21st / 22nd August 2021 – Two day pop / jazz saxophone & rhythm and blues workshop. This is a fantastic opportunity for saxophone players to work with one of the UK’s top saxophonists, and leader of the award-winning Sax Appeal and featured member of the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Collaborations include Eric Clapton & Amy Winehouse.
29th August 2021 – This Introduction to Jazz and Improvisation Day will be ideal for those with little or no experience playing jazz or improvising. Carefully chosen music and music theory combined with playing will increase your confidence. Relaxed, supportive environment.
9th / 10th October 2021 – NEW for 2021, a saxophone workshop with Naomi Sullivan, head of saxophone at the excellent Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. We welcome Naomi Sullivan to JazzSmart in 2021, for what promises to be a fantastic weekend of learning all about the saxophone.
12th / 13th February 2022 – JazzSmart hosts a two day saxophone weekend at the beautiful Hallé at St Michaels, Manchester, that is aimed equally at classical and jazz saxophonists. A great way to start the year, treat this course as a saxophonic MOT, setting you up musically for 2022. Age and experience aren’t the important factors here, everyone is welcome, you simply need to be passionate about music!
19th / 20th March 2022 – Two day Big Band experience with Frank Griffith. Don’t miss the chance to learn and play with this formidable musician, band leader and composer. As a renowned jazz saxophonist and clarinettist, Frank Griffith has been performing for over 40 years, primarily in New York and London. The course will emphasise a balance of ensemble playing and improvisation skills as well as nurturing a healthy cameraderie amongst the members.
9th / 10th April 2022 – NEW for 2022, a clarinet workshop with Emma Johnson, one of the UK’s biggest selling classical artists, and is one of the few clarinettists to have established a busy career as a solo performer which has taken her to major European, American and Asian venues as well as to Africa and Australasia.
7th / 8th May 2022 – Two day jazz improvisation workshop With Dave O’Higgins. This is an incredible opportunity for budding improvisors to work with one of the UK’s top saxophonists. Dave has a wide palette from Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Joe Henderson through to Stanley Turrentine and Michael Brecker.
