Calling Young Jazz Musicians - 2 day jazz workshop in York, 11/12th August

York Jazz Initiative are running a two day workshop for young musicians on August 11th and 12th, offering the chance to hone your jazz skills with the help of professional musicians for only £20.

Ian Chalk says...

The workshop is for any young person in full time education (including higher education) and is designed to help young people develop their jazz performance skills whether they are experienced jazz soloists or have never played jazz before!

​

All young musicians would benefit from this workshop as it will widen their harmonic knowledge, help them get to know their instrument better and build their confidence plus having lots of fun!

​

The workshop tutors are all high quality professional jazz musicians as well as experienced educators and the workshop will be led by York Jazz initiative's Musical Director Ian Chalk. 

​

Attendees will learn how to begin to improvise with their instruments or voices or add to their existing skills in in fun-filled and encouraging environment.

​

As the workshop progresses they will have the opportunity to perform with the tutors and have the thrill of playing with professional jazz musicians!

This workshop was made possible through the generous support of the Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation. 

For more information and to sign up, see the York Jazz Initiative website. 

Jazz North Education Conference, March 21st

Jazz North is to run a one day conference on jazz education at the Carriageworks in Leeds on March 21st. The day is entitled Improvisation: catalyst for learning and child development.

The day will feature presentations by a number of speakers and is open to anyone involved in music education, be it as a freelance educator, school teacher, MD or anything else! There are a limited number of travel bursaries available to support those travelling from further afield.

For those unable to attend, the event will be streamed through Facebook Live.

A list of the speakers and presentations are listed below. For more information, see the Jazz North website.

Presentations include -

How the brain responds and learns from Improvisation (Dr Graeme Wilson, Edinburgh University)

Helping people from challenging backgrounds develop musical, technical and performance skills (Dr Enrico Bertelli, Conductive Music)

Improvisation for young children and toddlers (Una McGlone)

Practical approaches for introducing improvisation in the classroom and beyond (Dave Evans)

York Jazz Initiative Announces New Choir

Ian Chalk has announced that a new Jazz Choir will run in York starting early 2017, representing the latest in a string of jazz education initiatives which aim to make York a centre for excellence in jazz.

From the York Jazz Initiative website...

So if you're an adult (16+) who would like to sing some cool jazz tunes in a group of approximately 20 and be tutored by one of the UK's great jazz singers and vocal coach, Kate Peters, then this is for you.  You don't need to have an amazing voice or be able to read music, just be open to having lots of fun, making new friends and performing concerts! The Jazz Choir will also collaborate with other York Jazz Initiative ensembles.

Rehearsals will be at Vale Of York Academy (formerly Canon Lee School) in York on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm till 9:00pm during term time.  

Budding jazz choir attendees can register their interest on the York Jazz Initiative website and will be sent information shortly.

Head further North and study with Tommy Smith

Applications are open for young musicians aged between 12 and 17 to spend a week in July studying jazz and improvisation with the internationally respected Tommy Smith in Glasgow.

Between 24-28th July, participants will work with Smith, Alyn Cosker, and Paul Harrison and be taken through their paces in theory classes, recording studio experience and small group playing.

The cost is £240 and applications will be accepted until 24th June. For this year only, participants will also be able to attend the keynote address by Randy Weston as part of the International Society  for Music Education conference.

For full information, visit the RCS Summer school website.

Immerse yourself in the world of jazz with this 5 - day summer school at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, ranked 6th in the world for performing arts education. This summer school is designed and delivered by internationally renowned educators, recording artists and performers, including saxophonist and composer, RCS Head of Jazz, Tommy Smith.

This course is for young people aged 12 - 17 who wish to develop  their skills in spontaneous composition and jazz improvisation. It is an inspiring course which focuses on group performance, whilst offering specific instrumental guidance on key elements of improvisation and performance.

 

Jazz God Academy, 4-6th April

Budding jazz musicians aged 11-80 have a chance to hone their skills at the Jazz God Academy in York. Their spring course runs between 4th and 6th April. The 3 day course costs £100 and includes three days of tuition and an end performance at the NCEM in York.

The JazzGodAcademy workshops are designed to bring together students who love Jazz music and love performing aged between 11-80 years old. Jazzgod will help develop ensemble skills, improvisation skills, confidence and general musicianship. Students will work in a band composing and covering Jazz standards by their favourite composers or artists.

