About the Workshop

Who:

Musicians are welcome to register if they…

• are entering grade 7 through adult
• can read music
• want to advance their playing and improvisational skills…

Past participants have played saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, flute, vibes, guitar, bass, piano, voice, and drums; but one can improvise jazz on any instrument. We are usually looking for bassists and drummers!

What:

A 5-rehearsal workshop over 2 weeks where students learn improvisational skills by playing in a jazz combo with similarly skilled peers. The workshop consists of 5 combo rehearsals–90 minutes each–and one concert. 

Area students have been learning about jazz improvisation in a combo setting through the Grayslake Jazz Combo Workshop since the summer of 2001.

When:

Combos organized by ability level will be offered at either of these two schedules

Thursday Concert – June 12, 7:00 pm, Ivanhoe Congregational Church (all combos perform)

In-Person Auditions — Saturday, May 17th, between 1 and 4:00 pm. For audition details, see our Placement Auditions page.

When registering, students will register for a combo level happening on one of the above schedules. Learn more about Combo Levels

Where:

Sessions are held at…

Chapin Jazz Studio, 146 Center St., Suite 4, Grayslake Get Directions	The Rails Jazz Club (Paul Nielsen residence music room) at 93 Railroad Av., Grayslake. Get Directions

Concerts are held at Ivanhoe Congregational Church Get Directions

How:

• On the registration form students will indicate their 1st and 2nd choice for a combo. This allows our faculty to maximize correct placement level at the greatest convenience for all students who register. (The more flexible  you are, the more likely we can place you in the best combo for you) 
• Students will also indicate their desired combo level Learn about Combo Levels 
• Except for situations where we need to balance combo instrumentation, positions in combos will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis (according to a student’s date and time of registration). We will maintain a waiting list if necessary.
• If a session fills, we will offer the student a slot in another combo, if possible, or offer an additional session, if we are able.
• When multiple rhythm section players (i.e., drums, piano) are assigned to the same combo, students will switch between drum set and auxiliary percussion, or piano and keyboard, and will alternate their positions on different tunes.
• Our experience has been that students advance regardless of the combo level they are assigned.

Why:

To gain valuable experience playing in a combo, to learn music theory, to get lots of time to improvise in a low-pressure setting, to learn the higher level of professionalism required to perform in concerts, and to have fun and groove to the beat of the most American form of music–jazz.

Topics we cover: Scales and patterns for improvisation; jazz theory beginning to advanced; introductions and endings; trading fours; soloing; learning jazz styles such as swing, latin, waltz, blues, ballads; playing with proper time and feel and, of course, jamming on jazz tunes.

Typical Combo Session: Setup and warm-up–10 minutes; improv on the blues–20 minutes; ear training games and exercises–10 minutes; break–5 minutes; jazz theory–10 minutes; rehearsal of tunes and jamming–60 minutes; assignments and review–5 minutes. Often, a snack is provided.

Faculty:

All of our faculty members are accomplished jazz musicians, fluent improvisers, and passionate jazz educators. Learn more about our faculty on our faculty page, linked below.

Learn More about Our Faculty

Cost:

$220 per session

Students may not participate unless payment is made in full by the first rehearsal. Cost includes a workshop T-shirt, instructional materials, photocopying, teaching and concert facility rental, and all administrative costs.

Note: We will not pro-rate the cost for missed rehearsals.