Courses Dates 2023
2023 COURSE 1: arrival 31st July – departure 6th August (6 nights) with FUNK option
2023 COURSE 2: arrival 6th August – departure 12th August (6 nights)
Tutors: Alan Barnes (all horns ), Barry Green (piano), Mark Ridout (guitar), Jeremy Brown (double bass), Tristan Mailliot /Gwilym Jones (drums). Vocal course: Judy Niemack.
2023 COURSE 3: arrival 12th August – departure 18th August (6 nights)
Tutors: Mick Foster(sax), Rob Barron (piano), Jeremy Brown (double bass), Tristan Mailliot / Gwilym Jones (drums). Vocal course: Nia Lynn.
Study Topics
The course welcomes all woodwind and brass players , guitarists, pianists, bass players (electric or double) and drummers with some jazz experience who want to develop and improve their improvisation and performance skills.
The emphasis of the course is very practical, so be prepared for lots of playing!
Tristan Mailliot is the course director, dealing with overall organisation as well as teaching drums and leading rhythm workshops.
Classes are a mix of instrumental workshops and ensemble classes focusing on different types of jazz repertoire. We will be covering blues forms, jazz standards and more contemporary material ie. music by Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Pat Metheny.
Course 1 has extra funk repertoire classes and ensemble performances.
Everyone has the the opportunity to prepare pieces of their choice in trios , quartets or quintets for the evening concert which is followed by an extended jam session. There will also be a mini big band ensemble directed by our horn tutor. We encourage everyone to stretch their musical boundaries and have fun both on and off the bandstand.
- Brass/ Woodwind: Scales/ arpeggios/ modes and how they relate to harmonic sequences found in jazz. Technique, breathing etc,,,
- Piano: Chord/scale relationships, chord voicings and extensions, vocabulary, technique.
- Bass: Chord/scale relationships, developing walking bass lines, vocabulary and soloing.
- Drums: Straight eighths and triplet based time feels, stickings, soloing and phrasing, brushwork, metric modulation, Latin.
- Guitar: chord shapes, scales and improvisation. Repertoire and styles.
Daily Schedule
- 8.30 to 9.30 am: Breakfast.
- 10.00 to 11.20am: Instrument specific workshop.
- 11.40-1.00pm: Participants divide into smaller combo groups and work on one or more pieces to perform in the concert.
- 1.00pm: Lunch.
- 2.20 to 3.45 pm: Large Ensemble ( all horns plus rhythm section ) or small group prep with vocalists preparing their songs for the concert.
- 3.45 to 5 pm Masterclasses ( transcription, solo analysis, rhythm class) or funk class or jazz choir
- 5 to 7.30pm: Free time for recreation or extra rehearsal or individual practice. Ensembles can use extra rehearsal time to prepare for the evening concerts.
- 7.30pm: Dinner.
- 8.30 pm onwards: Concert followed by a jam session lasting until about 1 or 2 am.
Course Fees & Terms and Conditions
Click here for full information about Fees and Terms and Conditions.