Courses and workshops

OttawaJazzScene.ca is pleased to offer listings for jazz-related courses, workshops, clinics and mentoring opportunities as a free service to Ottawa-Gatineau jazz fans, teachers, and students.

Listings must be relevant to the Ottawa-Gatineau jazz scene in the sole judgement of the OJS editors. Please submit your listing in plain text only to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . MS Word documents and other proprietary file format attachments will be discarded unread.

Jason Vieaux masterclass at the University of Ottawa

Thursday, September 16 - 5 to 8 p.m.
Admission:$5

In collaboration with the Ottawa Guitar Society. Vieaux will play a concert the following evening.

Although best known as a classical guitarist, Vieaux has also recorded Latin music. In 2005, he released an album of Pat Metheny's music entitled Images of Metheny. After listening to this landmark recording, Metheny declared: "I am flattered to be included in Jason's musical world."

www.jasonvieaux.com/biography.htm

Info: Louis Trépanier ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), 613-562-5800 ext. 3902

Freiman Hall (Room 121)
Perez Building
610 Cumberland Street
University of Ottawa

www.music.uottawa.ca/concert.html

Singing R&B and Blues Course

Sing classic Blues, Soul & Motown favourites.

This course will focus on the stylistic considerations of the R&B and Blues genres. You will receive handouts created specifically for this class. You will learn vocal techniques for breath support, phrasing, flexibility, range, judicious use of vibrato, diction, how to "belt" responsibly, lyric interpretation. You will explore the art of backing vocals and all participants will be singing lead and back-up.

You will have the opportunity to perform with a band and participate in the Alcorn Music Studios afternoon Coffee House, November 28th at Tucson's.

Date: 12 week course beginning Sept. 14 to Nov. 30
Time: Tuesdays, 7 to 8:45 p.m.
Instructor: Elise Letourneau, B.Mus., M.Ed.
Location: Alcorn Music Studios, 903 Carling Ave. @ Sherwood Dr. (Dow's Lake/Little Italy area)
For full details please visit www.alcornmusicstudios.com
Call or email: 613-729-0693 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ?subject=r&b%20and%20blues%20course%20> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ?subject=r&b%20and%20blues%20course%20>

Jazzworks Jazz Camp: Still room at the camp

Christine Duncan teaches vocal jazz at the 2008 JazzWorks jazz camp ©Brett Delmage, 2008 Ottawa Jazz Happenings announced July 24 that the registration deadline for the 2010 JazzWorks Jazz Camp (August 19-22) has been extended, and applications are still being accepted.

As well, a new guest artist has been announced: New York recording artist Don Braden (replacing Ted Nash). "Don Braden is a master of the tenor and soprano saxophone and also an outstanding flutist. He has toured the world leading his own ensembles, as a special guest and as a sideman with such greats as Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Roy Haynes and many others. Don has composed music for everything from duo to symphonic orchestra, in many styles, for recordings, film and television. An active performer in the New York area, he is also on the faculty of the Prins Claus Conservatoire in Gronengin, Holland."

Led by Toronto trumpet player and Guest Artistic Director, Jim Lewis, other 2010 JazzWorks returning faculty include Canadian jazz musicians: vocalists Julie Michels, Christine Duncan and Sharada Banman, pianist David Restivo, drummers Jean Martin and Nick Fraser, saxophonists Remi Bolduc and Frank Lozano, as well as Rob Frayne for composition and arranging. New or returning after several years are pianist Nancy Walker, bassist Kieran Overs, guitarists Kim Ratcliffe and Garry Elliott and trombonist William Carn.

The camp is an intensive learning opportunity for adult jazz musicians (all levels, beginner through professional), and advanced high school musicians, to immerse themselves in a full weekend of music-making through original composition, solo and combo performance. Many local jazz musicians have attended the camp over the last 17-odd years and said they learned a great deal from the experience.

Ottawa Jazz Happenings also said that the original composition development done by jazz combos at the camp will be part of the preparation for a special event/concert that will take place in Ottawa in fall 2010. Originals, sponsored by the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council, will feature JazzWorks faculty and participants as they present their newly created works to the Ottawa community.

See more photos by Brett Delmage of the 2008 Jazz Camp here.

Trumpet Bootcamp at Alcorn Music Studios

Monday, August 23 to Friday, August 27 - 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Alcorn Music Studios, 903 Carling Avenue, Ottawa
Course Fee: $250 (non-refundable)
To Register: Call 613-729-0693 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Instructor: Nicholas Dyson
Guest Instructor: Dr. John Ellis

This course is for students 14 years of age and older, and is designed to improve their abilities as musicians and players. Scheduled conveniently near the end of summer, students will enjoy better results on start-of-the-year auditions, and avoid the embarrassment of showing up to first rehearsals with ‘summer chops’.

Firmly rooted in the fundamentals of brass playing, this course is designed to give students the knowledge, focus and discipline needed to be successful.

Goals and Areas of Focus:

Better Technique and Facility
Endurance and Stamina
Musicianship and Ensemble Playing
Time and Tempo
Improvisation

This camp has limited enrollment of twelve. Admission is on a first come, first serve basis. Confirmation of enrollment will only occur when full payment is received. Registration deadline: July 22nd, 2010.

