Alex Clarke Jazz Improvisation Workshop

🎷 Alex Clarke Jazz Improvisation Workshop 🎷🎷 28th - 29th October 2023 🎷

St Leonards Hotel, Ringwood, BH24 2NR

🎷 Alex Clarke Jazz Improvisation Workshop 🎷🎷 28th - 29th October 2023 🎷

St Leonards Hotel, Ringwood, BH24 2NR

On 28th / 29th October 2023 AB Workshops are delighted to host a Jazz Improvisation Workshop with saxophonist Alex Clarke. Suitable for those with an instrumental ability of Grade 3 standard or above (see below for more info). Alex is endorsed by Vandoren Reeds.

As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 & 2022, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile young saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene. Since the age of 15 – where she saw her first public performance sitting in with the Exall/Roberts Quintet at Pershore Jazz Festival – Alex has been a regular face at jazz clubs and festivals all around the country.

Known for her versatility and open-minded attitude towards jazz, Alex enjoys performing a range of genres from New Orleans to bebop. Praised for her extensive repertoire list and intelligent ear for harmony, she brings a youthful, intuitive approach that always sounds authentic in a variety of musical settings. Alex’s musical voice is steeped in the tradition of jazz; her deep respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in her swinging, melodic sound which is reminiscent of Scott Hamilton and Lester Young, also heavily influenced by Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley.

“This lady plays with gutsiness and a respect for melody that’s often overlooked by younger jazz players today” The Jazz Cave

“Bathe in her command of rhythm and her gorgeous sound on alto and tenor” All About Jazz

“One of the UK’s finest young jazz talents” The Jazz Rag

“Strong and full sound… swinging, melodic and refreshingly cliché-free” Jazz Views

Alex will be covering the following subjects in the two days:

Discussing how to construct melodic lines over a ii-V-I and then implementing them over jazz standards
Talk and demonstrate ideas of using the melody of a tune as the basis for improvisation
Demystifying the idea of harmony
Explore Alex’s foundation for harmony/improvising based on the Barry Harris ‘leading note diminished’ theory
Ear training/development, including learning standards by ear

Based at St Leonards Hotel in beautiful Dorset, with excellent facilities
Two full days of tutor lead sessions, four sessions per day
Suitable for the following instruments: Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitar
Workshop runs from 10am – 4.30pm each day, with two 30 minute breaks and a 1 hour lunch break
‘Observer’ places available for those wishing to attend but not actively participate
Optional: A Hot lunch (including requirements such as vegetarian, gluten intolerance etc)
Refreshments; Tea, coffee (including freshly made filter coffee), juices, a variety of biscuits, fresh pastries
Prices range from £50-£150 for two days depending on instrument
FREE parking
On-site accommodation (subject to availability). Not included in the price, please book direct with the hotel
Safe, simple, secure. We have now set it up for you to be able to book easier than ever before, simply BOOK ONLINE
Deposit scheme now available; pay £50 to reserve a space on a future workshop and pay the balance 3 months before workshop date
Payment plan scheme now available; pay £25 upfront and then pay monthly by direct debit for the balance

Alternatively if you have any questions on the suitability of this course for you we will be happy to help. Contact us at hello@abworkshops.com or by calling 07711 998058 and we will be happy to discuss your needs further.

As an approximate guideline; be able to play around Grade 3 standard. Please note, this does not mean you need Grade 3 qualification, it means your current playing level should be of this standard or better. We also have an alternative guideline of being able to play your major scales up to 4 sharps and flats. You can however be totally new to improvising, having a good solid foundation on the instrument is key foremost.

Regardless of your current level, we here at AB Workshops are committed to providing tuition and support at a pace that allows you to absorb salient points while good progress and motivation is maintained.

What do we mean by “grades” as a measuring tool? We use the ABRSM/Trinity “classical” syllabus, but in most respects this applies to the Jazz grades as well. If you haven’t taken any grades then please contact us to discuss suitability.

For the Observer places, having a reasonable knowledge of music theory would help you gain the most from this workshop.

– Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
– Trumpet
– Trombone
– Drums
– Bass
– Guitar

You will need to bring your own instrument and instrument stand as well as a music stand.

Drums: You’ll need to bring your own kit.

Guitar/Bass: You’ll need to bring your own amps.

Price for this two day workshop ranges from £50-£150 depending on instrument.

Refreshments; Tea, coffee (including freshly made filter coffee), juices, a variety of biscuits, fresh pastries.

A hot lunch is included if you choose that option when making the booking (including requirements such as vegetarian, gluten intolerance etc).

Times for the workshop are as follows:

Arrive: 9.30am onwards
Session one: 10am – 11.15am
Morning break: 11.15am – 11.45am
Session two: 11.45am – 1pm
Lunch: 1pm – 2pm
Session three: 2pm – 3pm
Afternoon break: 3pm – 3.30pm
Session four: 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Participants of all ages are welcome. Please note: Participants under 18 will need to provide parent/ guardian contact details.

BOOK ONLINE