Nashville Jazz Workshop

session dates: June 16 - July 24 | >> How to Sign Up

MONDAY | 6:00pm

The Life and Music of John Coltrane
Instructor(s): Mark Edwards
A listening course covering the life of John Coltrane and the innovations he introduced. Listening will include music from the different periods and styles of Coltrane’s music.

Vocal Literature: The Blues
Instructor(s): Marion James & Lori Mechem
This class will cover different elements and styles of the blues, repertoire, and getting the right sound. Intermediate and advanced sections will be offered. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

MONDAY | 8:00pm

Ensemble (formerly Rhythm Section)
Instructor(s): Joe Davidian
A class made up of a quartet or quintet. Materials covered include literature, intros, endings, styles, tempos and comping.

Vocal Literature: The Blues
Instructor(s): Marion James & Lori Mechem
This class will cover different elements and styles of the blues, repertoire, and getting the right sound. Intermediate and advanced sections will be offered. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

TUESDAY | 6:00pm

Beginning Vocal Performance Techniques Part 2
Instructor(s): Connye Florance
A class designed for the beginning performer who has done minimal stage work. Two songs required for the performance. Beginning Performance Techniques Part 2 will cover mic technique, patter and staging.

Introduction to Ensemble Playing
Instructor(s): Roger Spencer
A class open to all instrumentalists focusing on the beginning concepts of group playing and how to listen.

Intros and Endings
Instructor(s): Lori Mechem
For Pianists and Guitarists-- a study of standard intros and endings for jazz tunes. Students will research and write their own intros and endings to share with the class. Learning these intros and endings will be essential for the performing musician.

TUESDAY | 8:00pm

Charles Mingus Ensemble 1
Instructor(s): Denis Solee
A class covering the repertoire and history of Charles Mingus. This class is written for 5 horns and a rhythm section. Emphasis will be on ensemble playing. For 2 trumpets, alto, tenor, trombone, piano, bass and drums. Advanced level required.

Ensemble (formerly Rhythm Section)
Instructor(s): Lori Mechem
A class made up of a quartet or quintet. Materials covered include literature, intros, endings, styles, tempos and comping.

WEDNESDAY | 6:00pm

Jazz Guitar Voicings
Instructor(s): Paul Abrams
For guitarists who want to move beyond vanilla "guitar chords" to authentic jazz voicings. The class will begin with 3rds & 7ths (guide tones), and move through triads and quartal voicings. Students will apply voicings over jazz blues progressions.

Jazz Piano Master Class
Instructor(s): Bruce Dudley
Open to intermediate to advanced pianists. Students will prepare a solo piano piece to play each week. These performances will serve as a springboard for discussion and examples of what and how to practice. Topics covered will include harmonization techniques, voicings and textures, melodic phrasing, improvisation, repertoire, and historical styles.

Vocal Literature: Jerome Kern
Instructor(s): Christina Watson
A study of the music of Kern, with a focus on learning song forms, lyric content, and styles. Students will sing with a band weekly and give a performance at the end.

WEDNESDAY | 8:00pm

Calisthenics for Instrumentalists
Instructor(s): Roger Spencer
An intensive class on running scales, arpeggios, and patterns in all keys. Players will increase dexterity and speed. Intermediate level required.

Thelonious Monk/Bud Powell Improvisation
Instructor(s): Bruce Dudley
Improvisation class is open to intermediate to advanced instrumentalists and vocalists. Prior improvisational experience is suggested. The class will examine a few important works by each composer, first analyzing the pieces and studying the recordings made by Monk and Powell (and others when relevent), then identifying, and putting into practice, specific techniques for improvisation over each piece. The class will be a "laboratory" setting, with much group playing, interaction, and discussion.

Vocal Improvisation 1
Instructor(s): Lori Mechem & Jeff Hall
Students will learn the basic concepts of improvisation. Topics to be covered include rhythmic syllables and spoken scat, basic root motion and guide tones, stylistic approach, and use of melody for soloing. Students will also be introduced to basic chord types, their function, and recognition of chord spellings. They will begin to improvise over 12-bar Blues progressions. Intermediate level

THURSDAY | 6:00pm

Chester Thompson Drumset Master Class
Instructor(s): Chester Thompson
A class for intermediate/advanced drummers. Chester will work through practice techniques, time, triplets, soloing, and more. This is a 3 week Mini-course.

Vocal Tech 1
Instructor(s): Margaret Rose
An introduction to the basic rudiments and the four vocal positions used in singing. Building the mask voice. Exercises to blend chest, middle and head registers. Focus on singing upbeat tunes to develop conversational placement of word, tone, and clipped phrases that swing. Understanding breath and natural support. Emphasis on singing in neutral position with compressed and soft closure tone. Handouts provided. Students sing with jazz tracks, and must purchase Hal Leonard's Jazz Tracks for Singers (male or female), book of 15 tunes and CD. Order from www.sheetmusicplus.com.

THURSDAY | 8:00pm

Nothing But The Conga
Instructor(s): Dann Sherrill
In order to play Cuban music convincingly it is essential to have an understanding of the conga drum, also known as the tumbadoras. It is not possible to play the other percussion instruments convincingly without this knowledge. This 6-week course is designed to provide the student with grounding in conga technique. It is strongy recommended that participants own a conga drum.

Vocal Literature: Jerome Kern
Instructor(s): Jeff Hall
A study of the music of Kern, with a focus on learning song forms, lyric content, and styles. Students will sing with a band weekly and give a performance at the end.