"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! |
Michael Garrick, course director, says : "When I came home from my first week teaching on a one-off all-music course I automatically switched on the radio, something I'd not had cause to do for the whole action-packed week. Lurid, awful news invaded my ears. I realised with a jolt how inspiring life can really be with other human beings who love and share something greater than themselves and by contrast how normally we are fighting off so much that brings us down, all that we're subjected to by media which seems obliged to report every ghastly detail. Our aim with Jazz Academy is to send everyone away feeling better - much better! They've been in touch with something real." |
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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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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 will take place from 12-15 April 2010 at Beechwood. 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 runs from 22-28 August 2010 (dates to be confirmed).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 2010). 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.
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| 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 brochure for Piano People is now available. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE 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.
Registration (Summer Jazz)The Summer Jazz 2010 brochure will be available later this year. Enquiries welcome on 01442 864989. For reference, click HERE to download the brochure for the past course.
Registration (Winter Jazz)The course brochure for Winter Jazz 2010 will be available later this year. For reference, click HERE to download the brochure for the past course. |
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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 © 1997-2010 Charles Brereton & Michael Garrick
All Rights Reserved.
Last update: 3rd February 2010