Jazz & Blues Ensembles

The Jazzschool offers numerous performance ensembles for beginning, intermediate, and advanced instrumentalists and vocalists, each of which develops a set of music to be performed for friends and family as part of the end-of-quarter Jazzschool Student Performance Series in Hardymon Hall!

Students are placed in skill-level appropriate ensembles by audition. Audition requirements may include one or more of the following: playing selected scales; playing and/or improvising over a piece of your choice; improvising over a 12-bar blues or other skill-level appropriate pieces provided at the audition; and sight-reading. Drummers are asked to play various grooves and to solo. Bassists are asked to play stylistically appropriate bass lines. For more information about Jazzschool ensembles, please contact Rob Ewing, Community Music School Director, at 510-845-5373 x 14 or email rob@jazzschool.org. You can schedule an audition online by filling out the form at: www.jazzschool.org/ensemble

 

Beginning Jazz Ensemble

An intro-level ensemble focusing on learning jazz standards, developing improvisation skills, and putting jazz theory into practice. Students develop familiarity with various common jazz feels, and learn to improvise over typical chord progressions.

Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm

SPRING: 4/4 – 6/6 (10 weeks)

Rob Ewing  $365

Blues and Groove Workshop

A performance workshop focusing on the blues and blues-related styles. Emphasis on groove as demonstrated through recordings of Charlie Christian, T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins, Jack McDuff, Louis Jordan and other “jump” blues and New Orleans masters.

Prerequisites: knowledge of basic 12-bar blues.

Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm

SPRING: 4/6 – 6/8 (10 weeks)

Danny Caron & Anthony Paule  $365

 

McCain Jazz Ensemble

Section I

A jazz ensemble focusing on improvising over chord changes, playing with good time, and other skills needed to perform with others. Emphasis on standard mainstream styles: blues, standards, swing, bebop, AABA forms, ballads and bossa novas.

Tuesdays 4:30 – 6 pm

SPRING: 4/2 – 6/4 (10 weeks)

Seward McCain  $365

Section II

Students are challenged by slightly faster tempos and more involved tunes. Unusual keys, uncommon tune structures, and more challenging melodies are presented along with standard material. Original compositions are welcome. Scales and modes are presented to be used specifically with the given material. Class focuses on the music of Miles Davis, A.C. Jobim, Art Blakey, Cal Tjader, Oscar Peterson and many “Blue Note” era artists.

Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 pm

SPRING: 4/2 – 6/4 (10 weeks)

Seward McCain  $365

Jazz Standards for Gigs

An ensemble focusing on developing the skills and repertoire needed for typical jazz gigs. Repertoire, intros, endings, interludes and tags are covered. Various jazz feels including swing, bossa, jazz waltz and ballads are studied and played. Class time is also dedicated to the study of jazz harmony, as applied to selected standard repertoire. Instructor also provides tips for soloing. Required text: The Real Book: Sixth Edition (Hal Leonard), available at Jazzschool Books & Records.

Sec. I - Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm

SPRING: 4/4 – 6/6 (10 weeks)

 

Sec. II - Saturdays 10 – 11:30 am

Sec. III - Saturdays 11:45 – 1:15 pm

Sec. IV - Saturdays 1:30 – 3 pm

SPRING: 4/6 – 6/8 (10 weeks)

Glenn Richman  $365

Music of the Masters

An intermediate-level ensemble focusing on compositions by jazz masters including Coltrane, Monk, Shorter and others. Emphasis on understanding and internalizing a variety of essential grooves. Class time is also dedicated to the study of jazz harmony, as applied to selected jazz repertoire. Instructor also provides tips for soloing.

Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm

SPRING: 4/4 – 6/6 (10 weeks)

Glenn Richman  $365

Hard Bop Ensemble

Students develop a varied jazz repertoire while studying the theory and practice of improvisation and various horn and rhythm section techniques. This intermediate/advanced ensemble focuses on the music of Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Zawinul, and others.

Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm

SPRING: 4/4 – 6/6 (10 weeks)

Dave Le Febvre $365

Post-Bop Ensemble

This intermediate- to advanced-level ensemble focuses on contemporary post-bop styles of jazz from the 1960s to the present. Repertoire is drawn from artists including Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Charles Lloyd, Cedar Walton, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield and others. Strong emphasis placed on group communication and interaction.

Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm

SPRING: 4/3 – 6/5 (10 weeks)

Steve Erquiaga  $365

Miles Davis/Wayne Shorter Ensemble

An intermediate- to advanced-level ensemble focusing on the music of Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter from the mid-1960s through the 1980s. Repertoire is drawn from such albums as 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

SPRING: 4/3 – 6/5 (10 weeks)

Steve Erquiaga  $365

Odd Meter Grooves

In this hands-on class, participants study and practice grooving and soloing in odd meters. Repertoire includes standard odd meter tunes (Take Five, etc.) and standards/contemporary songs arranged in odd meters. Open to rhythm section, singers and horn players. Prerequisites: ability to read charts and improvise in 4/4 and 3/4 time.

Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm

SPRING: 4/6 – 6/8 (10 weeks)

Ben Flint $365

Ben Flint’s video about his Odd Meter class at the Jazzschool

Guitar Trio

In this intermediate/advanced class,  students focus on group interaction and dynamics, soloing, comping for bass solos, trading fours with the drummer, building repertoire, and finally, getting gigs! Maximum enrollment: four guitarists, one bassist, one drummer.

Prerequisites: ability to play and improvise over a jazz tune in time.

Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm

SPRING: 4/1 – 6/10 (10 weeks) no class 5/27

Mimi Fox  $365

Piano Trio

This hands-on performance class for intermediate to advanced pianists  focuses on how to play most effectively in the traditional jazz piano trio format. Maximum class size: four pianists, one drummer. Accompaniment provided by a professional bassist.

Prerequisites: ability to play and improvise over a jazz tune in time.

Sec. I - Mondays 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Sec. II - Mondays 6:45 – 8:15 pm

Sec. III - Mondays 8:30 – 10 pm

Peter Horvath  $390

SPRING: 4/1 – 6/10 (10 weeks) no class 5/27

 

Sec. IV - Fridays 1:30 – 3 pm

Sec. V - Fridays 3:15 – 4:45 pm

Debbie Poryes  $390

SPRING: 4/5 – 6/7 (10 weeks)

 

Sec. VI - Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm

Mark Levine  $390

SPRING: 4/6 – 6/8 (10 weeks)

From Baroque to Bebop —
Saxophone Ensemble

A saxophone ensemble led by San Francisco Saxophone Quartet alto
saxophonist Bill Aron. Repertoire includes original pieces, transcriptions and arrangements from the baroque to the bebop periods.

Prerequisites: facility on a saxophone and basic reading skills.

Day and time: TBA

Offered FALL, WINTER, SPRING

Bill Aron  $365

Big Band

A 19-piece performance ensemble covering standard jazz and blues repertoire from 1930 to the present. This band has several performance opportunities at the Jazzschool and other venues throughout the Bay Area and serves as a vehicle to preview student compositions/arrangements. Instrumentation: 5 saxes; 5 trumpets; 5 trombones; piano; bass; drums; and guitar. Three-quarter commitment required. (fall, winter, spring).

Thursdays 8:15 – 10:15 pm

SPRING: 4/4 – 6/6 (10 weeks)

Dave LeFebvre  $255