The Jazz Music Institute was founded in 1996 and has been a higher education tertiary institution since 2009. In the following blog series of ‘Where Are They Now?’, we talk to some of our alumni who we haven’t heard from in quite some time! We find out where life has taken them since graduation, and how studying at JMI benefited them throughout their career and life. For this particular blog, we were lucky to chat with JMI alumni Blair Westbrook who was one of the very first students to enrol and complete JMI’s Bachelor program, starting in 2009 and graduating in 2012! Read on for the full interview.
Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you play?
I started playing drums when I was 10yrs old in a marching band and formed my first band at 11yrs old when I got a drum kit. We played Rage Against the Machine covers and then started writing our own hip hop music. I went through high school self-taught playing in multiple different bands, mostly doing original music.I started studying drums at JMI in 2009 graduated in 2012, this was when it was transitioning from a Diploma into the Bachelor’s degree. I did multiple recordings and was gigging mostly 2 times a week for several years in the original music scene in Brisbane until about 2014/2015.
What have you been doing since graduating from JMI? After JMI I went on to complete a postgraduate diploma in education at QUT when that was still available. This was to give me more options for teaching and allowed me to earn an income. I then went on to teach for 4 years on Thursday Island for Education QLD as a percussion instrumental teacher (1 year) and high school music teacher (3 years). This was a wonderful experience, and I grew a lot as a person. Teaching in rural/remote areas is an awesome way to learn and experience indigenous cultures in ways you never could as a tourist/visitor.
When I was on the island, I got into firefighting, this lead to me pursuing it as a career outside of music. I applied to Queensland Fire and Rescue in 2018 and got a job back in Brisbane at Roma St fire station in 2019 as a firefighter. This is where I currently work full time as a Firefighter. I have a young family (2 boys) and live in Ipswich.
What has been one of your biggest musical highlights in your career thus far? Travelling and touring with my mates and teaching people how to play music.
As an instrumental teacher on Thursday Island, I had the best experiences with the students. These kids had never played in a percussion ensemble or performed outside of their cultural dancing and singing traditions. I would write songs that were inspired by certain students, and we would perform them for the community. It was wonderful to expose them to something new and fun, which made their school experience much more positive.
Unfortunately, the school ran out of funding and the program was shut down after one year, which was disappointing for the kids and families. Hence, why I moved to the high school for classroom music.
What are your future goals in music? I am currently not playing in any bands as I find it too difficult with my current life circumstances and priorities. I do however, once a year I participate in a blind music camp run by Dotted Beats and sponsored by Variety and teach casually at a disability school. I eventually would love to build a music space at my house to set up my drum kit and other instruments for my boys.
How has studying at JMI helped you to get where you are? JMI gave me the opportunity to gain a higher education and I am grateful for that. I was rejected from the Conservatorium, Southbank Tafe and QUT.
Greg [Quigley, founder of JMI] gave me a chance that day. I walked into the old building on the corner, and he said, “What instrument do you play?” I said “Drums” and he directed me to the piano. I was confused, but I understand now that he was seeing if he could develop me as a musician and not just as a drummer. The Bachelor was the first education that I enjoyed. I had a wonderful time at JMI and would recommend it any person that wants to be pushed and become a better musician.
What advice would you have for someone thinking about studying music and especially jazz? When I was nearing the end of my JMI degree I was wondering where it would lead me. I was concerned that the only prospect was to be a performer and I was having trouble making a living already doing that. However, I think having the ability to upskill to have a teaching qualification on top of the Bachelor was a great move for me. It gave me the opportunity to do more with music other than just performing.
Studying jazz, I think as given me the ability to think and react quickly to things going on around me, work well in a team and gain the ability to listen. A lot of people have trouble listening and being sensitive to others, however I think studying music gives you the skills to do that.
I, as a drummer was taught very early on that you needed to make the others around you sound good otherwise the music would suffer. Would I always do this? No — and the teachers at JMI would pull me in and make me aware of this. This helps me a lot in my current job, I try to make people feel comfortable so we can work as a cohesive team.
What musicians have you been listening to lately? Lawrence, Snarky Puppy, Blue Juice, Jurassic 5.
Any advice for current students as they complete their Bachelor?
It does not matter how good you are at your instrument; it is about how good you make everyone in your band sound and feel. Focus on developing as a whole musician; reading, composing, teaching, analysing, digital/technical and playing etc. You need to develop a full range of skills as a musician to make a living.
This was a part of my education that I failed in, I spent a lot of time just developing my drumming skills and did not focus as much on the other skills. Hence, I had to look for other options to make a living. However, teaching comes more naturally to me, and I think everyone that develops a skill should learn how to pass that on to the next generation.