On each day there will be an opportunity to perform in a big band with all the members of the workshop. Every afternoon there will be a workshop on improvisation to help further develop skills.

 

On the 6th of April you will perform at the world famous National Centre for Early Music in York.

 

For more information and to apply for a place, visit the JazzGodAcademy website.

Jazz North Education Conference - Speakers Announced

Jazz North have announced the speakers that will take part in this year's jazz education conference on March 8th at Leeds College of Music.

Gary Crosby OBE will give the keynote address, discussing his work with Tomorrow's Warriors and his experience in supporting and mentoring young musicians as they transition into professional careers.

Gary will be joined by NYMAZ director Heidi Johnson, renowned improvising guitarist Chris Sharkey and trumpeter and educator Ian Chalk

A limited number of spaces are still available for those wishing to attend and full information can be found on the Jazz North website.

New Youth Jazz Orchestra in York seeks players

Jazz educator Ian Chalk has announced that a new Youth Jazz Orchestra will be starting in York in September.

The ensemble will be run as part of the York Jazz Initiative and their aim is that 'this youth ensemble will be one of the finest in the UK and something that York can be really proud of.'

Rehearsals will run on Saturday afternoons during term time and the ensemble is open to anyone under 21 (through audition or invitation). Some of the chairs have already been filled, but Ian is on the look-out for the following -

Piano
2 trombones
1 tenor sax
1 (possibly 2) trumpets
guitar

Anyone interested in taking part should get in touch via the email address listed on the flyer above.

Sing Jazz in Leeds, Play Jazz in the Dales...

In May, there are two special opportunities to learn about jazz under the expert tuition of Matt Roberts and Louise Gibbs.

Jazz at Heart's weekend jazz school takes place in Dalesbridge and runs from May 8th - 10th. Lesley says -

 If you are an adult learner of jazz who you think would benefit from a crazy weekend of jazz tuition from the amazing trio of Matt Roberts, Sam Watts and Sam Gardner, please put them in touch with me. May 8th - 10th in the wonderful Yorkshire Dales. We currently don't have a drummer (who could learn so much from Sam Gardner)or any alto players, though all instrumentalists are welcome... Only £250 and a chance not to be missed. There’s also the possibility to attend just for the Saturday (breakfast till evening gig) for £100 if that’s more suited to people’s budgets and lives.Contact lesley@jazz-at-heart.org.uk

Vocalist Louise Gibbs is also running a workshop - this one is a day-long session in Leeds on May 16th. The session is aimed at singers. Louise says -

There are just 2 places left on the jazz singing and improvisation workshop with me on Saturday 16th May 11am until 5pm in Leeds. Suitable for singers who want to know how to improvise or be more confident singing and improvising whatever the style. You'll also learn to direct a live trio. £75 or £60 for full time students. Lunch and refreshments included. Call 07813684077 to discuss.

Louise will also perform at Heart that evening with her quartet featuring Sam Leak, Sam Gardner and Simon Read. 

Jazz North Education Conference

Jazz North is to host their 3rd Jazz Education Conference at Leeds College of Music on 17th March. 

The event will run from 11am until 4pm and features a number of talks and workshops focused on jazz and improvisation for children and young people.

Who Can Attend?

The event is aimed at -

• Primary and secondary schools, further education colleges, universities
• Senior educational leaders, subject leaders, educational professionals, teachers, teaching assistants, newly qualified teachers, Special Educational Needs Coordinators
• Local authority arts development teams, children’s services, school improvement services, events and festival coordinators
• Youth music services
• Arts organisations, artists and arts practitioners… and anyone who works with and supports those working with young people

Topics covered will include First Access, CPD for music teachers, youth jazz orchestras & more. Sign-up is required and interested parties should email info@jazznorth.org or use the contact form on this website to register their place.

Read a report of last year's conference.

New Jazz Workshops start in York

Trumpeter and educator Ian Chalk is starting a new series of workshops in York commencing November 20th.

The workshops are aimed at adults (16+) with little or no previous knowledge of jazz and play melody instruments (not drummers or percussionists). Over the 10 week course, the workshops will cover areas including jazz harmony, history and solo construction amongst other things.

Alongside the course, Ian has prepared materials and recordings to allow students to practice and work on exercises at home.

Each session cost £10 and are payable in blocks of 6. Only 10 spaces are available so people may be swapped to a different class if necessary.

For more information, visit the York Music Service website.