The Music Store

08/09/2024

05/21/2024

I am announcing that I am no longer affiliated with The Music Store (J & M Music Inc). The store is currently closed. I do not know what the future holds for the store. Brendon Dezember in The Guitar Service Center (joined by Jeff Naylor of Baker amps) will continue doing repairs at that location. Private music lessons at The Music Store Studios will continue as well, as I am teaching guitar and bass there. I can be reached at [email protected] (or message me privately) if you are interested.

This has been the best job ever for the past 31 years. I am thankful to the late Skip Garber who hired me as a teacher 38 years ago. I am so appreciative to everyone who has helped make the store amazing! Lives were changed through making Great Music, with our help. I'm happy to say 5 successful marriages adding 3 children to them, happened with people meeting while working at the store!

I've learned so much from everyone while making life long friends. I continue as a full time musician and teacher, as well as instrumental music director at Horizon Church with my former boss Robin Wood. I'm am thrilled to spend the rest of my life with Heather Johnson, who has been my champion, standing by my side these last 6 years. Thank you all the former outstanding staff, and wonderful customers and students who have given me a life one could only dream of, and encouraging me to continue changing lives though music.

02/06/2024

So this weekend I'm performing with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra in a tribute to the music of Abba. There is a wonderful 6 piece vocal group Rajaton featured. Looking forward to music with my symphony friends again. As always, so much thanks to my store staff, Alex Johnson for helping me with gear loading, and of course Heather at home for her massive support and encouragement.

https://www.phoenixsymphony.org/show/the-ultimate-abba-tribute/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social_paid&utm_campaign=abba&fbclid=IwAR2guPyoBWcjJGBKiv2oI4vsB3CsGmdLf4XWnyQVcZXbwB1_QPeh3FcQFD8

Renowned Finnish vocal sensation Rajaton takes the music of ABBA to a whole new level with “The Ultimate ABBA Tribute.” Take a chance and enjoy your favorite ABBA hits including “Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen,” “SOS” and “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” with guest conductor Stuart Chafetz lead...

12/05/2023

So I severely sprained my right knee last night. After waiting 7 hours in the ER, very nice kind people took great care of me. A note to all my friends: do not try the Hokey Pokey on the stairs with your arms full. It's not the sticking you right foot in, and your right foot out. It's the shaking it all about and falling on your ass.
Extra big thanks to Heather and Alex for helping me move in and out of the house screaming in pain. I'd also like to send a big thank you for my store staff for handling things, and great bassist Mike Hall for subbing the sub performance tonight at the Chandler Gilbert college big band.

Jon Paul Escobedo

10/26/2023

We are celebrating 30 years of Lawrence Petross teaching at The Music Store. He has had such an amazing impact on students here. Lawrence was also the first person we hired to work at the store, so very long ago.

10/18/2023

Today is the 30th anniversary of owning "The Music Store". Together with Merri for 28 of these years, we've grown formerly "Garber Music" into a wonderful home for families to get support in making better music. My 37 years here, teaching for seven years initially, has been an amazing blessing. I am so thankful for her amazing impact on people, the staff, and continuously making me smarter and sharper, while giving so much into this store. I'm also thankful to all the staff and teachers, who helped customers and students joyfully realize their musical potential. I also want to thank my fiancé Heather Johnson, who has regularly helped me remember the true path for the store, by serving families, students, and caring for the staff. I'm a very lucky guy to have such a great life.

Jon Paul Escobedo
Owner - The Music Store

08/22/2023

If you're ready to dive into the world of clarinet, saxophone, or even piano, we've got the perfect opportunity for you!

Introducing Alexandrea Chea, an exceptional clarinetist and musician based in Tempe, AZ. Pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts at Arizona State University, Alexandrea is making waves in the music scene under the guidance of Dr. Robert Spring and Dr. Joshua Gardner.

🌟 About Alexandrea Chea:
🎵 Classically trained clarinetist pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts at ASU.
🎵 Immersed in contemporary music and various genres including Klezmer and Jazz.
🎵 Double Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Music from Messiah College.
🎵 Holds a repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary extended techniques.
🎵 Experience with orchestras, opera associations, and even solo performances internationally.

🎉 Lesson Info:
💲 Rates: $25 for half an hour, $50 for an hour.
🗓️ Lesson days: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
🎵 Instruments Taught: Clarinet, Beginning Piano, Saxophone.

Contact Alexandrea at [email protected] or visit https://www.the-music-store.com/lessons/all.html for more info!

08/13/2023

Unleash your inner guitarist with Eric Bart, a musical pro with a performance history dating back to age 16. From Tanya Tucker to Stevie Wonder, Eric's played with legends, even gracing European festivals!

🌟 Lessons by Eric:
🎸 All styles and levels taught, including ukulele.
🎸 Studio lessons available.

💲 $25 per 30-min session.
🗓️ Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat availability.
🎸 Instruments: Guitar, Ukulele.

Contact Eric at [email protected], or visit https://www.the-music-store.com/lessons/all.html for more info!

08/09/2023

Meet Kyle Barentine, our drumming expert at The Music Store!

🌟 About Kyle:
Kyle teaches percussion and drumming techniques at The Music Store. He specializes in beginning to intermediate instruction with an emphasis on band and orchestra students. Kyle has been teaching privately for 22 years and has extensive playing experience in marching, orchestral, and popular music. Kyle worked with and taught at the University of South Carolina, and worked with Garfield and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in the late 1980's. He is the recipient of the Most Outstanding Percussionist in the state of South Carolina. Kyle continues to play professionally and working as a DJ.

🎉 Lesson Info:
💲 $25 for 30 minutes
🗓️ Mon/Wed/Thu availability
🥁 Instruments: Drums

Don't miss your chance to learn from a true pro. Contact Kyle at [email protected], or visit https://www.the-music-store.com/lessons/all.html for more info!

07/27/2023

Our guitar teacher, Eric Bart, has increased his availability for lessons!
Click here to learn more:
https://www.the-music-store.com/lessons/guitar.html

07/27/2023

The Music Store was featured in an interview with Stephen Bradford on Fox News last night!
Watch the interview here:

A local Army veteran came home after serving this country and felt alone. He found rock bottom, lost just about everything, but thankfully music pulled him out of his misery. Now, he runs a program helping other veterans just like him. It's called "Instruments 4 Success."

04/14/2023

One of the greatest successes The Music Store has ever had, is the children that have come from the couples who met here