Weekend Workshop at The Globe - Sign-up open now

The Globe in Newcastle, run by the Jazz Coop, is hosting their first weekend-long jazz workshop in August (1st and 2nd) and sign-up is open now.

The course will be led by James Birkett and Judith Thompson, two of the jazz tutors at the Globe's regular series of jazz workshops. The weekend has have sessions split into two abilities and will cover areas like learning tunes, arrangements, leading bands and an improvisation skills/jazz theory class. Saturday 1st's session will run from 9.30pm until 5pm and will also feature an evening performance by the Williams-Tanton quartet and jam session. Sunday 2nd will run from 9.30am until 5pm and will culminate in a performance by all participants.

The cost of the weekend is a very reasonable £82 and participants can opt to pay an extra £16 for the provision of food and refreshments. Accommodation is not included.

Full details of the course structure can be found on the Jazz Coop website.

National Youth Jazz Summer School - Applications Now Open

The annual summer school run by the National Youth Jazz Collective will take place between 9th-16th August at Uppingham School in Rutland.

The course will focus on developing improvisational skills and interaction within a small group setting and will feature an A-list group of tutors including NYJC's Artistic Director Issie Barratt, Tori Freestone, Jim Hart, Tom Hewson, Mark Hodgson, Chris Montague, Omar Puente, Nick Smart, Malcolm Earle Smith, Rowland Sutherland, Norma Winstone & Jason Yarde.

Applications are being accepted until February 20th and full details on how to apply can be found on the NYJC website.

Manchester Youth Jazz Collective Spring 2014

Supported by Jazz North and One Education, Manchester Youth Jazz Collective is returning to Band on the Wall for a spring programme of workshops.

Activities will run over two Sunday afternoons (February 16th and March 16th) and a three day course (7th-9th April).

From Band on the Wall website...

For young instrumentalists and singers aged 8-18. Learn the art of improvisation, create new music and play in groups. Led by leading Jazz educators and workshop leaders supported by established players and teacher...Working in small groups, each made up of young musicians of a similar standard, the participants will compose and devise arrangements and new music, learn ensemble skills and ways to further their improvisation skills.

The Sunday sessions cost £10 per session and the 3 day course costs £75. Band on The Wall's website gives full information and has an enrol button to sign up online. 

BlueJam Jazz Workshops in Carlisle & Penrith

Arts organisation BlueJam are running weekly jazz workshops in Carlisle and Penrith for instrumentalists and singers of all levels.

The 2 hour sessions run at the Old Firestation in Carlisle from 7pm on Mondays, and at North Lakes school in Penrith from 7.30pm on Thursdays. Each session costs £7.50.

Led by saxophonist Katie Ind (a graduate of LCoM jazz course), trumpeter Geoff Bartholomew and BlueJam director Jilly Jarman the workshops are tailored to suit the specific needs of the instrumentalists and vocalists who attend.

For more information, see the BlueJam website.

Northern School of Jazz

The Northern School of Jazz are running their New Year Jazz Course from January 11th until March 15th and although sessions have already begun, a few places are still available.

Run by Dr Kathy Dyson, former senior lecturer at LCoM, Jazz Educator of the Year and current chair of the MU, the course takes place at Blueprint Studios in Salford every Saturday.