Vocal Jam Session
Sundays at the Jazzschool

The Jazzschool vocal department is pleased to launch a vocal jam session and showcase one Sunday a month throughout the winter and spring quarters. A
Jazzschool Institute vocal student opens each session and serves as MC for the
evening. The vocal jam session and showcase is open to all!

 

	March 28, April 25, May 23 & June 27 7:30 – 9:30 pm
	$5–$10 sliding scale

photos: Hali McGrath

 

technique

Vocal Technique With Raz Kennedy

A class on vocal conditioning, stamina and maintenance along with ear training and placement for pitch accuracy. Students work on specific exercises to increase both vertical and horizontal ranges and learn to implement dynamics, tone color, vibrato and straight tone into their voice. Students learn how to utilize “the break” in their
vocal range and sing with a full voice connection to enhance style and interpretation. Maximum class size: 10

Prerequisites: none. All levels welcome!

Tuesdays 4:45 – 6:15 pm
RAZ KENNEDY (10 weeks) $365

Vocal Technique

An invigorating vocal workout class for singers. This weekly routine provides students with a select series of vocal exercises to condition and strengthen their voice. Range, intonation, breath management, balancing vocal registers, body alignment, vowel formation and dynamics are enhanced through technical exercises applied to songs in all styles. An invaluable tool for both beginners and professionals who wish to improve their overall vocal technique.

Prerequisites: none. All welcome.
Maximum class size: 10

Thursdays 11am – 12:30 pm
Saturdays 10 am – 11:30 am
JOYCE PRICCO (10 weeks) $365

NEW CLASS!
Accompanying Singers — for Jazz Pianists
Accept the ultimate challenge for the jazz pianist and help the singer shine! Develop skills in solid chord voicing, instant re-harmonization, key transposition and arranging, interpreting lead sheets, broadening the piano’s orchestral pallette, and intensified listening. Taking cues from singer-pianists Shirley Horn, Diana Krall, Nat Cole and others, and the exceptional piano/vocal pairings of Ellis Larkins with Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Jones with Sarah Vaughn, and Bill Evans with Tony Bennett, student pianists work with singers weekly, building strengths in a breadth of accompaniment styles.
Prerequisites: some proficiency in playing standard tunes, familiarity with lead sheets.

Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
ken french (10 weeks) $365

Pianist Ken French is musical director for internationally touring artist, Clairdee, having performed, arranged shows, produced and recorded CDs together since 2000. With two decades of experience as an accompanist, arranger and copyist (for numerous northern California singers), solo pianist, as well as leader and composer for his jazz piano trio, Ken’s passion for jazz and education is immediately apparent in his classes and workshops.

performance

Vocal Kitchen: Introduction to Jazz Singing
For vocalists and choral singers who want to learn the art singing jazz and step out of the crowd and in to the spotlight. Learn to prepare the necessary ingredients, mix in the basic skills, develop a musical menu, and cook up the recipe for creating a jazz singer. Fundamental techniques covered:

• Singing exercises and vocal health
• Song selection and finding your style
• How to prepare a song, find the right key
and write a chart
• Establishing the tempo and counting in
the accompanist
• Phrasing techniques and rhythmic timing
• Lyric interpretation
• Performance presentation
• Microphone technique

Prerequisites: ability to sing in tune. Limited to 6 singers.

Mondays 4:45 – 6:15 pm
ellen robinson (10 weeks) $365

Blues Vocal Funshop

Find the freedom and knowledge to sing the blues in this fun, joyous and supportive group class. Students listen to and analyze various blues forms from early Americana to New Orleans, Chicago and Texas blues styles. Gospel, country, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll are also covered. Classes are accompanied by guitar. Maximum enrollment: 6. Prerequisites: none. Open to all!

Section I Tuesdays 4:45 – 6:15 pm
Section II Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 pm
PAMELA ROSE  (10 weeks)  $365

For the Love of Singing

Students learn breathing and vocal techniques and apply them to songs of their choice. Make friends with the microphone and learn basic performance skills in a safe and supportive learning environment. For those who may have had to put aside their vocal dreams due to education, career or family obligations, here’s a perfect opportunity to renew your vocal interests. Maximum enrollment: 8

Saturdays 11:45 – 1:15pm
FAITH WINTHROP  (10 weeks)  $365

The Singer and the Song

Learn the techniques that give rise to confident vocal performance. This class helps vocalists develop essential skills, including how to find appropriate keys, prepare lead sheets, make practice tracks and more. Students interpret songs, learn various grooves and work with an accompanist in preparation for an end-of-quarter performance. A supportive and structured environment for students with a burning desire to sing!

