Learn to tame the piano with the piano and keyboard intensive feat. Amina Figarova, Jacob Sacks and Jim Ridl 8/29-31, 2022
Piano and keyboard are some of the most popular instruments in music. They offer players diverse methods of expression, from the striking harmonies of Debussy, Ravel, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock, to the percussive fury of McCoy Tyner, Cecil Taylor or Don Pullen. The piano functions as both a melodic, harmonic and rhythmic instrument. Keyboards and synthesizers offer infinite palettes of expression and creativity. The intensives at the New York Jazz Workshop are unique and important because students, whether professional or for personal enrichment, can learn in a fun and encouraging environment. Students who take this course will have their strengths praised and weaknesses honed to become strengths with the world class talents of Amina Figarova, Jacob Sacks and Jim Ridl at the helm from August 29-31, 2022.
The fascinating and diverse topics in this course include the history of classical piano, sound, improvisation, the subtle and nuanced art of comping, and duo playing where the ability to listen to each other and musically complement is crucial; among other topics. What also makes this intensive a can’t miss opportunity is the ease in which access to New York Jazz Workshop can be had from the newly renovated Penn station and subway stops are located right near the school. Moreover this intensive will give participants the tools needed to be a potent ingredient in all forms of music, not just jazz, but classical, R&B and pop. Jazz in many ways is the supreme art form because it absorbs all types of music while maintaining its distinct identity.
The New York Jazz Workshop holds intensives and workshops for musicians of all levels in boroughs including Manhattan, Brooklyn and Europe. Intensive details below.
Topics:
-Ear training
-Technique
-Sound
-Improvisation
-Reading
-Comping
-Solo piano
-Duo piano
-Classical piano history
-Jazz and Latin-Jazz styles
-Piano and performance wisdom’s
-Listening and the listening list
and much more…..
Dates: Aug 29 – 30 – 31
Prerequisites:
-Instructors may ask for a recorded sample before admission
-At least 17 years of age
-Some of our intensives are better suited to intermediate and advanced musicians with a minimum of a few years on their instrument; other summer intensives, such as the beginner vocal and choir, are open to everyone. More details can be discussed during registration.
About the Faculty
Amina Figarova- Amina Figarova, the globe-trotting Azerbaijan-born, Rotterdam-based composer-pianist-bandleader with more than a dozen recordings to her credit has created a new album of original songs that refresh the classic post-bop idiom established by labels such as Blue Note, Prestige and Impulse! during the 1950s and 1960s. Far from derivative or concept-conscious, though, her music unfolds as a personal, vividly colored, confidently-propelled contemporary soundtrack, satisfying in and of itself. Read more
Jim Ridl- Jim Ridl is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and teacher residing in the New York City area. He performs internationally with the Jim Ridl Trio and Quartet, the Dave Liebman Big Band, the Mingus Big Band, Ximo Tebar’s IVAM Jazz Ensemble of Spain, and the Tim Horner Quintet. Jim’s sixth CD, Jim Ridl’s Blue Corn Enchilada Dreams, features the outstanding soloists Terell Stafford, Donald Edwards, and John Benitez in an inspired quartet setting. Jim has 5 previously released recordings: Your Cheatin’ Heart and Other Works on the Dreambox Media Label; Door In a Field (DBM); Jim Ridl Trio/Live (DBM); Blues Liberations – Solo Piano (DBM); and Five Minutes to Madness and Joy (Synergy Music). Jim’s tenure with jazz guitar legend Pat Martino received many critically acclaimed reviews of performances around the world and produced 3 outstanding recordings: Interchange, Night Wings and The Maker. Additionally, Jim has performed and/or recorded with Randy Brecker, Marc Johnson, James Moody, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Mickey Roker, Billy Hart, Mark Murphy, Ravi Coltrane, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Bill Stewart, Denis DiBlasio, Rich Matteson, Marko Marcinko, Tim Horner, Ralph Bowen, Donny McCaslin, Mark Walker, Michael Pedicin, Jean Michel Pilc, Dick and Ted Nash, Ari Hoenig, Jimmy Bruno, Tim Warfield, Terrell Stafford, Vic Juris, Paul Nash, Carla Cook, Francois Moutin, Bruce Williamson, Matt Wilson, Sherman Ferguson, Tyrone Brown,…Read more
Jacob Sacks- Jacob Sacks is one of the most creative pianists on the NYC jazz scene today. His strong individual voice has been heard in a variety of settings ranging from the mainstream jazz traditions of the Mingus Big Band and Orchestra to the open approach of the Paul Motian Septet to the vamp based fusion of David Binney’s Balance. Jacob was a finalist in the 1999 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. In the last 12 years, Jacob has been a member of many different ensembles, recorded several albums, and has toured the United States, Europe, and Canada several times. He has performed with musicians such as Clark Terry, Joe Maneri, Terumasa Hino, Charles Gayle, Eddie Henderson, Christian McBride, Brian Blade, Tony Malaby, Jacob Garchik, Ben Gerstein, Ohad Talmor, Chris Potter, Mark Turner, Ben Monder, Adam Rogers, Kenny Wollesen, Gene Jackson, and Matt Wilson. Read more
General Information
For more info regarding our summer program, housing, travel, and more, visit our Summer Workshop General Information page. For a more in-depth experience, inquire about adding a private lesson with someone from the NYJW Faculty during your visit. Learn more about how you can combine Summer Intensives to create a customized Summer Jazz Packages. Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] with any additional questions.
What to expect:
When you join us for one or more of our intensives, you can expect to become a member of our tightly knit community. There will be musicians from all over the world looking to learn, explore and make connections. You will be making connections that last a lifetime. A typical day will be as follows:
11:00am – 1:00pm: Morning Sessions
1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch Break
2:00pm – 5:00pm: Afternoon Sessions
Evenings: Free
Student will normally organize small groups or go check out some concerts. See “Fun Evening Activities” in the General Information page for more details. There will be opportunities for every student to perform outside of the school, more details coming up soon.