Jazz Ensemble
F05, S06, F06. S07
Bruce Williamson
This ensemble will play a wide range of jazz music (which is constantly evolving) rooted in improvisation. By playing together, students will learn how blues, swing, Latin, and rock elements have all fueled this music called jazz. Students will also learn how major jazz artists such as Ellington, Monk, Mingus, Wayne Shorter, Ornette Coleman, and others have approached jazz composition. As a group we will explore different approaches to playing over chord changes and various ways to make improvised solos more interesting, both harmonically and rhythmically. Whether playing a jazz standard, a student composition, or “free” music, the emphasis will be on listening and on interacting with each other, finding ways to create blend, groove, dynamic contrast, tension, and release. Students will also be encouraged to bring in arrangements, transcriptions, and compositions, which will be read and developed by the ensemble. Students will be requested to show work during the term at Music Workshop.