"I play keyboard in working ensembles in the Chicagoland area. In my jazz studies, I worked with a number of teachers, including...[but] I can see now via my working with Frank that their pedagogy lacked the critical elements of teaching a student to be an effective jazz musician. Until my studying with Frank, I was lost in what Frank describes as "scale poison." In short, rote learning doesn't cut it in helping a student understand the language of music which allows a player to become a competent working musician and artist...Frank has de-mystified the "secret ingredient" of making a phrase of improvisation work..."                      

Stewart Levin

"Frank Caruso is the best teacher I have ever had. His method of "simple setups" for jazz improvisation is complete, yet user friendly. He is also one of my favorite piano players. I highly recommend him as a piano teacher and as a performer." 

Brandon Fitch

Jazz Studies Piano Performance Major

North Central College

"I learned to play the piano, but always felt jazz improvisation was out of my league. I met a drummer who told me about Frank Caruso, and that he had a "system" for jazz improvisation. Boy, was he right! Frank explained why studying music transcriptions doesn't lead to skill with improvising, and is actually much harder than what he does. Frank taught me simple ways to improvise using chord tone patterns or scales. I've gained a whole new world!" 

Jerry Wilson

"As coordinator of Jazz Studies at North Central College it has been my privelege to have played & taught with Frank Caruso for well over a decade. Frank has always brought the same vast knowledge, boundless energy and great passion to his teaching as he does to his performing. The long list of succesful students are a true testimony to Frank as a signiificant educator."

Jack Mouse
Coordinator of Jazz Studies, North Central College