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PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO CURRENT SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SHELTER IN PLACE GUIDELINES, JAZZSCHOOL ENSEMBLES ARE NOT CURRENTLY BEING HELD. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR OUR ENSEMBLE PROGRAM, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FILL OUT THE ENSEMBLE APPLICATION FORM AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU ABOUT ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT AS SOON AS WE KNOW WE ARE ABLE TO MEET IN-PERSON! IN THE MEANTIME, MANY NON-ENSEMBLE CLASSES ARE BEING HELD ON-LINE VIA TELECONFERENCING USING THE ZOOM APP. PLEASE REVIEW THOSE OFFERINGS ELSEWHERE ON THIS WEBSITE.
Jazzschool Performance Ensembles delve into a wide range of styles including jazz (standards, hard-bop, post-bop, fusion), Latin jazz, Brazilian, blues, R&B and funk. Ensembles are available for instrumentalists and vocalists at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Groups range in size from the trio to the big band. A placement audition is required for all Performance Ensembles.
New Jazzschool ensemble students: New students are placed in one (or more) ensembles based on a live audition. To apply for an ensemble please fill out the ensemble application form. Once your application form has been received you will be contacted to schedule an audition.
Students who have previously been enrolled in Jazzschool ensembles: Returning students have the option of continuing in the same ensemble(s) in succeeding quarters without re-auditioning, pending approval from the program and ensemble director. Students who wish to be considered for a different ensemble(s) in a succeeding quarter may be asked to re-audition. Please fill out the ensemble application form. An audition may not be required depending on which ensemble(s) you are applying for.
JAZZSCHOOL ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT POLICY
All ensemble members must re-apply each quarter. An ensemble application must be submitted at least three weeks before the start of each quarter.
Spring 2020 Quarter
First day of Spring Quarter: April 6
Review the available classes by choosing the genres below. Please click here for ensemble audition guidelines.
BEGINNING JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Put theory into practice by learning jazz standards, while developing improvisation and ensemble skills. For all instruments. Prerequisites: knowledge of basic jazz theory and ability to keep time and read music.
Section 1: Mondays 6:30 – 8 pm
Section 2: Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
Steve Erquiaga • $375
Section 3: Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
Section 4: Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
Instructor TBA • $375
Ensemble Application
JAZZ STANDARDS FOR GIGS
Develop the skills and repertoire needed for typical jazz gigs through the study and performance of common jazz styles including swing, bossa, jazz waltz and ballads. Instructor covers repertoire, essential arranging concepts (intros, endings, etc.), relevant jazz harmony and tips for soloing. Prerequisites: knowledge of basic jazz theory and ability to keep time and read music. Some previous ensemble experience.
Section 2: Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
Section 3: Saturdays 10 – 1 1:30 am
Section 4: Saturdays 1 1:45 am – 1:15 pm
Section 5: Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm
Glenn Richman • $375
HARD-BOP ENSEMBLE
Study and perform music melding bebop with R&B, gospel and the blues as developed by mid-century masters including Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Jimmy Smith and others.
Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
Dave Lefebvre • $375
MUSIC OF THE MASTERS
Dig into the music of John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter and other jazz masters. Learn and internalize a variety of essential grooves while developing improvisation skills through the rehearsal of challenging repertoire.
Section 1: Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
Section 2: Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
POST-BOP ENSEMBLE
Explore the repertoire of Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane and other post-bop jazz composers from the 1960s to the present. Strong emphasis placed on group communication and interaction.
Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
PIANO TRIO
Develop performance skills in the piano, bass and drums trio format. Open to four pianists and one drummer with accompaniment provided by a professional upright bassist.
Section 1: Mondays 5 – 6:30 pm
Section 2: Mondays 6:45 – 8:15 pm
Section 3: Mondays 8:30 – 10 pm
Peter Horvath • $375
Section 4: Fridays 1:30 – 3 pm
Section 5: Fridays 3:30 – 5 pm
Ben Stolorow • $375
MILES DAVIS/WAYNE SHORTER ENSEMBLE
Explore the music of Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter from the mid-60s through the 80s. Repertoire is drawn from far-reaching classic albums including Miles Smiles, ESP, Filles de Kilimanjaro, Speak No Evil, Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way, Native Dancer and Jack Johnson. Strong emphasis placed on group communication and interaction.
Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
THE MUSIC OF BILLY COBHAM
An ensemble focusing on the music of jazz/rock/fusion drum icon Billy Cobham.
Frank Martin • $375
HIP-HOP JAZZ ENSEMBLE
From its roots in James Brown and 70s jazz/soul, through Boom Bap, G-Funk and J Dilla, we will explore the sample-based music of Hip-Hop in a live band setting. For all rhythm section instruments and horns.
Steve Hogan • $375
FREE JAZZ ENSEMBLE: The Music of Paul Motian
The Free Jazz Ensemble is designed for improvising musicians interested in stretching the boundaries of harmony and form. Each quarter the ensemble will focus on the music of a particular master musician. This quarter we focus on the work of the great drummer and composer, Paul Motian.
Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
Jason Levis • $375
ERQUIAGA ENSEMBLE 1
In this Ensemble 1 class, you’ll work on improvising over chord changes, playing with good time and learn the other skills needed to perform with other musicians. Class emphasis is on standard mainstream styles: blues, standards, swing, bebop, ballads and bossa novas.
Tuesdays 4:30 – 6 pm
ERQUIAGA ENSEMBLE 2
This Ensemble 2 class focuses on slightly faster tempos and more involved tunes! Unusual keys, uncommon tune structures and more complex melodies are presented along with standard repertoire. Includes the music of Miles Davis, Jobim, Art Blakey, Cal Tjader and many 60s Blue Note–era artists. Original compositions are encouraged!
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
BIG BAND
This 19-piece ensemble covers classic and contemporary repertoire for big band. Original compositions by ensemble members are also workshopped and performed. Full 3-quarter commitment required (fall, winter, spring).
Thursdays 8:15 – 10:15 pm
Dave Lefebvre • $260
LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Rehearse and perform classic Afro-Cuban jazz ‘standards’ as performed by artists such as Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, and Eddie Palmieri. In addition, American jazz standards by artists such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis may be included and adapted to Latin rhythms. Prerequi- sites: familiarity with and ability to play standard Afro-Cuban grooves (mambo, cha, 6/8, and bolero) as applied to your instrument.
David Belove • $375
BRAZILIAN ENSEMBLE
Study and perform the classic and contemporary Brazilian jazz repertoire of Ivan Lins, Dori Caymmi, Toninho Horta, Antonio Carlos Jobim and instructor Marcos Silva. Vocalists welcome! Audition with Marcos Silva is required.
Section 1: Tuesdays 6:15 – 7:45 pm
Section 2: Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
Section 3: Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
Section 4: Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
Section 5: Thursdays 1 – 2:30 pm
Marcos Silva • $375
BRAZILIAN CHORO ENSEMBLE
Focusing on classic Choro repertoire by Jacob do Bandolim, Pixinguinha, Ernesto Nazareth and others, gain experience playing in the traditional Brazilian ‘Roda de Choro’ style. All instruments are welcome. Prerequisites: ability to read charts for rhythm section players, ability to read notation for melody players.
Sundays Noon – 1:30 pm
Ricardo Peixoto • $375
WORLD GROOVE ENSEMBLE: NEW ORLEANS / LOUISIANA
Study and perform New Orleans funk and R&B, Cajun and zydeco, brass band, second-line, swamp boogie, and/or “trad jazz.” Sample artists include The Meters, Dr. John, Clifton Chenier, Irma Thomas, Jon Cleary, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, D.L. Menard, Sonny Landreth, and Sidney Bechet. The World Groove Ensemble emphasizes listening to each other, learn- ing the specific rhythms and how they interact, and understanding the cultural context of each song. All vocalists and instrumentalists welcome. Materials provided by instructor. Prerequisites: ability to read charts and standard notation.
Jennifer Jolly • $375
BLUES AND GROOVE ENSEMBLE
The Blues and Groove Ensemble offers students an opportunity to choose from a wide array of Blues and R&B, Funk, Gospel, New Orleans and American Roots styles to play with other musicians. We work on getting the best grooves for each player and improvising solos. One vocalist welcome per class. Prerequisites: Ability to play basic blues chords and scales in all keys. Familiarity with blues and R&B is recommended.
Danny Caron • $375
Section 2: Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm
Danny Caron and Anthony Paule • $375
FUNK ENSEMBLE
From James Brown to Prince, Sly and the Family Stone to Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder to Earth, Wind & Fire, The Meters to Herbie Hancock, we get down and funky in this ensemble. Explore what it takes to master the complexity of the funk genre by breaking down the rhythmic foundation of the groove, the feel, the “pocket!” For all vocalists, horns and rhythm section instruments.
Daniel Parenti • $375
REGGAE ENSEMBLE
Reggae music, despite its relatively simple nature, has a great deal of rhythmic and melodic nuance with an emphasis on the discipline of groove playing where each musician locks down their specific part to create a collective, ecstatic dance groove. We will study and perform repertoire by legendary groups such as the Skatalites, the Upsetters, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Sly and Robbie, and Roots Radics. We will learn how to play reggae (including one-drop, steppers and rockers styles), rocksteady, ska, and dub. Rhythm section players will learn how to play proper drum set grooves, reggae-centric bass lines, the skank and bubble, and the role of hand percussion. Horns and any other lead instruments will play melodies, learn reggae-centric backing lines and incorpo- rate improvisation over the ensemble grooves. Open to all instrumentalists and vocalists including bass, drums, keyboards, guitar, hand percussion and horns. No previous reggae experience necessary.
Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
