Master class with Master Jazz Musicians

This morning, the Jazz Ensemble had a clinic with an All-Star team of jazz musicians and educators.  The 8 member team listened to the ensemble perform their competition music and offered immediate feedback and insight for improvement.  The clinician panel was Wycliffe Gordon, Jack Wilikins, Carlos Henriquez, Dan Nummer, Walter  Blanding, Herlin Riley and Ron Ketch.  As a special treat, Swing Central artistic director Marcus Roberts spent 20 minutes with the ensemble, focusing on the rhythm section.  The clinicians were impressed with the prowess of the students and with their sonic maturity.  The ideas shared and exchanged in a 90 minute session were priceless.

Improvisation Master Class Segment

Here's one segment from the improvisation master class and clinic today at the 2013 Swing Central Jazz Festival.

Sharing of ideas.............

One of the best aspects of the SWING CENTRAL event is the clinics and master classes, facilitated by a world-class faculty of teachers and performers.  Our students were initially treated to a 2 hour master class with the entire faculty that focused on equipping the jazz improviser with specific tools for success.  Following that session, the students split into instrument specific classes which focused more on pedagogy specific to each instrument.  The event concluded by attending a performance at a venue for the Savannah Music Festival, featuring a world premiere of a piece composed by tenor saxophonist Walter Blanding.  The  students are over-flowing with ideas and techniques, poised to apply all they learned today during their performances over the next several days.

Fun at Tybee Beach

Before checking into the hotel for the evening, the students spent a few hours at Tybee Beach, enjoying surf, sand and shops.  The tide was exceedingly low, which exposed numerous jelly fish at the end of the shore.

Tybee Island Lighthouse

A few group images from the Tybee Lighthouse.

Savannah River Queen

After arriving in Savannah, we boarded the Savannah River Queen for a cruise up and down the Savannah River.  Including a delicious sandwich lunch, the cruise showed the students the sights and Captain Dave gave an informative historical tour.  After the cruise, the students explored in groups the local shops and historical sights in the Savannah River district.