Jazz Performance

Gain confidence in your ability to improvise and perform in a jazz group and learn tunes from the jazz repertoire.

The course will introduce you to playing in a jazz band, or provide opportunity for you to improve your knowledge and skills.

We will work on a number of tunes over the 10-week course, modelling a real playing experience. We play together as a group, learning tunes and improvising.

As far as possible we will function as a jazz band would, depending on the mix of instrumentsparticipating.

Within this context we will consider orthodox performance conventions, and allow you to try improvising (or improve this skill) in a supportive environment.
This is a practical course focussed on playing, but theory and improvisation techniques relevant to the tunes being played will feature.

Please note: Attenborough Arts has two acoustic pianos we can use, but no other instruments or backline. You will need to bring your own instrument(s) each week.

Unfortunately we cannot include vocalists, unless you also play an instrument.

Your instrument (other than drums etc) needs to be capable of all 12 chromatic notes. eg not diatonic “Blues” harmonica.

This course is for those who play an instrument with reasonable proficiency – we will contact you after booking to ask which instrument(s) you will be playing.

To engage fully with the course you will also need to read music or chord symbols, but those who play well by ear are also welcome.

Tutor Richard Everitt is based in Leicester and plays the saxophone and piano. He mostly performs in small jazz groups, but also writes for larger ensembles. He performs regularly at Regent Jazz, where he organises the monthly jam session. Between 2016 and 2022 hewas lead composer for the Leicester Cosmopolitan Carnival finale performances. As well as running this course, Richard has also tutored at CL Jazz Summer Courses for some years.