ensembles

  • Players sign up for the whole season to one of 3 options - Ensemble, Ensemble+ or Pathway. See below for details.
  • Various payment options (standing order, instalment or full payment) are available.
  • Catch-up days and/or swaps for missed sessions are arranged whenever possible.
  • Groups are streamed by ability and experience.
  • These are small groups based round rhythm section (drums, bass, piano/guitar) plus frontline.
  • Meetings take place in the three large studios (lounge, blue room and and clicking) at Jazz School UK. Grand pianos galore!
  • Ensemble days run 10.30am-4.30pm. Doors open 9.45am.
  • Each group has a set repertoire of 12 jazz tunes and standards - either REP A or REP B. With the help of Theory Preparation Zooms, supplied playlists and tune sheets, theory notes from the live meetings and from jazz school literature, players prepare three new tunes each month and come in to play them in their group under the guidance of one of our expert tutors. They then work some more on these tunes in the light of what they have learned in this session and bring them back for revision later in the season.
  • In addition to the 8 repertoire meetings each group has a PERFORMANCE DAY.
  • The aims are - learning the essential tune repertoire which is the primary source of the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements of jazz improvisation - learning how to function correctly within a small jazz group - learning how to apply the theory of jazz harmony and rhythm to real-time improvisation - learning how to connect sound to feeling.
  • The main part of the work is done by the player in personal practice, performance and study;  the monthly meetings, as well as being guided playing sessions, provide a focus for this personal work, an opportunity to ask questions and to receive group feedback and clarification of theory points, and are also very enjoyable social occasions. Sometimes there is cake.
  • The monthly meetings comprise four x 1 hour sessions and use a range of development techniques to explore and consolidate the ensemble skills, tune language and theory points arising in the performance of each tune.
  • Groups prepare, play and work on 3 tunes each day (ie one per session) and in the last session of the day choose a jazz standard to play 'in performance mode'. As well as being a welcome chance to break free of 'workshop concentration mode’, this is very good practice for the PERFORMANCE DAY later in the season!
  • ensemble options

    Our ensemble system has proved to be marvellously effective for hundreds of students - it's a great way of bringing focus and direction to your jazz studies!
    Our tutors are expert at finding theory points, ensemble skills, development exercises, and instrumental pointers that are important for everyone in the room. But sometimes this isn't quite enough - many students want (and require) a more personalised programme - and for this reason we offer different ENSEMBLE OPTIONS, as follows:

    Ensemble (Season Fee £830) 9 meetings October-June ( with Theory Preparation Zooms + written tutor report and feedback)

    Ensemble+ (Season Fee £1030) As Ensemble but with 4 hours of individual lessons to address issues arising. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

    Pathway (Season Fee £2060) As well as their monthly ensemble, students also attend a Pathway Day - this is still a playing day but is based on designated transcription and artist projects - this season we are learning the great album FOR REAL! The programme includes 2 written reports and feedback Zooms, and 8 hours of individual lessons to address issues arising.

    Jazz Song Ensemble (Season Fees: Instrumentalists - 9 sessions + report/feedback - £770. + report/feedback £300) This ensemble, led by Andra Sparks and guest tutors, comprises 4 sessions exploring Repertoire D with Andra singing, 4 sessions working on repertoire brought in by student singers and 1 Performance Day.

     

    ensemble repertoire

    REPERTOIRE A: Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid - Charade - Grooveyard - Besame Mucho - Shoutin' Out - Memories Of You - A Smooth One - Good Morning Heartache - Sonando - On The Trail - Estate - Equinox

    REPERTOIRE B: Tears Inside - Nice Work If You Can Get It - One Note Samba - Social Call - The Loop - Summer's Gone - Borderline - Joshua - The Peacocks - The More I See You -Del Sasser - Jaya Paul

    REPERTOIRE C (For Real!): Hip - Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams - Crazeology - Numbers Game - For Real - I Love You

    REPERTOIRE D (Jazz Song): TBA

    ensemble dates

    aragorn LEVEL 3-4 REPERTOIRE B
    DATES Oct 5 Nov 2 Nov 30 Jan 4 Feb 1 March 1 April 5 May 3 May 31 catch-up days June 21/22

    GANDALF LEVEL 3-4 REPERTOIRE B
    DATES Oct 5 Nov 2 Nov 30 Jan 4 Feb 1 March 1 April 5 May 3 May 31 catch-up days June 21/22

    pippin LEVEL 3-4 REPERTOIRE B
    DATES Oct 5 Nov 2 Nov 30 Jan 4 Feb 1 March 1 April 5 May 3 May 31 catch-up days June 21/22

    MORdor LEVEL 2-3 REPERTOIRE A
    DATES Oct 6 Nov 3 Dec 1 Jan 5 Feb 2 March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1 catch-up days June 21/22

    jazz song ensemble LEVEL 2-4 REPERTOIRE D
    DATES Oct 6 Nov 3 Dec 1 Jan 5 Feb 2 March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1 catch-up days June 21/22

    pathway LEVEL 3-4 REPERTOIRE C
    DATES Oct 12 Nov 9 Dec 7 Jan 11 Feb 8 March 8 April 12 May 10 June 7

    sauron LEVEL 2-3 REPERTOIRE A
    DATES Oct 12 Nov 9 Dec 7 Jan 11 Feb 8 March 8 April 12 May 10 June 7 catch-up days June 21/22

    baggins LEVEL 2-3 REPERTOIRE A
    DATES Oct 13 Nov 10 Dec 8 Jan 12 Feb 9 March 9 April 13 May 11 June 8 catch-up days June 21/22

    legolas LEVEL 2-3 REPERTOIRE A
    DATES Oct 13 Nov 10 Dec 8 Jan 12 Feb 9 March 9 April 13 May 11 June 8 catch-up days June 21/22

    morgoth LEVEL 3-4 REPERTOIRE B
    DATES Oct 13 Nov 10 Dec 8 Jan 12 Feb 9 March 9 April 13 May 11 June 8 catch-up days June 21/22

     

    Theory Preparation Zooms

    Here are the live dates. Times 6-8pm - sessions also available as recordings.

    REP A

    Tue, 24 Sep 2024 Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid - Charade - Grooveyard

    Tue, 22 Oct 2024 Besame Mucho - Shoutin' Out - Memories Of You

    Tue, 19 Nov 2024 A Smooth One - Good Morning Heartache - Sonando

    Tue, 17 Dec 2024 On The Trail - Estate - Equinox

    REP B

    Wed, 25 Sep 2024 Tears Inside - Nice Work If You Can Get It - One Note Samba

    Wed, 23 Oct 2024 Social Call - The Loop - Summer's Gone

    Wed, 20 Nov 2024 Borderline - Joshua - The Peacocks

    Wed, 18 Dec 2024 The More I See You -Del Sasser - Jaya Paul

    sign up

    Are you interested in joining a Jazz School UK Ensemble? If so, contact us without further delay! You will find our registration details and contact forms over on the CONTACT US tab.