"There is more to jazz than meets the ear!"
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Established in 1989, Jazz Academy takes place at Beechwood Campus in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The venue is in a beautiful setting with unlimited parking, residential accommodation with onsite catering and licensed bars. But that's not all! |
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Enthusiasm Your only qualifications need to be a real curiosity, an ability to play or sing (in your own judgement) with reasonable facility and above all, an enthusiasm for sharing and learning with an open mind. Environment We look forward to welcoming back (as often happens) previous students and making way for lots of new ones. Our environments are chosen for their friendliness, good catering, greenery, swimming pools and ample, free parking. |
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Quotes:
"Jazz Academy is a different world. Fantastic!"
"Great value for money"
"It did me a power of good"
"A revelation...my first real insight into jazz"
"I learned a hell of a lot"
"It's given me a good firm kick up the butt!"
"I've been on lots of Jazz courses - Jazz Academy was the
first one where I really learned something"
"It's better than a fortnight in the West Indies!"
- Quotes like these from former students echo our general aim
- a great deal of fun plus a feast of good music. See
below for an unsolicited testimonial from a student who attended the summer course. |
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Timetable A typical day's timetable for all three courses
starts shortly after 9am and runs throughout 5 periods till 5.30pm. It includes:
The Jazz examination syllabus from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music can also be studied by those who may be interested. |
Specific details for the courses are given below:
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Winter Jazz
What happens between Xmas and New Year, apart from more eating, more
drinking and more insufferable relatives?! (If you really want to stay
together though, bring them along at the reduced friends and relations
rate). WINTER JAZZ is the answer - an oasis of cool excitement for all
instrumentalists and vocalists at Beechwood between Chrismas
& New Year (27-30 December).
Piano People Here the
focus is on piano and rhythm section work, all instrumentalists and
singers who wish to improve their keyboard skills are welcome. The next Piano
People takes place during Spring 2009.
Summer Jazz In late Summer, the Jazz Academy
Summer Course is for all instrumentalists and vocalists. A wide variety of people
and instruments makes this a most enjoyable musical experience for anyone who is
interested in learning more about jazz. The next Summer course is late August 2009.
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Please note that both the Christmas and Summer courses follow more or less the same format, the main difference being the length of each course. Piano People is structured differently as the emphasis is on piano/keyboard/rhythm section skills. |
| Evening Jazz Club Our jazz club runs from 7.30pm to 10.30pm; time slots are freely bookable as are tutors to play or sing with. You can be sure of a warm and positive reception regardless of ability or performing experience. Friends, family and jazz fans are welcomed to a swinging scene and a fully licensed bar. |
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The course brochure for Winter Jazz 2008 is now available. You can
download it
here.
Please check that you have enabled popup windows for this site or
the download will not work! Early registration is advised. If you are unable
to download the brochure please telephone the numbers below.
The brochures for Piano People 2009 & Summer Jazz 2009 will be available soon.
Enquiries welcome on 01892 541464 or 01442 864989.
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Course founder Michael Garrick is one of the UK's leading jazz
educators. Formerly Professor of Jazz Piano at the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music and John Dankworth's Wavendon Allmusic Plan, he's led his own groups since the '60s (presently a trio, quartet and jazz orchestra) and has approaching 1000 compositions in his catalogue. Click here for details of Jazz Academy records featuring Michael Garrick and his various groups. |
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Written by Charles Brereton and published on behalf of Jazz Academy.
Text copyright © 1997-2008 Charles Brereton & Michael Garrick
All Rights Reserved.
Last update: 14th September 2008