Maximum class size: 6 
Prerequisites: consent of instructor— telephone consultation required.

Thursdays 6:30 – 8 pm
MAYE CAVALLARO   (10 weeks)  $365

Vocal Improvisation 101

Scat singing and wordless vocalizing are among the trademarks of a jazz singer. This class provides students with the fundamentals of vocal improvisation covering syllables, developing phrases and solos, trading fours and learning bebop songs that make up the vocabulary inherent in an authentic “scat” solo. Students focus on form starting with the blues and work toward learning the structure of more complex repertoire. Students spend some class time listening critically to both vocal and instrumental recordings relevant to the class. If you want to step outside of the melodic confines of a song and make it yours, you must learn to improvise! Maximum class size: 10

Prerequisites: none. All welcome!

Sundays Noon – 1:30 pm
MOLLY SKUSE (10 weeks) $365

Neo-Soul Singing

A class for singers interested in learning Neo-Soul, e.g. Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild, et al. Students learn lead vocal and background parts. Class concludes with an end of quarter performance. Instructor toured for 19 years with soul superstar Isaac Hayes. Maximum enrollment: 8. Prerequisites: ability to sing/harmonize. Class text: mp3’s.

Saturdays 3:15 – 4:45 pm
BEN FLINT (10 weeks) $365

Art of the Duo

Vocalists have the opportunity to work one-on-one with world-class instrumentalists in the challenging and revealing duo format. Students learn to sing with more harmonic, melodic and rhythmic independence while also crafting arrangements applicable to the setting. Students should prepare several songs of their choice. Additional songs are provided by the instructor. Class concludes with an end-of-quarter performance. Maximum enrollment: 6.

Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
FRANK MARTIN (10 weeks) $365

Frank Martin has worked with Sting and Tuck and Patti.

The Art of Jazz Singing

There are many definitions of a “jazz singer,” from scat masters like Ella Fitzgerald to outside improvisers like Betty Carter, from balladeers like Andy Bey to contemporary stylists like Patricia Barber. What is your approach and how can you broaden your horizons? This class is for vocalists who have experience singing jazz and want to further deepen their style, repertoire, improvisational skills and expertise with a rhythm section. A pianist, bassist and drummer accompany singers. Come develop your strengths and strengthen your weaknesses in this challenging, supportive environment. Maximum enrollment: 6 students.

Prerequisites: four songs of various styles memorized, with corresponding charts. Telephone consultation with instructor required.

Thursdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
MAYE CAVALLARO  (10 weeks)  $385

Creative Jazz Singer

A performance class focusing on all aspects of jazz singing including building a repertoire, communicating with the rhythm section, phrasing, interpretation, improvisation, developing an authentic vocal sound and style, and microphone and performance techniques. Full rhythm section accompaniment provided.

Prerequisites: phone consultation or consent of instructor. Maximum enrollment: 6

Section I
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8 pm

Section II (Int. – Adv.)
Tuesdays 8:15 – 9:45pm

Section III (int. – adv.)
Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 pm

Section IV
Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm

LAURIE ANTONIOLI (10 weeks) $385

 world music

A Modern Approach to Singing Latin Standards

A class for intermediate to advanced-level vocalists interested in developing a repertoire of Latin American folk songs. Students sing lush boleros, cha-chas, guarachas, son, milongas, Argentinian zambas, and other Latin American classics performed by vocalists including Omara Portuondo, and Eliades Ochoa from the Buena Vista Social Club. Class focuses on phrasing, interpretation, melodic alternatives, lyrics, emotional and creative expression, as well as ensemble and individual singing. Trio accompaniment provided.

Prerequisites: consent of instructor. Maximum enrollment: 8.

Mondays 6:30 – 8 pm
MARIA MARQUEZ  (10 weeks)  $365

 young musicians

Vocal Jazz, Blues, Funk and R&B for Teens (ages 13 – 19)

A vocal class for teens focusing on jazz, blues, funk and R&B hits. Instructor provides music and playback CDs for both group and solo singing. Students sing in every class and have fun while expanding their repertoire. This class concludes with an end-of-quarter performance for the public showcasing each singer. Maximum enrollment: 10.