Need more info? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 613-729-0693 (Alcorn)

www.alcornmusicstudios.com/Trumpet%20Boot%20Camp.htm

Guitarists Get Ready! course at Alcorn Music Studios

Mondays, June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12 - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Alcorn Music Studios, 903 Carling Avenue, Ottawa
Course Fee: $188 includes study guide (non-refundable)
To Register: Call 613-729-0693 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This course is designed for the guitarist who wishes to get a head start. Upgrade your music skills, sight reading and guitar technique in anticipation of applying for a University or College music program. This course is beneficial to students entering their first year of a college/university music program, current college/university guitar students looking to establish a practice routine, guitar teachers wanting to expand their teaching skills and is also applicable to serious guitarists interested in upgrading their skills. This course is relevant to all styles of music.

Renowned guitarist and music educator, Tim Bedner, has recognized a need for additional knowledge in essential music skills and fundamental guitar basics with many young guitarists. Tim has created this course in order to target these areas, help students develop a strong knowledge base and provide the keys to successful practice and study habits.

The focus of the course:

Strengthen basic skills and fundamentals of guitar playing
Study theory with application to harmony and improvisation
Learn fret board organization through chords, arpeggios, scales, and inversions.
Improve your sight-reading and improvisation skills
Gain confidence with your guitar playing
Read charts and participate in weekly class performances
Learn practice techniques and time management skills, which will benefit your studies and music career

Instructor: Tim Bedner
Guest Instructors: Roddy Ellias and Wayne Eagles

http://www.alcornmusicstudios.com/Guitar%20Prep%20Course.htm

Need more info? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 613-729-0693 (Alcorn)

Inside the Music with Kirk MacDonald

Sunday, May 9 - 3:30 p.m.
Tickets $15

Just confirmed:
Inside the Music presents guest artist saxophonist Kirk MacDonald! This lecture/demo will be hosted by Ottawa's Mike Tremblay. (Kirk will be playing the previous evening at Café Paradiso with Roddy Ellias).

To reserve a seat call 613-729-0693 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.alcornmusicstudios.com

Alcorn Music Studios
903 Carling Avenue, 2nd floor (Cross street is Sherwood Drive)
Ottawa

Ian Froman contemporary jazz drumming clinic at Carleton University

Thursday, March 25 - 7 to 9 p.m.
Tickets: $15 (available at the door or in advance)
Advance ticket locations: Dave's Drum Shop or Carleton University Music Department (Loeb Building, 9th Floor)

Ian Froman, an alumni from Nepean High School, will describe and demonstrate the elements and techniques used by many of today's top contemporary jazz drummers.

Contact Jeff Asselin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

A seasoned creative and working musician, Ian moved to the US from Ottawa where he began playing drums in his early teens, to study Jazz Performance, first at Berklee College of Music (B.M., 1984; selected to attend the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida to study with Elvin Jones), and then with Miroslav Vitous at the New England Conservatory (M.M., 1986).

Ian is a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, Drummers Collective, New School University and City College of New York. Ian lives in New York City, where he has performed and recorded with many of the city’s top artists.

His extensive touring in North America, Europe, and Asia has included club, concert, and festival appearances, as well as television and radio broadcasts with such artists as: John Abercrombie, Jerry Bergonzi, Michael Brecker, Gary Burton, Marc Copland, Garry Dial, Mathew Garrison, George Garzone, Larry Goldings, Mick Goodrick, Larry Grenadier, Tim Hagans, Craig Handy, John Hart, Kevin Hayes, Dave Holland, Dave Liebman, Rick Margitza, Cecil McBee, Ron McClure, Ben Monder, George Mraz, Mike Stern, John Taylor, Miroslav Vitous, and Kenny Wheeler.

He has received two Canadian Juno Awards (1998, 1999), two Jazz Report Magazine awards (1998, 1999), and a West Coast Music Award (1998) for his work with the Canadian group Metalwood.

Ian’s discography is also extensive. The range of his work can be appreciated by listening to his contributions to Rick Margitza’s Heart of Hearts, Sheryl Bailey’s Power of 3 CD’s, Wolfgang Schalk’s Quartet CD’s, The Mike Murley/David Braid Quartet, Laszlo Gardony’s The Secret, Manu Pekar’s Passages, Ahmad Mansour’s Penumbra, Episode, Oxiana and Tumbleweed.

The Ian Froman Quartet will perform at Cafe Paradiso on Friday March 26th with local artists Mike Tremblay, Mark Ferguson, and Alex Mastronardi.
See our event listing

Studio A
Ninth Floor, Loeb Building
1125 Colonel By Drive
Carleton University

Performing the Jazz Songbook course at Alcorn Music Studios

Tuesdays, March 23 to June 8 - 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: Alcorn Music Studios, 903 Carling Avenue, Ottawa

Maximum class size: eight students
Registration Fee: $349 for 12 weeks (non refundable)
To Register: Call 613-729-0693 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
What to bring: water bottle, notebook & pen, recording device if you wish to record the class

This is a performance-development class where you'll learn classic jazz songs and explore different ways of presenting them. You'll learn how to identify and express different types of grooves, how to set up a song, and how to count it in for your back-up musicians. We'll examine interpretation and phrasing, and we'll explore ways of personalizing the song and making it your own. Each week you'll have a chance to sing and work out the details. Near the end of the course you'll have a chance to perform with a band at the Alcorn Music Studios Coffee House.

This is a "less scent" class.

Instructor: Elise Letourneau, B.Mus., M.Ed. jazz vocalist, music educator and director of Capital Vox

http://www.alcornmusicstudios.com