Fresh from exciting performances the first half of 2006--including the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, the South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club, Catalina Bar & Grill and the world-renowned Watts Towers--JazzAmerica invites new jazz students between the ages of 11 and 20 to come study sight-reading, ensemble playing, soloing and music theory.
JazzAmerica conducts a series of Saturday morning “WorkChops," taught by some of the top musician/clinicians in the country. We introduce students to “early jazz" so that everyone has at least some familiarity with the genius of Louis Armstrong and his contemporaries. Of course, we also study the arrangements of Duke Ellington and Count Basie, Gerald Wilson and Terry Gibbs (both of whom have appeared with us in person to conduct!), and a host of others. CDs are played, chord progressions are examined, articulations sharpened. Everyone is encouraged (though not coerced) to take solos. Parents sign up for the “Bagel Brigade," taking turns to provide a snack when the three- hour sessions take a break.
And with students converging from all over the metropolitan area, we are proud to say that JazzAmerica has spawned a number of small bands from within our student body.
It's lots of good, clean fun, and there are at least two performances to come this summer. Inquiries are welcome!
For more information contact All About Jazz.
