GMF TUSCANY JAZZ WORKSHOP 2022
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
A COURSE FOR JAZZ VOCALISTS
A COURSE ON THE ART OF ACCOMPANIMENT
A COURSE FOR ALL INSTRUMENTALISTS; SOLOING AND ACCOMPANYING
A COURSE FOR RHYTHM SECTION & ENSEMBLE PLAYING
RHYTHM & PULSE WORKSHOP
ENSEMBLE WORKSHOP
SAXOPHONE/HORN WORKSHOP
JAM SESSIONS
SAMBA
CHI KUNG & TAI CHI - ON WEDS 17 & THURS 18 AUG
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TEAM
BRUCE BARTH - PIANO
MĀTYĀS GAYER - PIANO
SARA DOWLING - VOCALS
DARIO DI LECCE - BASS
SCOTT HAMILTON - SAXOPHONE
FRANCESCO PETRENI - PERCUSSION & DRUMS
VICTOR JIMENEZ - SAXOPHONE & ENSEMBLE
STEPHEN KEOGH - DRUMS & PULSE
ALESSIO TANTURLI - CHI KUNG & TAI CHI - subject to confirmation
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Michael Kanan - Cancelled due to Covid infection. See note below:
Two wonderful musicians; highly talented Hungarian pianist Mātyās Gayer, and the New York piano legend Bruce Barth replace Michael.
A note from Michael:
To the students and teachers at the GMF Tuscany Jazz Workshop:
I’m heartbroken that I cannot join you for this year’s workshop, which would have been my first. Unfortunately I contracted COVID and have to remain home. The recuperation process is taking longer than I expected, but I am definitely on the mend. While I am disappointed that I cannot meet with you and play music together, I am happy that you will be in the best of hands with two giants of jazz piano: Mátyás Gayer and Bruce Barth. So swing on, and I look forward to meeting you next year!
With best wishes,
Michael Kanan
Brooklyn, NY
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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:
approaches on 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
August 16
Arrival Day
16.00 - 18.00 register at Albergo Il Castello music room
20.00 welcome concert at Bar Boccaccio
23.00 jam session
August 17 - 20
09.00 - 09.50 tai chi and chi gong | in front of Palazzo Pretorio - on Aug 17 & 18 only
10.00 - 10.30 pulse / listening/ concentration/ silence | Cellar Castello
10.30 - 11.45 vocal & instrumental classes | see location for your instrument (available from registration)
12.15 - 13.15 samba & choir | Cellar Castello
13.15 - lunch break | lunch deal at Bar Boccaccio
14.30 - playing Session; a period where participants can play or practice together in there own groups without tutor present
16.00 - 17.00 Combo/Ensemble Session - Cellar Castello
17.00 - 18.00 Vocal Masterclass / Vocal Accompaniment Masterclass (on alternate days) with Sara Dowling and Mike Kanan and rhythm section - Cellar Castello
August 21
Morning timetable the same as above.
After lunch will be final rehearsals for students concert in the evening.
August 22
Departure day
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Evenings
18.30 jazz aperitif
21.00 concert in the garden of Il Castello or other venue in Certaldo
22.30 jam session at Il Castello
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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, rhythm, vocal/body/breathing, movement and connection.
Chi kung & Tai Chi - with Alessio Tanturli
Chi Kung is an a introspective work based on the consciousness of oneself using simple, though not necessarily easy, exercises. The person listens to his body connecting physically with the earth and the sky and finding his place between them as part of nature. This kind of work allows one to connect all different parts of the body in one and feel new sensations of fullness.
Tai Chi Form is used to make the body strong in various ways; through understanding the principles of relaxation and connection, spiral movement, expansion/contraction, movement on one point, exertion of force, and much more...This type of training, when applied to a musician's relationship to his/her instrument, can bring tremendous physical and mental an ease, composure and command to the act of performance.
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.
Samba Training - with Francesco Petreni
A group workshop in which we train and learn the various different calls and rhythms, under the guidance of Francesco Petreni. We will learn some of the traditional songs and rhythms as performed at the carnivals of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo as well as from other areas of Brazil.
Vocal and Body
The workshop explores the use of energy and the voice, and fine tuning body and mind coordination within a musical context. Using song material from all around the world we work at enhancing the quality of our listening skills and the sounds we produce.
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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.