Gift of Jazz

Who is this class for? — Our jazz composition class is created for adults high school age and beyond with a foundational knowledge of music theory who are looking to create their own music. Course Description — Immerse yourself in the versatile world of lead sheet style composition. Together we will explore both traditional and contemporary techniques of theme creation and development, along with empowering insights into harmonic language that breathes life into your melodies. From blues to multi-sectional, we'll…

Who is this class for? — Our jazz piano class is created for adults high school age and beyond who are looking to learn or continue to develop the magical language of jazz on the piano. Course Description — This course will focus on strategies for improvisation while self-accompanying, as well as accompaniment styles and tools, and jazz chord voicings. You will build technical skills on the piano through the lens of jazz. Have you ever wondered why artists voice…

Who is this class for? — Our jazz improvisation class is created for adults high school age and beyond with a minimum foundational knowledge of how to build a major scale. It will be helpful to know what whole steps, half steps, and major and minor triads are. You are also passionate about learning how to express yourself on your instrument in real time! Course Description — This course understands and addresses the hesitations and uncertainties that often accompany the…

One of the giants of the jazz piano, Bud Powell changed the way that virtually all post-swing pianists play. He did away with left-hand striding. His right hand often played speedy single-note lines, essentially transforming Charlie Parker’s vocabulary to the piano (although he developed parallel to “Bird”). Powell suffered from headaches and mental breakdowns throughout his career due to a racially motivated act of violence by police. Despite this, he recorded some true gems for Roost, Blue Note, and Verve, composing such…