About

Aaron Stroessner Quartet

The Aaron Stroessner Quartet goes back to 2012, when Aaron first visited Lincoln auditioning for graduate school at the University of Nebraska. Having spent nearly 15 years in New York City,  he was looking for a college town with a viable music scene. After auditioning for the school in the afternoon, Aaron saw Tinsley Ellis that night at the local blues club, the Zoo Bar. One of the oldest blues clubs in the country, the layout and vibe felt very much like the clubs in New York City.

Within months of starting school, Aaron started playing with the Jazzocracy every Tuesday night at the Zoo Bar. Within months he was joined by Mitch Benson on bass. That version of Jazzocracy lasted for almost four years. Typical pay would be $20 and a beer. Those were the days.

Kevin Lloyd grew up in Lincoln, and his first gig was at Lee’s Chicken Restaurant at age 13, a gig he kept for 11 years. They couldn’t pay him until he turned 14, so for the first year the restaurant paid his family in chicken. As a teenager, Kevin played with blues legend Magic Slim. Kevin was known in Lincoln and Omaha as a consummate player and collector of B3 organs, and was into playing new material. Kevin stopped by the Zoo bar, caught the Jazzocracy, and gave Aaron his card.

Still in graduate school, Aaron delayed the idea of starting a new project, instead using school recitals as opportunities to write original material. Half of the songs on Haymarket Station were performed in those recitals, but due to limited rehearsal time, those performances weren’t fully realized. As school ended in 2016, Aaron asked Kevin if he’d be interested in playing. After months of one-offs in Lincoln and Omaha, the band settled into a regular performance schedule that has endured since.

Andrew Wray rounded out the quartet in 2018. Hailing from Kansas City, Andrew also moved to Lincoln to attend UNL. The son of music educator Ben Wray, Andrew clearly plays the drums like a man beyond his years. Andrew Wray appears on both of the groups CDs. “Gifts’ features bassist Andrew Mell, who also relocated to Lincoln to attend UNL.

Andrew Wray, Aaron Stroessner, Mitch Benson, and Kevin Lloyd
Recording Haymarket Station
November 4, 2018.

Andrew Way, Drums

Mitchell Benson, Bass

Kevin Lloyd, Hammond B3 Organ

Aaron Stroessner

To describe the music of the Aaron Stroessner Quartet; a brief look at the life of the composer, Aaron Stroessner (Stressner).  
 
Aaron grew up in tiny Monroe, Wisconsin, at a time when, strangely, the area seemed to rule rock, with bands like Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, and Styx from nearby. While too young to see those bands, Aaron, the youngest of a big family, grew up a bit of a rock aficionado, more perceptive listener than active participant, although he played guitar along with his albums in the family’s basement. Putting a band together seemed like a dream, but finding other players was nearly impossible.  Going to college in Madison, Wisconsin, Aaron came under the spell of slide blues guitarist Paul Black, a local legend, and roots music came to the fore. Within two years Aaron transferred to Berklee school of music to study guitar. At that time there were many great players to see in Boston, young guys like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Roy Hargrove, and John Medeski. Aaron’s horizons expanded further, again, through sheer exposure.   
 
Moving to New York in 1991, Aaron was ready to make a statement. He found his voice returning to his roots, fronting the rock band Dead Left, which he called ‘country/punk/grunge/pop.’ The band released 4 CDs which garnered some attention from major labels, and played what were some of NYC’s most notorious rock clubs, including CBGBs, the original Knitting Factory, Arlene’s Grocery and the Continental. But after almost a decade, Aaron’s days of singing (and being a rocker) seemed, well, over. A return to jazz, now as a writer and player, felt like another return to his past, to a different part of his past, always an encouraging sign. Years after Berklee, attended graduate schools at New York University and then the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, with hopes of becoming a music professor (guitar is so poorly represented) but happy just to be playing.  
 
For those of you still reading, Aaron did become a professor, teaching adjunct at several colleges, and still plays with Jazzocracy on Tuesday nights!
Andrew Wray, Aaron Stroessner, Mitch Benson, and Kevin Lloyd
Recording Haymarket Station
November 4, 2018.

Andrew Way, Drums

Mitchell Benson, Bass

Kevin Lloyd, Hammond B3 Organ

Aaron Stroessner Quartet

The Aaron Stroessner Quartet goes back to 2012, when Aaron first visited Lincoln auditioning for graduate school at the University of Nebraska. Having spent nearly 15 years in New York City,  he was looking for a college town with a viable music scene. After auditioning for the school in the afternoon, Aaron saw Tinsley Ellis that night at the local blues club, the Zoo Bar. One of the oldest blues clubs in the country, the layout and vibe felt very much like the clubs in New York City.

Within months of starting school, Aaron started playing with the Jazzocracy every Tuesday night at the Zoo Bar. Within months he was joined by Mitch Benson on bass. That version of Jazzocracy lasted for almost four years. Typical pay would be $20 and a beer. Those were the days.

Kevin Lloyd grew up in Lincoln, and his first gig was at Lee’s Chicken Restaurant at age 13, a gig he kept for 11 years. They couldn’t pay him until he turned 14, so for the first year the restaurant paid his family in chicken. As a teenager, Kevin played with blues legend Magic Slim. Kevin was known in Lincoln and Omaha as a consummate player and collector of B3 organs, and was into playing new material. Kevin stopped by the Zoo bar, caught the Jazzocracy, and gave Aaron his card.

Still in graduate school, Aaron delayed the idea of starting a new project, instead using school recitals as opportunities to write original material. Half of the songs on Haymarket Station were performed in those recitals, but due to limited rehearsal time, those performances weren’t fully realized. As school ended in 2016, Aaron asked Kevin if he’d be interested in playing. After months of one-offs in Lincoln and Omaha, the band settled into a regular performance schedule that has endured since.

