Jazz Notes - Jazz Workshop
With Faye Patton: Singer/Guitarist/Pianist/Band-leader
12.15pm to 1.45pm - £15.00 (booking required)
@ The Spice of Life, Soho, London W1D 5NA
The Workshop:
Like jazz? Curious about it? Maybe an avid listener but never dived in? Heard terms like ‘head’ or ‘jamming’ and wondered how it all works? By the end of the session, you will have:
* delved into the structure of a jazz song.
* explored signals and techniques to start playing a song with others, i.e. the count in.
* had a taste of typical keys, key centres and progressions such as 2 5 1.
* explored the relationship between melody, harmony and rhythm.
* played a song with others – which may give you the confidence to participate in band situations in the future – with new musical vocabulary.
* had a lot of fun and had a go at leading, following, improvising and even soloing!
This intensive 90 min session is designed for 12 people and is accessible to instrumentalists or singers of varying abilities. It aims to be a fun and stimulating workshop by the end of which participants will have a working grasp of some of the language and features of jazz. Also, a taste of playing together as an ensemble, with a musical goal – to play ‘Autumn Leaves’ together by the end.
Rhythm is a crucial part of jazz – and music generally. Faye is an experienced band leader and producer, with some percussion skills (including Irish Bodrhan, varied hand percussion and some kit drumming experience) that will benefit novice drummers seeking to improve their time-keeping, groove, confidence and participation in an ensemble.
If you’ve ever wanted to get into jazz playing but felt daunted by things like improvisation, unusual scales, harmonies or rhythms, or playing with others – this workshop is for you – and is a chance to dive in and explore in an enjoyable setting.
There will be some written teaching materials – chord, key and rhythm charts and a classic jazz lead sheet. However, no previous experience of these formats is a requirement. Listening, feel and enthusiasm are paramount – free your mind and the jazz will follow!
Faye Patton:
Faye is a ‘Nu Jazz’ singer-songwriter, pianist and classically trained guitarist – she writes original songs in the jazz idiom which combine jazz, funk, pop, folk, gospel and blues influences with a retro yet contemporary sound that recalls the great divas of the 30’s 40’s and 50’s.
As a freelance music teacher and multi-instrumentalist she has a distinctive, classic yet contemporary ‘Nu jazz’ sound and a burgeoning profile on the UK Jazz scene. Her vocals, (with a register that stretches to heights, depths and lengths that make audiences gasp) have been compared to Judy Garland and Joni Mitchell.
Her prodigious piano playing has been compared to Ray Charles and Horace Silver. She is a versatile and experienced piano bar player and can entertain for 2-3 hours at a stretch – originals and jazz standards.
Musically prodigious from childhood, Faye Patton has been teaching in an ongoing professional capacity for over 25 years in a huge variety of settings. These include degree courses and private students, also community sector projects for youth and those socially excluded from music education.
A snap-shot of some of her teaching and professional engagements include; Dartington College of Arts (vocal coach), Roehampton Institute (vocal coach), CM Ltd/ Community Music /Westminster University (course leader/designer and vocal/ instrumental tutor/teacher trainer), Audio Active (music tutor), British Academy of New Music (vocal/keyboard tutor), UJAMMA Arts (guitar/keyboard/songwriting tutor) Middlesex University (vocal tutor on Popular Music BA), Private Tutor (guitar, piano, singing) as well as a broadcaster on Jazz London Radio.
Faye has gigged regularly in and around the London scene over the last 20 years. Venues include: Soho Theatre Piano Bar, Ray’s Jazz, Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s, Stratford Theatre Royal, Upstairs at The Ritzy Cinema, The Vortex, The Green Note, The Pheasantry, Karamel Klub, Toulouse Lautrec, Caffe Concerto, E15 Jazz Sessions, Soderberg Soho, Bermondsey Arts Club, The Troubadour, Jazz Cafe POSK, 100 years Gallery, Temple of Art and Music. Festivals: Isle of Wight International Jazz Divas, Derry Jazz Festival, Hackney Spice Festival and Jazznacht Donaueshingen in Germany.
The Venue:
All this takes place at the legendary live music venue; ‘The Spice of Life’ in Soho, Central London.
Express booking available.
Book now!