Wednesdays 4:30 – 6 pm
TRELAWNY ROSE (10 weeks) $365

Concert Preparation and Performance for Vocalists Concert Preparation and Performance for Vocalists includes the following: A concert in the Jazzschool Concert Series. A professional-quality live recording. A professional sound technician. 3 group lessons with Maye Cavallaro focusing on selecting repertoire, creating arrangements, selecting band personnel and developing artistic intention and image. Two supervised rehearsals with full band. A one-hour consultation/private vocal lesson. Ongoing communication with instructor via e-mail. Advertising and marketing in the Jazzschool catalog and media outlets used for Jazzschool performances. A mentor program designed to prepare the aspiring professional singer for a public performance. Three singers are chosen per quarter to participate in this individually customized course. Singers participate both in the classroom and privately with instructor. MAYE CAVALLARO Tuition: $650  Kitt Weagant Friday June 11 Angharad Jones Saturday, June 26   Audrey Martin Sunday, June 27 Maye Cavallaro, Instructor

ENSEMBLES

Several Jazzschool ensemble classes are open to both vocalists and instrumentalists. Please see the ensemble sections for more information.

Related workshops

Tune Up Your Performance

You’re on stage. Are you captivating? Inspiring? Creative? Fun? Memorable? Give your audience more than just songs and technique. Vocal artist Clairdee, shares elements that help you deliver great performances with confidence in auditions, showcases, recording sessions, concerts and videos. Learn how these elements keep your audience connected and engaged, creating moments that resonate with them long after the performance. Great shows lead to better gigs, exciting video performances, more CD sales and the best free marketing: word-of-mouth. This workshop is designed for both vocalists and instrumentalists.

Sunday April 11, Noon – 3 pm
CLAIRDEE $50

Clairdee is not only a lush and soulful vocalist, she is a woman committed to helping others reach their greatest potential. Her workshop was a dynamic favorite among our 1,100 attendees. —Paula D'Arcy, president, Red Bird Foundation, Austin, Texas

Swinging Circles Workshop with Louise
Robinson of Sweet Honey In The Rock
Louise Robinson, a founder and singer of Sweet Honey In The Rock, uses a swing tune to focus on lead and group singing, rhythm, individual style, characterization, unison, engaging the body in performance, and improvisation. Experience the fun in performing an arrangement created by the way you SWING!

Enrollment is limited to 60. Comfortable clothing and advance reservations are strongly
encouraged.

Friday April 23, 2 – 4 pm
Louise Robinson $20

VERTICAL VOICES — Singing the Music of Maria Schneider With Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison
ArtistShare Artists Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison have expanded the concept of overdubbing or multi-tracking voices to
perform music written for a big band. While Lambert, Hendricks and Ross were pioneers in the art with “Sing a Song of Basie” and Quincy Jones’ Double Six of Paris tackled a variety of orchestrations with the overdubbed six singers, Dollison and Marsh have recorded the music of Grammy-winner Maria Schneider with just their two voices. Rather than arrange the music to suit voices, they have expanded their vocal capabilities to perform the music as it was written for the instruments.

In this workshop, Dollison and Marsh perform this groundbreaking music live using a combination of electronics and live singing and playing. They also discuss the project itself and highlight some of the key challenges they had to overcome to bring it to fruition. They also address the ArtistShare experience from the artists’ perspective, shedding some light on the nature of the creative process in the current music scene, in which easily duplicable CDs and mp3 files have changed the industry, leading artists to find new ways of interacting with their listening audience. Don’t miss this unique presentation by two vocal musicians who are attempting to redefine the boundaries of vocal jazz.

For more information on Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison visit their websites: 
www.kerrymarsh.com and www.juliadollison.com

Sunday, June 6, Noon – 3 pm $50

The Experiential Voice
A workshop geared towards singers wanting to explore their personal style and vocal “ways of being.” If you are a singer and want to learn more about how you hear, create and think while you perform, compose or interact with other musicians then this is the workshop for you. Oakland native and jazz/soul vocalist Valerie Troutt will lead you through a tasty selection of fun interactive music exercises developed to encourage thoughts, improvisation, harmony and conversation. Bring a pencil and notebook.
Maximum enrollment: 8

Sunday June 13, Noon – 3 pm VALERIE TROUTT $50