Week 2 – Class Descriptions 2011

ENSEMBLES: JAZZ, BRAZILIAN and LATIN JAZZ –Ben-Hur, Wilson, Matta, A. O’Farrill

Jazz (Standards, Hard Bop & Beyond), Brazilian and Latin Jazz Ensembles meet daily, and are an integral part of our program. Students are placed in groups based on experience levels. Guided by faculty (Jazz – Ben Hur/Wilson), Brazilian (Matta), Latin Jazz (Arturo O’Farrill), you will be exploring and learning repertoire as you advance and refine both your ensemble skills overall and skills specific to each genre.

These morning sessions will focus on skills essential to working within a group (i.e., listening, use of dynamics, role of each instrument, rhythmic flow, intro’s & endings, arranging, etc.) As important, ensembles will provide an opportunity to execute what you already know, apply skills and understandings from afternoon classes, and of course, to just have FUN!

Each ensemble will perform at the culminating student concert.

JAZZ IMPROVISATION & HARMONY — Roni Ben-Hur, Steve Wilson

Providing a comprehensive and systematic approaches, master educators Roni Ben-Hur and Steve Wilson will guide students in an in-depth look at the harmonic structure of jazz standards with emphasis on applications for improvisation. Melodic ideas based on the vocabulary of jazz giants will be explored, analyzed and adopted. Like all else in jazz, rhythm and the ability to incorporate the blues will be emphasized.

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BRAZILIAN AND AFRO-CUBAN MUSICAL STYLES & RHYTHMS – Nilson Matta and Arturo O’Farrilll

These two musicians, giants in their genres, will explore the history, rhythms, phrasing and articulation characteristic of these lush genres in the context of selected repertoire. Students will play these on percussion instruments, as well as on their own instruments.

INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES Ben-Hur, Matta, A. O’Farrill, Wilson, Z.O’Farrill

Students will have an opportunity to hone their skills in the context of master classes,and clinics. In addition to this, students seeking to work privately with faculty can arrange this once at camp, for an additional fee (TBD) payable to Samba Meets Jazz Workshops.