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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.
Winter 2020 Quarter
First day of Fall Quarter: January 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
1/6 – 3/16 (10 weeks) no class 1/20
Performance date: Monday 3/23
Steve Erquiaga • $420
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
1/8 – 3/1 1 (10 weeks)
Performance date: Thursday 3/19
Section 3: Saturdays 10 – 11:30 am
Section 4: Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
Section 5: Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm
1/11 – 3/14 (10 weeks)
Performance date: Saturday 3/21
Glenn Richman • $420
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
1/9 – 3/12 (10 weeks)
Dave Lefebvre • $420
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
1/8 – 3/11 (10 weeks)
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
Performance date: Wednesday 3/18
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 • $420
Section 4: Fridays 1:30 – 3 pm
Section 5: Fridays 3:30 – 5 pm
1/10 – 3/13 (10 weeks)
Ben Stolorow • $420
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
MUSIC OF JOSE NETO AND THE NETOBAND
Brazilian guitarist José Pires de Almeida Neto currently is musical director/guitarist for Steve Winwood. His vast musical history includes recording and touring with Harry Belafonte, Flora and Airto, Tania Maria, Paquito D’Rivera, Hugh Masekela, Herbie Mann and others. His band the Netoband has been performing and recording together for over 25 years. The documentary, “The Man Behind the White Guitar” is a celebration of his career.
Frank Martin • $420
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 • $420
FREE JAZZ ENSEMBLE: THE MUSIC OF CHICAGO AVANT GARDE (1980 – 2010)
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 fall, rather than focusing on the work of a particular composer, we’ll be focusing on a number of artists from the fertile Chicago Avant Garde scene of the last several decades.
Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
Jason Levis • $420
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
1/7 – 3/10 (10 weeks)
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
Performance date: Tuesday 3/17
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 • $290
SALSA ENSEMBLE 1
Rehearse and perform classic salsa repertoire including the music of Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Eddie Palmieri and others. Prerequisites: familiarity with and ability to play standard Afro-Caribbean grooves as applied to your instrument.
David Belove • $420
SALSA ENSEMBLE 2
Rehearse and perform more advanced salsa repertoire. Vocalists interested in participating should sign up for Salsa Singing. The two courses work together throughout the term developing a full set of high energy dance music for performance.
Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
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 • $420
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 – 1:30pm
1/12 – 3/15 (10 weeks)
Ricardo Peixoto • $420
WORLD GROOVE ENSEMBLE: AFRICAN
The African Ensemble explores diverse styles such as Afrobeat, soukous, highlife, “desert blues,” South African, Zimbabwean, Afropop, or Ethio-jazz. Emphasis is placed on listening to each other, learning the specific rhythms and how they interact to make the groove, and understanding the cultural contexts of the songs. Open to vocalists and instrumentalists. The African Ensemble is the winter-term offering in the World Groove Ensemble series; students may enroll in any or all of the classes. Materials and arrangements provided by instructor. Prerequisites: intermediate instrumental and/or vocal proficiency; ability to read charts and standard notation.
Jennifer Jolly • $420
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.
1/13 – 3/16 (+ Sat 3/21) (10 weeks) no class 1/20
Section 2: Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm
Danny Caron and Anthony Paule • $420
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 Lucca Parenti • $420
REGGAE-JAZZ ENSEMBLE
In this class we will take well-known jazz standards and play them…REGGAE STYLE! Reggae music, despite its relatively simplistic 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 learn how to play reggae (including one-drop, steppers and rockers styles), rocksteady, reggae-rock, dub, dancehall and if time permits, ska. Rhythm section players will learn how to play proper drumset grooves, reggae- centric bass lines, the chop (skank) and bubble (or shuffle), and the role of hand percussion. Horn and any other lead instruments will play melodies, learn reggae-centric backing lines and of course, incorporate jazz improvisation over the ensemble grooves. Open to all instrumentalists including bass, drums, keyboards, guitar, hand percussion and horns. No previous reggae experience necessary.
