Each and every member of this year's GMF team of artists, by their presence, bring something absolutely unique to this event, and, just as it happens in the playing of a tune, a song or a story, they work, both singularly and together, to form a single learning community, listening and playing, with all the participants, students, town folk, animals and spirits. In the energy and aliveness that manifests, in which all are immersed during the week, much music, joy and learning arises.

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Special mentions:

This year we are overjoyed, honoured and privileged to have with us one of the greatest Jazz vocalists in the history of the music; Deborah Brown.

We are also thrilled to have another incredible vocalist, Sara Dowling.

And, we are delighted to have the immensely talented rising star vocalist Susanna Aleksandra.

We are joined by 3 iconic pianists from New York; Bruce Barth, who is not only one of the leading jazz musicians and composers of his generation, but also a sought after producer and a supreme vocal accompanist. Tony Bennet, with whom Bruce worked for a couple of years, regarded him as one of his favourite pianists and musicians.

Michael Kanan, whether leading his own groups or participating in those of others, is the embodiment of class. He has worked in the groups of the legendary Jimmy Scott and for the last decade holds the piano seat with Jane Monheit's band, and is simply one of the best in the business. He is also regarded as an accompanist par excellence.

Of Eri Yamamoto, maybe it is best expressed in this quote from New Yorks's edition of Time Out Magazine; "Eri Yamamoto, gracefully bridges the worlds of postbop and free jazz, and surveys her warm, evocative songs without words, typically elegant and understated...－Time Out New York

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Deborah Brown is recognised as one of the greatest jazz singers of all time

Her quartet during the 80's and 90's featured Horace Parlan, Red Mitchell (or alternatively bassist Hein van de Geijn) and Ed Thigpen on drums. Other artists with whom Brown has appeared include Benny Bailey, Kenny Drew, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Johnny Griffin, Roy Hargrove, Ernst Reijseger, Bobby Shew, and Toots Thielemans. She has recorded with Clark Terry, Jan Lundgren, and the Doky Brothers, appearing on their self-titled 1996 album for Blue Note Records.

She has also worked in a musical-literary setting, recording A Lover's Question with the noted African American author James Baldwin.

She is equally at home working with large orchestras, big bands, small groups and in intimate duet settings. She can be heard on recordings with the Netherlands' Metropole Orchestra, The Sandvik Big Band, her own quartet and larger ensemble recordings and on duo sessions with pianists Dorothy Donegan, Roger Kellaway and Cedar Walton, and trombonist Slide Hampton.

The fact that all these outstanding instrumentalists chose to work with her confirms the assessment of her exceptional status as a jazz singer, and one of the greatest in the history of the music.

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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.

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Timetable
August 7

Arrival Day

16.00 - 18.00 register at Albergo Il Castello music room

21.30 welcome concert

23.00 jam session

August 8 - 11

09.00 - 09.50 tai chi and chi gong (days 8, 9 & 10 August)

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 | Limonaia

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, or rest and relax if preferred

16.00 - 17.00 Combo/Ensemble Session - Cellar Castello

17.30 - 18.15 Singers Corner - Castello Bar

August 12

Morning timetable the same as above.

After lunch there will be the final rehearsals for students concert in the evening.

August 13

Departure day

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Evenings

17.30 Singers Corner

18.30 jazz aperitif

21.30 concert in the garden of Il Castello or other venue in Certaldo

*Aug 8 concert at Bar Boccaccio starts at 21.00h

23.00 short concert followed by jam session at Il Castello in the Cellar

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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 the body connecting physically with the earth and the sky and finding ones place between them as part of nature. This kind of work allows one to connect all different parts of the body as 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 concentration and 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 master percussionist 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 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 can also an important part of these sessions.

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