Preserving the Legacy of David Sharp

Sometimes the most meaningful connections happen when you least expect them. This past fall, Marc Mommaas, co-founder of the New York Jazz Workshop, was researching educational materials online when he stumbled upon a website called Jazz for Piano—a treasure trove of jazz theory, analysis, and improvisation resources created by the late Canadian musician and educator David Sharp. Marc was immediately impressed by the depth and clarity of the content. The materials spoke to him as a musical educator, offering the kind of practical, thoughtful approach to jazz education that’s increasingly rare. He reached out through the website, hoping to learn more.

What Marc didn’t know was that the website’s domain had recently expired, about a year after David’s passing. His inquiry eventually reached Paul Sharp, David’s son, a research academic living in Sydney, Australia. Despite the time difference and the distance, Paul, Marc connected. Paul shared his father’s story with us: David Sharp was a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Music program who was involved in Vancouver’s thriving jazz scene during the mid-1970s. He was a regular at the legendary Oil Can Harry’s, where he attended performances by jazz greats including Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, and Oscar Peterson. Throughout his life, David performed at venues across Vancouver and Victoria, delivered lecture series at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and self-published books on jazz theory. Later on in his life, David developed Jazz for Piano as a comprehensive educational resource—studies on rhythm, intervals, chords, and scales, plus detailed analyses of famous jazz songs complete with analyses, explanations, links to recordings, and sheet music.

Paul wanted his father’s work to remain accessible to students and musicians who could benefit from it. At the New York Jazz Workshop, we’ve always believed that jazz education thrives when knowledge is shared freely and generously. David Sharp’s materials embody that very principle. His work represents thousands of hours of study, teaching, and love for music. We felt that David’s hard work deserved to be preserved and celebrated. We proposed integrating David’s materials into our blog, giving full credit to David Sharp and telling his story. Paul was immediately supportive. He sent us the WordPress backup files, compiled a bio of his father, and shared his own memories.

Today, we’re honored to announce that David Sharp’s Jazz for Piano materials are now available here on the New York Jazz Workshop website. Every article bears David’s name and links to his bio. His analyses, his teaching approach, his passion for helping students bridge the gap between theory and improvisation—all of it remains intact and freely accessible.

David Sharp dedicated his life to jazz education, and now his work continues to teach, inspire, and guide musicians who may never have known him personally, but will benefit from his insights. We’re grateful to Paul Sharp for entrusting us with his father’s legacy, and to Marc Mommaas for recognizing something special when he saw it. As co-founders of the New York Jazz Workshop, we’re honored to preserve and share David Sharp’s dedication to jazz education. You can begin exploring David Sharp’s materials in our blog section. Whether you’re working on rhythm, intervals, chord progressions, or diving deep into tune analysis, David’s clear, thoughtful approach will serve you well. Browse David Sharp’s Jazz for Piano materials here.

If you find his work valuable, please share it with other musicians and students. That’s exactly what David would have wanted. — In loving memory of David Sharp, and in gratitude to his family for sharing his work with the jazz community.

-Marco Chelo, NYJW Co-Founder