Dr. McKay Tebbs Releases Third Album
Published: September 25, 2024 | Author: Kol Gibson | Read Time: 3 minutes
Accomplished guitarist and Southern Utah University Commercial Music program director, Dr. McKay Tebbs, has released his third album, Guitar Art Vol. 1. Known for his unique blend of jazz and rock, Tebbs delivers a new collection of songs that explore intricate melodies, unconventional chord progressions, and rich, layered soundscapes.
"This album follows the jazz/rock genre," says Tebbs. "The sound and production have a rock feel, but the melodies and song structures are heavily jazz-influenced." Guitar Art Vol. 1 continues in the stylistic footsteps of his previous album The Way, while also pushing musical boundaries with orchestral influences, sampled sounds, and even themes from basketball.
After moving to Cedar City to lead SUU's Commercial Music program, Tebbs found it challenging to balance teaching with his passion for guitar. "It has been hard to find time to record," Tebbs admits. "But I decided that I don't need to release everything at once. That's when the idea of releasing Guitar Art as a series of volumes came to me. I plan to release Vol. 2 next summer."
The new album, featuring collaborations with talented musicians such as drummers Matt LeFevre and Sheldon Stevens and saxophonist Drew Holland, was created with a meticulous production process. Tebbs explains how he layers bass, rhythm guitar, and a scratch drum track before recording live drums and main guitar melodies. "The hardest part is dialing in the right tone from the amp," he adds, emphasizing the trial and error involved in capturing the perfect sound.
Tebbs' role as an educator has also influenced his recording approach. "Teaching microphone placement, songwriting, and stereo techniques to my students helps me apply these concepts to my own work," he says.
For aspiring musicians, Tebbs offers this advice: "Remember that music starts with you. Learn your instrument well, study your favorite songs, and always write away from the computer first."
Listen to Guitar Art Vol. 1 on Spotify. For more information about Commercial Music at SUU, please visit www.suu.edu/pva/music/commercial-music.html.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 41 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, filmmaking, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year which are complemented by the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and Shakespeare Studies at SUU, and is affiliated with the Tony award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF). Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.
Tags: Commercial Music Music Technology Music Faculty College of Performing and Visual Arts
Contact Information:
Kol Gibson
435-865-8667
kolgibson@suu.edu