NJW September Classes

Nashville Jazz Workshop is offering a combination of 3-week, 6-week and 1-day master classes. All course times are listed in central time zone (CDT).

Vocal Faculty: Lori Mechem and Joe Freel.
Instrumental Faculty: David Rodgers, Roger Spencer, Liz Johnson, and Andy Reiss.

They are also offering listening classes for all music enthusiasts – no experience necessary. Courses vary in length.

Online classes begin August 31st.

REGISTER FOR ONLINE CLASSES HERE!

Listening Classes

Class is for all music enthusiasts – no experience necessary

Jazz Guitarists of the 1960’s with Andy Reiss
Wednesdays 6pm-7pm (6wk), $100
Study the styles and work of six prominent jazz guitarists in the 1960s. Discuss the unique and beautiful styles of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Barney Kessel, Howard Roberts and Joe Pass. You’ll dive deep into what made them unique, and into their commonality. 

The Women of Song with Dara Tucker
Thursdays 6pm-7pm (6wk), $100
Explore, in depth, the music and lives of some of the great women in jazz –  recording, styles, and what makes them great jazz artists. Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, Anita O’Day, Nancy Wilson, Nina Simone, Lalah Hathaway, Lizz Wright, and more.

Instrumental Classes

Contemporary Jazz Piano Harmony with David Rodgers
Mondays 7pm-8pm (6wk) $125
Focus on 6 of the most influential jazz pianists today – Robert Glasper, Brad Mehldau, Cory Henry, Fred Hersch, Herbie Hancock and Jacob Collier. You’ll break down transcriptions and listening to help you unpack concrete harmonic approaches and techniques in playing, writing and arranging.

Singing for Instrumentalists with Liz Johnson
Thursdays 6pm-8pm (6wk) $250
For all instrumentalists who want to learn something about their voice.  Even if you NEVER plan to sing in public, learning how to vocalize helps with every aspect of playing. You will work on fundamental sounds that may not seem related to “singing,” but get the voice working and teach the body to make great sound. Think of this class as a vocal acoustic experiment!

Theory/Improv

Jazz Theory 2 with Roger Spencer
Tuesdays 6pm-7pm (6wk) $125
A continuation of Jazz Theory 1. Emphasis on chord substitutions, hearing and reading basic rhythm patterns, song analyzation including form, key centers and chord functions.

Jazz Improvisational Patterns with Roger Spencer
Tuesdays 7:30pm-8:30pm (6wk) $125
Learning and applying jazz improvisational patterns to standard repertoire. Intermediate to Advanced Level.
A class studying and applying melodic and rhythmic patterns over common sets of chord changes and standard repertoire. Students will learn 2 and 4 bar patterns in major and minor keys.

Vocal Classes

Vocal Literature: Duke Ellington with Lori Mechem
Mondays 6pm-8pm, or Wednesdays 7pm-9pm (6wk) $250 
Focus on melody, phrasing, lyric content, stylistic considerations, arrangements, performance techniques, and song forms that apply to Ellington’s music.

How to Build Your Repertoire with Lori Mechem
Tuesdays 6pm-8pm (3wk) $125, 9/1, 8, and 15 
How do you know which songs are good for you? Are their styles that are lacking in your book? Do you have “CLEAN” charts with intros and endings? Do you know how to count off your tunes? These are very good questions to ask yourself as you prepare for gigs.  In this class, we will work on organizing your book and getting it in the proper order, developing sets that have a nice flow, making sure you have varied styles, keys and tempos and most of all……GOOD READABLE CHARTS with intros and endings. No matter where you are in your musical journey, this is a great class to boost you to the next level of professionalism.

Introduction to Jazz Singing with Joe Freel
Tuesdays 7pm-9pm (3wk) $125, 9/22, 29, and 10/6
Have you ever wanted to learn to sing jazz standards? Now’s your chance! Students will learn songs with emphasis on correct melodies, groove, jazz phrasing and lyric interpretation. Students will be provided recorded tracks to sing with in male and female keys.

Source: Nashville Jazz Workshop