🎷 Denys Baptiste Jazz Improvisation Workshop 🎷🎷 4th - 5th May 2024 🎷

St Leonards Hotel, Ringwood, BH24 2NR

🎷 Denys Baptiste Jazz Improvisation Workshop 🎷🎷 4th - 5th May 2024 🎷

St Leonards Hotel, Ringwood, BH24 2NR

On 4th / 5th May 2024 AB Workshops are delighted to host a Jazz Improvisation Workshop with saxophonist Denys Baptiste. Suitable for those with an instrumental ability of Grade 3 standard or above (see below for more info).

Born in London of St Lucian parents in 1969, Denys studied music at school from the age of 13 and, in 1990, went on to study at the West London Institute (Brunel University). In 1992, he continued his music education at London’s Guildhall School of Music, studying under former Jazz Messenger, Jean Toussaint.

From the moment he joined the London jazz circuit, Denys displayed extraordinary talent, energy and commitment. Spotted by veteran Jazz Warriors double bassist, Gary Crosby at the bassist’s regular Tomorrow’s Warriors jam sessions, Denys was immediately invited to join Crosby’s new band, Nu Troop. Since then, Denys has soared in his development as a soloist and bandleader, earning enormous respect from his peers.

Denys Baptiste Jazz Improvisation Workshop

On 4th / 5th May 2024 AB Workshops are delighted to host a Jazz Improvisation Workshop with saxophonist Denys Baptiste. Suitable for those with an instrumental ability of Grade 3 standard or above (see below for more info).

Born in London of St Lucian parents in 1969, Denys studied music at school from the age of 13 and, in 1990, went on to study at the West London Institute (Brunel University). In 1992, he continued his music education at London’s Guildhall School of Music, studying under former Jazz Messenger, Jean Toussaint.

Denys Baptiste Jazz Improvisation Workshop

From the moment he joined the London jazz circuit, Denys displayed extraordinary talent, energy and commitment. Spotted by veteran Jazz Warriors double bassist, Gary Crosby at the bassist’s regular Tomorrow’s Warriors jam sessions, Denys was immediately invited to join Crosby’s new band, Nu Troop. Since then, Denys has soared in his development as a soloist and bandleader, earning enormous respect from his peers.

His colossal talent – based on a powerful technique and an ability to improvise fluently and effortlessly across a wide range of musical styles – is matched only by his unfettered energy which takes him and his audiences into the musical stratosphere. A performance with Denys guarantees a display of unsuppressed expression, ranging from sweet “saxuality” to breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat virtuosity. Over the years, Denys has evolved into what Time Magazine describes as “the icon of British jazz”, with a most distinctive and immediately recognisable sound.

A much sought after soloist, Denys has played/recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and other genres including McCoy Tyner, Andrew Hill, Ernest Ranglin, Bheki Mseleku, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Michael Bowie, Courtney Pine, Manu Dibango, Gary Crosby, Steve Williamson, Julian Joseph, Jason Rebello, Martin Taylor, Lonnie Plaxico, Ralph Moore, Billy Higgins, Jerry Dammers, Sean Oliver, Jean Carne, Marlena Shaw, Noel McCoy, Juliet Roberts, Incognito, Jazz Jamaica, and others of distinction.

Denys is an amazingly versatile musician and, although his roots are steeped in the jazz tradition, he incorporates ideas from other musical forms and popular culture, producing a repertoire which is contemporary, multi-layered and highly accessible. He is also an enormously talented composer/arranger, whose brilliant compositions have already earned him immense critical acclaim.

“Reimagining 10 such works takes guts, vision and an all-star backing band, all of which British master saxophonist Denys Baptiste is blessed with here.” LONDON EVENING STANDARD (UK)

“Bandleader, composer and educator Denys Baptiste is among the generation of musicians, many of them of Caribbean or African heritage, who pointed the way for the younger players who have emerged on the London jazz scene since around 2015.”
All About Jazz

“Clearly, Denys is endowed with unusual technical means and listening to this disc, his phrases have the fluidity and fluency of an imagination that seems not to know its own limits.” CULTURE JAZZ (FRANCE)

“…this laterally courageous take on Coltrane also underlines ambition to match a substantial talent.” JAZZWISE MAY 2017

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

– Rhythm and time – clapping games
– Groove and swing in the ensemble
– Ear training – play what you hear, transcribing (learn song and singing a solo)
– Language and lines (learning phrases and lines)
– Some approaches to practice
– Putting it together – Repertoire and interpretation of songs using lyrics
– Jazz Harmony – symbols and sequences and how to navigate through the changes
– Introduction to soloing techniques (licks/improv on a theme/bebop/modal/free)
– Putting it together – Performance

Denys Baptiste Jazz Improvisation Workshop
Specifics About The Weekend
  • 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
  • ‘Observer’ places available for those wishing to attend but not actively participate
  • Workshop runs from 10am – 4.30pm each day, with two 30 minute breaks and a 1 hour lunch break
  • 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.

Participant Information

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.

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