GMF TUSCANY JAZZ WORKSHOP 2021
“The Art of the Song”
PROGRAMME AUGUST 16 -21
A week devoted to the song, the singer, the accompanist (all instruments welcome) and ensemble, along with workshops on the fundamentals of music-making
VOCAL COURSE
VOCAL ACCOMPANIMENT COURSE
RHYTHM & PULSE WORKSHOP
ENSEMBLE WORKSHOP
SAXOPHONE/HORN WORKSHOP
JAM SESSIONS
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TEAM
MIKE KANAN - PIANO
SARA DOWLING - VOCALS
DARIO DI LECCE - BASS
FRANCESCO PETRENI - PERCUSSION & DRUMS
VICTOR JIMENEZ - SAXOPHONE & ENSEMBLE
STEPHEN KEOGH - DRUMS & PULSE
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Michael Kanan is regarded as one of the great New York pianists of today. He has been the accompanist for a host of great vocalists including Jimmy Scott, Annie Ross, and Jane Monheit. He will offer a course covering the fundamentals of vocal accompaniment and accompaniment in general. While the course will focus on piano accompaniment, all instrumentalists are welcome and can benefit enormously. Singers and instrumental soloists are also encouraged to join so that they may learn some aspects of how accompaniment works, and express what things accompanists do that help them the most.
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Sara Dowling was voted Best Vocalist in the British Jazz Awards 2019. She is gaining fame as one of the most talented jazz singers on the International jazz scene. She first trained as a cellist at Chetham’s and the RNCM, before emerging as a powerful and expressive jazz vocalist and composer. Her most important influences are Betty Carter and Sarah Vaughan.
Although her vocal approach is steeped in the jazz idiom and its repertoire, Sara is now coming forth with her own original sound that resonates in her compositions as well as her unique approach to standards.
The fabulous fearlessness with which she approaches the act of singing, the burning conviction, the irresistible communicative power and jaw-dropping musicality she brings to it makes Sara one of the leading Jazz vocalists anywhere.
She will share her views on singing jazz, and will talk and demonstrate her approach to learning a song and working in a group setting. In particular these sessions will explore these topics:
how to learn a song
the importance of phrasing and how this can change at different tempos
vocal and piano duo; how to interact in a duo situation
working on verses
improvisation
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Timetable (provisional)
August 16
Arrival Day
16.00 register at Albergo Il Castello music room
21.30 welcome concert
23.00 jam session
August 17 - 20
10.00 - 11.00 pulse / rhythm work / listening/ concentration/ silence
11.15 Vocal Group
11:45 - breakout sessions; vocal, instrumental classes
13.00 lunch break
14.30 Playing Session - a period where participants can play or practice together in there own groups without tutor present
16.00 Vocal Masterclass / Vocal Accompaniment Masterclass (on alternate days) with Sara Dowling and Mike Kanan and rhythm section
17.15 Combo/Ensemble Session
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Evenings
18.30 jazz aperitif at Il Castello bar
21.00 concert in the garden of Il Castello or other venue in Certaldo
22.30 jam session at Il Castello
August 20
Morning timetable the same as above.
After lunch will be final rehearsals for students concert in the evening.
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The Programme
Morning Sessions and Workshops
We begin each day by coming together to participate in a unique sequence of activities which collectively stimulate self-awareness and enhance creativity.
These sessions will feature a different combination of activities every day: expect regular workshops on pulse, vocal/body/breathing, movement and connection.
Pulse Training - by Stephen Keogh
Pulse lies at the heart of music, and developing one's own inner pulse is the goal of these sessions. The work fosters awareness – of the pulse, of silence, of the other members of the group. This workshop is hugely beneficial to musicians of every kind.
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Instrumental Class
These sessions are led by a tutor for students to work to improve and develop their
instrumental technique; dexterity, fluidity, speed, as well as sound and projection.
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Afternoon Sessions
The Playing Session
After lunch break a period for playing has been incorporated into the timetable. A space for the students for playing through tunes and rehearsing pieces simply for enjoyment, or in preparation for performing at the masterclass or the after hours jam session.
Masterclasses with Q&A
Each of member of the team of artists carry an immense amount of experience which is shared generously with
the participants though playing, listening, feedback and discussion; in these sessions there is always with a period with a Q&A in which no question is ever treated as a stupid question.
Ensemble
Guided by one of the tutors students learn and prepare pieces for public performance. The art of blending and playing as one is the focus of this session. Group composition is also an important part of these sessions.