Cambridge Jazz Day
With Alan Barnes
4th July 2010 | 9.30-7.30 | West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
Even before anyone arrived, the challenge was to work out which participants would best suit which tutors and groups. Not having a full musical history for each player, and having a range of pupils from beginners to jazz professionals, meant that this was rather challenging, but Trevor Barlow - with his ample experience - managed to somehow successfully place most participants in a group in which they felt comfortable. Kudos to Mr Barlow! On the day, participants were treated to a short concert from Alan Barnes, Brigitte Beraha, Josh Kemp, Jeremy Kahn, Bert Schilperort and Joel Humann, followed by small-group workshop sessions which were each enhanced by a visit from Mr A Barnes himself. There was a short drop-in session at lunchtime, participants having the opportunity to play some numbers with the professionals. Near the end of the day everyone joined forces to play one of Alan's arrangement. The 150+ of you watching the finale concert will have been treated to a testament to the success of the day, and were, we hope, suitably impressed with what everyone had achieved over such a short time. We are already looking forward to next year's event at which we hope you will join us!
Adding an extra dimension, we also had the presence of artist Lesley Fotherby who spent the day painting scenes from the workshops. By the end of the day she had completed three wonderful watercolours of the event. View copies on our Gallery pages. You can see more of Lesley's work at the Chris Beetles gallery in London, www.chrisbeetles.com.
Course Video
Click to see video on youtube.
With many thanks to Peter Lefort for producing it.
The Course Details
We invited any instrumentalists (grade 3 and above) and vocalists with an interest in Jazz to join us for this event. In addition to Alan Barnes himself we had eight specialist tutors, who were ably supported by a number of other professional musicians. Jazz of all genres and in all forms was enjoyed, from free improvisation in small groups to a swinging big, big band!
Alan Barnes Biography
We were delighted to have Alan Barnes, one of Britain’s best-loved saxophonists, present at this event, helping out the tutors and wowing us with his sound. As one of the most talented leaders in the jazz world he has won multiple awards and is a fellow of the Leeds College of Music.
He has more than 30 albums of his own and over 30 playing with the likes of Tommy Chase, Van Morrison, Bryan Ferry, Jamie Cullum, Westlife, Clark Tracey, Bjork, Don Weller Big Band and the Charlie Watts tentet. He is a renowned composer and arranger and in 2003 started his own record label which has grown to incorporate many artists from Europe and the USA.
Brigitte Beraha Biography
We were also blessed to have the excellent Brigitte Beraha with us for this innovative event. Brigitte is currently Trinity Guildhall School of Music's singing tutor. She has performed at many international events and combines her singing career with her excellent skills as a teacher. Her work draws on a wide range of musical influences and at the time of the course she was working on a new project with Barry Green called Babel Fish, due to be released at the end of 2010.
Course Activities
• Meeting and playing with top performers, teachers and composers.
• Playing in a full jazz ensemble with suitable parts for all abilities.
• Small group sessions working in depth with the tutors on specific pieces.
• Drop in jamming at lunchtime.
• End of day concert for friends and family.
• Wood, Wind & Reed trade stand with instruments, sheet music and accessories.
Timetable
09.30 Registration
10.00 Welcome Concert with Alan Barnes, Brigitte Beraha, Josh Kemp, Joel Humann, Bert Schilperort & Jeremy Kahn.
10.30 Small group sessions
11.30 Refreshments
12.00 Small group sessions
13.15 Lunchtime jazz with the pro's
14.00 Small group sessions
15.00 Refreshments
15.30 Small group sessions
16.30 Full ensemble rehearsal
17.30 Concert
Event Details
Who
• Anyone with a jazz friendly instrument or voice was invited to this event. We welcomed all players from school age to retirement.
• A minimum of grade 3 reading skills were required along with an interest in jazz!
Cost
£40.00 per person
We offered free entry for any teacher in attendance who had three or more pupils also in attendance.
Venue
West Road Concert Hall, West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DP
Time & Date
Course: 9.30-5.30 | Concert 17.30 | Sunday 4th July 2010
Refreshments
Light refreshments were provided in the breaks.
Tutors
Course Director: Trevor Barlow | Senior Tutor: Alan Barnes | Voice Coach: Brigitte Beraha
Thank you to Josh Kemp, Martin Kemp, Bert Schilperort, Julian Landymore, Anne Templer & Jeremy Kahn for tutoring the small groups and to all the guest musicians: Joel Humann, Chris Pepper, Jon Halton, Paul Rademyer, Christ Holt, Michael Denman, Roger Bett, Paul Oldfield, Stephanie Reeve, Paul Stubbs, Jon Heeley and Trevor Johnson, who assisted within the groups.