these similarities to help bridge "gaps" in musical styles and practices.

3. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble
This clinic is for the college or high school Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Jefferson will coach your existing vocal jazz ensemble and advise music educators in starting and developing a vocal jazz program.

• Starting a Vocal Jazz Ensemble
• Vocal Jazz Ensemble Techniques
• Obtaining Vocal Jazz Ensemble literature

*Groups of 20 or more students (Prior arrangements may be made for smaller groups)

4. Developing Your Church Music Program
This clinic/workshop is directed toward Pastors and Music Ministers who would like to develop and/or expand their overall church music program

• How do I start a Contemporary Praise Service?
• How do I recruit new choir members?
• How do I select musicians for the church service?
• How do I engage the congregation to become involved in the worship service?
• How do I build relationships with other music departments outside of my own church?

*Groups of 20 or more students (Prior arrangements may be made for smaller groups)

5. Gospel Music Workshops
These workshops are given to various groups irregardless of ethnic, racial, or denominational background. Dr. Jefferson will cover music from Spirituals to Contemporary Gospel. This is a very hands on workshop and usually extends over a three day period, culminating in a concert on the final day of the workshop. Jefferson does not just run through new music, but he gives both the historical background of the music as well as performance practices, vocal technique, breathing techniques, and movement. The entire package! All who have participated in one of Jefferson´s Gospel Workshops have come away saying that they were indeed "Spiritually and musically uplifted!"
(* Groups of 20 or more)

6. Cross Cultural Communication Within the Body of Christ
This workshop entails Biblical methods for promoting spiritual unity within the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13; And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unit of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Acts Chapter 10; Acts Chapter 11)

• Methods for making your church more racially diverse and ethnically connected
• Integrating your multi-language services into one unified service
• Bridging age barriers
• Methods of establishing fellowship among local churches

*Groups of 20 or more students (Prior arrangements may be made for smaller groups)

7. Financial Increase and Real Estate Investing
This session is a class given jointly by Jefferson and his wife, Pensacola. They offer practical advice and information concerning increasing your wealth through real estate. They share with you their own personal experience in acquiring and selling real estate and acquiring rental properties. They also share valuable information on starting your own business. A very informative and practical class.
*Groups of 20 to 50 students.

About Dr. Jefferson's Background and Philosophy

Jefferson´s first piano teacher, Mary O. Lewis along with his numerous mentors, including Alma Androzzo, the composer of one of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's most favorite songs; "If I Can Help Somebody," instilled in him at an early age the importance of writing down and sharing what he had learned with others.

During his childhood, Jefferson was developing his leadership and entrepreneurial skills under the guidance of his parents and elders. As a young child, his mother would take him to churches throughout Arizona to play for events throughout the Arizona National Baptist Convention. He lovingly jokes with his mother, "You took me on a circuit when I was a kid." He eventually started teaching private piano at age 14.

Jefferson continues to have an insatiable curiosity about numerous topics, from music, to investing, to human relationships. Motivated by God´s love for him through Jesus Christ, Jefferson feels that because of God's mercy and grace toward him, he will always remain indebted to his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Because of his broad interests, Jefferson did not feel that he had to limit himself to one particular style of music. His early training began with Gospel Music through the church, playing by ear; and learning Classical Music through his private piano lessons. He sometimes says, "It was like learning two different languages simultaneously. At church, there was very little written musical notation, while at school, however, there was only written musical notation. As a result, both idioms were of equal importance."

He naively thought that everyone had this same experience, but was surprised to find out that there were groups of musicians who play wonderfully by ear but the written score was like reading ancient Greek to them, and on the other hand, there were groups of musicians who could play almost any musical score you placed in front of them, but when it came to playing by ear, they were completely dumbfounded.

Jefferson goes on to say, "Being able to read musical notation and play by ear has allowed me to have the best of both worlds." This philosophy it what he basis his books and teaching materials on. I Cor 9:22b I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

"Although I realize that it is not everyone´s desire to be able to play all styles of music, or play for all styles of worship services, I personally believe that the ability to play both by music and by ear has literally opened up the world to me. Some say that it is not good to be a ´Jack of all trades and a master of none,´ but I feel that you can be a ´master of many trades.´

Jefferson´s knowledge and ability to perform various styles of music has opened many doors outside of music and has helped to shape him into becoming the individual that he is today. He is now able to co-mingle with those in the Jazz arena, or the classical arena, or in the broad Christian Music arena, between the various musical styles of the Christian Church

This has opened up doors for one of Jefferson´s other passions; "Cross Cultural Communication Within the Body of Christ." In the church today, particularly the church in America, there are broad divisions within the Body of Christ. These divisions are based upon worship styles, tradition, language barriers, but most of all, upon RACE. Sunday, the "Lord´s Day," remains the most segregated day in America. This is unfortunate and also morally wrong, especially considering the fact that the early Christian Church and almost the entire book of Acts, speaks of racial unity within the Church. God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, has used music as a means of preparing Jefferson for God´s purpose, the "unity of the faith."

Ephesians 4:11-13 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unit of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Unity and diversity within the Body of Christ was not something that Jefferson desired as a life long dream or passion, but God in His mercy has seen fit that He use Jefferson for this purpose. "I would not choose this mission on my own, actually, I would rather be doing something that was less controversial, but may God´s will be done in my life."

*For more info and rates, please contact Pensacola Publications at 1-800-289-9258

More Testimonials

"I bought the Precious Lord book...I loved it. My music sounds so much better."
Reading Assistant, Denver, CO

"Dear Mr. Jefferson, Bless God for you and your books. I now have a new outlook on the piano and gospel music."
Forest, MS

"I´ve just received book 2. What a wonderful resource! I truly appreciate your note for note transcriptions and performances on the tape. A bright light to be sure..."
Minneapolis, MN

"I have Precious Lord. It´s a great book! You are filling a vital need in the music world."
New Marshfield, OH

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