SUMMER SESSIONS
JUNE 3 – July 18, 2024
Immerse yourself in the music of Jazz’s iconic composers born in the Roaring ‘20s! Weekly small instrumental ensembles focus on the improvised language they used to create their unique sound, still relevant a century later.
- 6 weeks @ JAZZ HOUSE Montclair
- Weekly small ensembles, vocal + electives
- Ages 12 through adult; all levels welcome
- Final performance: Thu, July 18
Ensembles
Immerse yourself in the music of jazz’s iconic composers! Weekly small instrumental ensembles focus on the improvised language they used to create their unique sound.
Monday ENSEMBLES
LOUIS ARMSTRONG ENSEMBLE (Beginner)
MUSIC OF DUKE ELLINGTON
Mondays: 5:30 – 7:00 pm | Instructor: Pat Gannon
Take the A Train to the JAZZ HOUSE to play the quintessential music of “Sir Duke,” influential American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.
BLUES & ROOTS (Intermediate)
MUSIC OF THELONIOUS MONK
Mondays: 5:30 – 7:15 pm | Instructor: Brandon McCune
One of the most prolific composers in the history of jazz, pianist Thelonious Monk’s music was known for its humorous, almost playful, quality. Many of his works have become today’s most beloved jazz standards.
ORGAN MESSENGERS (Intermediate)
MUSIC OF MARY LOU WILLIAMS
Mondays: 5:30 – 7:15 pm | Instructor: Radam Schwartz
One of the greatest jazz pianists, composers, and arrangers of all time, Mary Lou Williams was a swing and bebop icon. “The Lady Who Swings the Band” also devoted herself to aiding musicians in need and teaching younger generations about jazz’s rich African-American heritage.
AMBASSADORS 1 & 2 (Advanced)
MUSIC OF BUD POWELL
Tuesday: 5:30 – 7:15 pm | Instructor: Bruce Williams
A pianist and composer who emerged in the mid-1940s, Bud Powell was one of the first to play lines originally conceived by bebop horn players. Using his lightning fast right hand, he expressed on the piano what was only before possible on a horn.
AFRO-LATIN JAZZ BAND (Intermediate – Advanced)
MUSIC OF DIZZY GILLESPIE – DIZZY ATMOSPHERE
Tuesday: 7:30 – 9:30 pm | Instructor: Oscar Perez
Take a deep dive into the music of one of the fathers of Latin Jazz. Along with his earliest collaborators, Chano Pozo and Maurio Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie pioneered the exciting fusion of BeBop with the music of Latin America.
ELECTIVES
Power up your skill set with electives in composition, improv, rhythm section workout, and the Jazz House Vocal Ensemble.
IMPROVISATION
Wednesdays: 5:30 – 7:30 pm | ALL LEVELS
Learn the skills you need to be a more fluid speaker of the Be-Bop Language. Become more confident at the jam session as well as taking solos in your band.
RHYTHM SECTION WORKOUT
Wednesdays: 5:30 – 7:00 pm | ALL LEVELS
Explore the intricacies of the jazz rhythm section from a variety of different eras, styles, and iconic bands. This is a not to miss chance to deepen your understanding of the important nuances every rhythm section player needs to succeed.
VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 9:00 pm | ALL LEVELS
Calling all singers and instrumentalists who love to sing! Learn vocal technique, theory and repertoire development with a repertoire that celebrates some of the most influential and lauded jazz vocalists of all time.
COMPOSER’S WORKSHOP
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 9:00 pm | ALL LEVELS
Get started on your own creative path now by unlocking your true artistic voice through composition. The session will end with a recording of your new music!
Register Now!
TUITION
- Registration Fee: $25
- ONE CLASS: $350
- TWO CLASSES: $600
- THREE OR MORE: $750
- Need-based tuition assistance is available. Please fill out this application with your registration
- Ages 12-18. Students outside the range should inquire directly.
IMPORTANT DATES
- June 1: Registration deadline,
Tuition assistance application + video audition placement deadlines
STUDENT PLACEMENTS:
All students from beginner to advanced ages 12- 18 are welcome! Students outside of age range will be accommodated based on experience level.
New or returning students are asked to prepare and submit video auditions for placement in the appropriate level class. Audition guidelines and materials can be found on the Audition Process page on our website. The same audition will be used for Fall 2024 classes.
Please note that final ensemble placements are at the discretion of the Director, considering instrumentation needs and student level. Students are welcome to register for multiple ensembles if instrumentation allows.
QUESTIONS?
Call us at 973-744-2273 or email via studentservices@jazzhousekids.org
We thank our 2024 Summer Sessions Supporters
The ASCAP Foundation, Conn-Selmer, Inc., Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Ludwig Drums, McDonald’s of Paterson and the Adderley Management Company Inc.,
ShopRite of Newark, and Steinway & Sons, with additional support from TD Charitable Foundation, New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.