If you have ever wanted to see what jazz is about, now is your time.

Tim Cummiskey, a lecturer of jazz studies in the Ohio State School of Music, is presenting an overview of jazz guitar genres at 8 p.m. Nov. 9 in Weigel Auditorium.

“This show is going to be a historical perspective on jazz guitar styles. So it is going to encompass the bop and post-bop eras and the guitar’s role in those styles,” Cummiskey said.

Cummiskey will be accompanied by two other School of Music faculty members for his performance.

Andy Woodson will be playing bass and Jim Rupp will man the drums.
These are some of the finest musicians in the nation, Cummiskey said.

In addition to playing music and lecturing on the topic, Cummiskey is a regular contributor to magazines such as Downbeat, Jazz Improv, and Just Jazz Guitar, making him a notable expert on Jazz. He usually writes on the topics of guitar techniques and stylistic innovations. He also supplies guitar transcriptions.

Besides magazine writing, Cummiskey wrote his first book, “Learning Tunes Workout,” in 2005. Mel Bay Publications published the book, which is a guide to developing a working knowledge of jazz guitar methods for the beginning-to-intermediate player.

When Cummiskey isn’t leading his band in performance, he often complements other jazz musicians as a sideman.

He has played with a variety of musicians including Gene Bertoncini, Neil Sedaka, Benny Golson and John Abercrombie. He has also played with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

Cummiskey’s interest in musical styles such as bebop and post-bop comes out of a belief that well-formulated styles are able to spur new ideas.

“Any sophisticated artistic tradition always has a very rich heritage as well as being a common source to be drawn upon that is a spring board for innovation in the future,” he said.

But a previous understanding of the styles isn’t needed to enjoy the playing, Cummiskey said.

“It is going to be a great performance,” he said.

“It is something the OSU community should avail itself to, whether it is somebody who knows something about jazz, someone who is just curious, or someone just interested in checking it out.”

Cummiskey has a MySpace page featuring some of his recordings from his album “alone together.”

Both “alone together” and another album, “Redeeming the Time,” were put out on the label Cojazz Recordings, which is based in Lancaster, Ohio.

General admission is $12. It is $6 for senior citizens and students with ID.