Play Jazz! workshop: Get into the groove

Saturday 7 September 2019, 2-6pm at Sage Gateshead

Guest Tutors: Aaron Wood and James Girling of Artephis

James Girling: Versatile guitarist, arranger and composer based in Manchester, James graduated last year with a Master’s degree (with distinction) from RNCM, where he studied with classical guitarist Craig Ogden and jazz pianist Dan Whieldon. While an undergraduate there, he won the RNCM Gold Medal, subsequently performing at the Wigmore Hall. Meanwhile as an improviser, alongside co-leading Artephis with Aaron, James appears around the UK and into Europe with Afrobeat/Ethiojazz-inspired 11-piece Agbeko, and also plays in Lieko Quintet and Prohibition-era septet The Easy Rollers.

Aaron Wood: After graduating from the RNCM with a first class honours degree, Aaron has become a frequent fixture on the Manchester scene. As well as performances with his and James’ group Artephis, Aaron regularly plays with a range of groups at venues such as Band on the Wall, NQ Jazz, Matt and Phreds and Jazz at the Deli Lama. Alongside a passion for improvised music, Aaron is equally passionate about composing, arranging and producing and enjoys working with a range of artists and instrumentalists in different mediums.

On the first Saturday of each month (except January and August) we run four-hour workshops in association with Sage Gateshead. Each one is different, and is usually facilitated by a different tutor. The theme this time is Get Into The Groove: Building up a feel for compelling improvisation through the universal languages of rhythm and melody, enriching our appreciation of the blues and funk, and getting to grips with iconic jazz tunes.

Artephis will be playing at the Globe in the evening.

The Play Jazz! workshops are intended to appeal to a wide range of musicians including those who

  • play other styles of music but are new to jazz
  • play written music but want to learn to improvise
  • have not played for a while and want to refresh their skills
  • want to meet and play with other jazz musicians.

Suitable for all instrumentalists and improvising vocalists. Minimum age 16.

Each four-hour workshop costs £25 (or £22.50 for Jazz.Coop members). Ticket sales are handled by the Sage. You can book online here
https://sagegateshead.com/whats-on/jazz-co-op-presents-play-jazz-workshop/#book
or by phoning the Sage ticket office 0191 443 4661
or by visiting the Sage in person

If you’ve got any questions please email learning@jazz.coop

The workshop will look at Getting Into The Groove with various jazz standards including All Blues and So What by Miles Davis as well as the following which you can download

Duke’s Place (concert)
Duke’s Place (Bb)
Duke’s Place (Eb)

Limbo Jazz (concert)
Limbo Jazz (Bb)
Limbo Jazz (Eb)