Andrew Wray rounded out the quartet in 2018. Hailing from Kansas City, Andrew also moved to Lincoln to attend UNL. The son of music educator Ben Wray, Andrew clearly plays the drums like a man beyond his years. Andrew Wray appears on both of the groups CDs. “Gifts’ features bassist Andrew Mell, who also relocated to Lincoln to attend UNL.

Guitar Lessons

While I have a graduate degree in guitar, I was self-taught as a kid and can relate to a variety of students because of that. My lessons incorporate music theory and ear training in very practical ways and with a background as a singer-songwriter, I can help students pursue many different musical directions. While the specific goals of lessons vary greatly, the ultimate goal does not, to instill in you the desire to keep learning and playing once the lesson has ended.

Guitar lessons are available in person or via Skype or Zoom.

TESTIMONIAL

“I first saw Aaron at a venue he was playing at with some other professors in a jazz group. I immediately noticed his mastery of the guitar and how easily he was able to execute musical ideas and improvise. I inquired about taking lessons from him shortly after this.

He is the kind of teacher that was able to recognize right away where I was as a musician. By the way I’ve been playing guitar for 20+ years and have had many music teachers. Also I gig regularly with several bands. At our first lesson he was able to explain concepts to me that were previously confusing and give me a whole new musical direction.

His approach to teaching has helped me to understand how to constantly learn new things on my own. Also how to mentally practice when I don’t have an instrument.

I would definitely recommend him and I have referred him to many people in person. He is an incredibly knowledgeable, talented, and humble teacher and musician. Another great aspect of his teaching is that he asks questions and tries to really understand where the student is coming from and what they want to learn. I’m very thankful to have met such a wonderful teacher. He has helped open many musical doors that before seemed impossible and confusing.”

Please reach out using the form below to inquire about guitar lessons.  Thank you!

Private Guitar Lesson 

Master Classes 

Dr. Stroessner has presented master classes at private music schools, colleges, and conservatories in topics ranging from music history, improvisation, ensemble interaction, guitar performance, and music industry.

Please reach out using the form below to inquire about guest presentations.  Thank you! 

Nebraska Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble – Aaron Stroessner, Director 

Aaron Stroessner

To describe the music of the Aaron Stroessner Quartet; a brief look at the life of the composer, Aaron Stroessner (Stressner).  
 
Aaron grew up in tiny Monroe, Wisconsin, at a time when, strangely, the area seemed to rule rock, with bands like Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, and Styx from nearby. While too young to see those bands, Aaron, the youngest of a big family, grew up a bit of a rock aficionado, more perceptive listener than active participant, although he played guitar along with his albums in the family’s basement. Putting a band together seemed like a dream, but finding other players was nearly impossible.  Going to college in Madison, Wisconsin, Aaron came under the spell of slide blues guitarist Paul Black, a local legend, and roots music came to the fore. Within two years Aaron transferred to Berklee school of music to study guitar. At that time there were many great players to see in Boston, young guys like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Roy Hargrove, and John Medeski. Aaron’s horizons expanded further, again, through sheer exposure.   
 
Moving to New York in 1991, Aaron was ready to make a statement. He found his voice returning to his roots, fronting the rock band Dead Left, which he called ‘country/punk/grunge/pop.’ The band released 4 CDs which garnered some attention from major labels, and played what were some of NYC’s most notorious rock clubs, including CBGBs, the original Knitting Factory, Arlene’s Grocery and the Continental. But after almost a decade, Aaron’s days of singing (and being a rocker) seemed, well, over. A return to jazz, now as a writer and player, felt like another return to his past, to a different part of his past, always an encouraging sign. Years after Berklee, attended graduate schools at New York University and then the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, with hopes of becoming a music professor (guitar is so poorly represented) but happy just to be playing.  
 
For those of you still reading, Aaron did become a professor, teaching adjunct at several colleges, and still plays with Jazzocracy on Tuesday nights!

Private Guitar Lesson 

Guitar Lessons

While I have a graduate degree in guitar, I was self-taught as a kid and can relate to a variety of students because of that. My lessons incorporate music theory and ear training in very practical ways and with a background as a singer-songwriter, I can help students pursue many different musical directions. While the specific goals of lessons vary greatly, the ultimate goal does not, to instill in you the desire to keep learning and playing once the lesson has ended.

Guitar lessons are available in person or via Skype or Zoom.

TESTIMONIAL

“I first saw Aaron at a venue he was playing at with some other professors in a jazz group. I immediately noticed his mastery of the guitar and how easily he was able to execute musical ideas and improvise. I inquired about taking lessons from him shortly after this.

He is the kind of teacher that was able to recognize right away where I was as a musician. By the way I’ve been playing guitar for 20+ years and have had many music teachers. Also I gig regularly with several bands. At our first lesson he was able to explain concepts to me that were previously confusing and give me a whole new musical direction.

His approach to teaching has helped me to understand how to constantly learn new things on my own. Also how to mentally practice when I don’t have an instrument.

I would definitely recommend him and I have referred him to many people in person. He is an incredibly knowledgeable, talented, and humble teacher and musician. Another great aspect of his teaching is that he asks questions and tries to really understand where the student is coming from and what they want to learn. I’m very thankful to have met such a wonderful teacher. He has helped open many musical doors that before seemed impossible and confusing.”

Please reach out using the form below to inquire about guitar lessons.  Thank you!

Nebraska Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble – Aaron Stroessner, Director 

                

Master Classes 

Dr. Stroessner has presented master classes at private music schools, colleges, and conservatories in topics ranging from music history, improvisation, ensemble interaction, guitar performance, and music industry.

Please reach out using the form below to inquire about guest presentations.  Thank you! 

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Aaron StroEssner

Lincoln, NE