tutors update

Some very exciting news, top British pianist Andrea Vicari has agreed to leading two sessions in February, to take place on the 17th and 24th. She is the MD of the dordogne jazz summer school and professor of piano at Trinity collage. Hopefully she will bring some of her acclaimed cd's with her so bring a few extra quid to pick up a bargain! Also a fantastic composer Andrea specialises in latin jazz.

Filling the two weeks between Andrea and Jeff we have another new tutor for the co-op Wayne McGonnell, some of you will know Wayne from his courses at chichester collage. He is a fantastic pianist and can be seen playing live every thursday night at The Geese.

Tim.

Music Software Group

Is anyone interested in joining a music software group? The main idea would be to share files that we have written, e.g. Sibelius, Band In A Box, Transcribe. I have most Real Book tunes in both Sibelius and Band In A Box format. Let Steve know if interested.

Jake Goss Session

Last night Jake covered a full collection of issues from jazz timing, use of phrases and licks / Jazz grammar, to transcribing solos and use of Transcribe (see the Useful Links section on the right hand side of the Blog). Everyone got some individual feedback. We worked on "Take the A Train" (Real Book standard). It was a session that would have more appeal to more advanced players but it was a good tune to play over with easy key centres and one 2-5-1 sequence.

Mark Bassey feedback

Mark ran two sessions recently. I only made one of them but it was excellent. He took us through a tune he wrote himself and I rather liked it. A bit modal with some interesting chords. He also made diminished chords seem simple. Let us know your views on the sessions by posting a comment.

Got any unwanted instruments?

London Jazz Festival

Only an hour away with hundreds of fantastic gigs over the next two weeks. And tons of coverage on Radio 3. Here are some useful links. London Jazz Festival. There is loads of free jazz. The Barbican and the Royal Festival Hall are offering a lot of free gigs in the day times so a day trip to London, if well planned, could work out to only cost you the train fare and food. Despite the fact that there are literally hundreds of gigs some are already sold out so if there is someone special you have always wanted to see then get that ticket quickly.

If you don't make it but want to listen to musicians that will inspire your playing then get down to the Brighton Jazz Club on a Friday Night. The level of talent is phenomenal and the current programme is really superb. Brighton's best kept secret unfortunately.

future tutors

Terry Seabrook makes a welcome return on the 9Th and 16Th of December.

Then its a short break over the Christmas period.

The co-op kicks off the new year on the 6Th and 13Th of January with two jam nights, a great chance to put all our learning to use.

Tutors are back on the 20Th of Jan,  and on that Tuesday and on the 27Th we have Geoff Simkins.

Cheers Tim