Outreach

Jazz music has been embraced throughout the world as a truly American art form and has been declared a “national treasure” by the U.S. Congress (1987). America has produced a caliber of musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, and New York City has always been the hotbed of jazz music.

The New York Jazz Workshop, located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, is dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation, awareness and understanding of this rich, beautiful and ever-evolving American art form. Jazz has been loved all over the globe for its dynamic, expressive and unifying qualities which connects with all cultures and strata of society.

Through innovative and inspiring programs, the New York Jazz Workshop collaborates with conservatories, music schools, universities, non-profit organizations, corporations and cultural institutions to bring jazz to their communities.

What we offer:
– Workshops for conservatories, music schools, universities and cultural institutions.
– Consultations. Our staff is professional and supportive, and we will develop a program with your goals in mind.
– A stellar faculty associated with all the prominent universities in the New York City area, including NYU, the New School, MSM, Columbia University and the Lincoln Center Jazz program.
– World class musicians that can perform as a band.
– Hands-on workshops and theme specific master classes.
– Flexible hours and days.
– The option to have both active participants and observers.
– A faculty balanced with the number of active participants at an available budget.
– Support in registration logistics and audition procedures.

One to Five-Day Multi-Topic Program

“Unique and Dynamic”

Conceived as an enhanced version of our New York Summer Program, this series of workshops consists of a combination of interactive sessions and topic specific master classes. An overview will be presented of all the basic elements in modern day improvisation and composition. Some of the topics included are: ear training, development of a rhythmic language, composition, repertoire, and defining the layers of interaction on the bandstand. In between the ensemble workouts we present topic specific workshops such as:
– Instrumental (guitar, woodwinds, brass, piano)
– Vocal (sound production, interpretation, repertoire)
– Improvisation
– Composition
– Rhythm
– Career development
The structure of this program is unique in that we use fixed and floating faculty members. Each workshop has a maximum of ten active participants with a dedicated faculty member. The floating faculty members move from one workshop to the next in segments. This gives all students the opportunity to interact with a professional rhythm-section.Integral to the structure, are opportunities for students to interact with other workshops. We pair workshops on selected topics with the goal of giving students a well-rounded experience with constant fluctuating challenges. This dynamic setup guarantees that students will work within an inspiring and stimulating environment. The program is usually rounded off with informal student and faculty performances which celebrate the whole experience by letting the sounds and colors flow.

Improvisation workshop (school trips, visiting NYC)

“Jazz and Improvisation”

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– Interactive workshops focusing on the basic elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm and form.
– An optional session focusing on the relationship between jazz and other musical and non-musical art forms in the context of American history.
– Flexible hours. Typically each session is an hour to an hour and a half.

Jazz Appreciation (open to musicians and non musicians)

“Jazz History” and “Fundamentals in music”

The “Jazz History” introductory course lectures provide an overview of jazz; its history, and the ways it has influenced the American ‘story.’ We actively engage students in analyzing the social and cultural settings that contributed the evolution of jazz. We take a close look at how jazz artists emerged out of the fabric of the realities of their socio-economic status and how they reinforced freedom of expression and the power of interaction through improvisation and collaboration.Optional courses:
-Jazz History from 1900 – 1960
-Jazz History from 1960 – present time
-Vocal Jazz History
-Giants in Jazz
-The Big Band tradition
-Contemporary Jazz and its connection to the world
-Jazz and other art forms (painting, dance, writing etc); how they interactThe “Fundamentals in Music” seminar emphasizes the basic elements of music and how to listen to jazz. This fun and exploratory session sharpens listening skills, and will enhance personal understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of jazz among students. Special attention will be given to the basic principles that shape music: melody, harmony, rhythm and form.- A journey through jazz history starting in New Orleans in 1900 up to present time, from Louis Armstrong to our current heroes.- A focus on how the development and evolution of jazz is a reflection of the American culture.- Guided listening sessions in two parts: 1900 – 1960 and 1960 – 2015.
– Interactive workshops focusing on the basic elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm and form.
– An optional session focusing on the relationship between jazz and other musical and non-musical art forms in the context of American history.
– Flexible hours. Typically each session is an hour to an hour and a half.

CLINICS: THE BAND

“New York Jazz Workshop Collective – LIVE.”

This incredible band will demonstrate the inner workings of a band in action, and will emphasize elements essential in making the music flow. This workshop is highly personal. All members of the band will share their expertise with the audience and they will engage the students into dialogue. A correlation will be made between standard repertoire and original compositions, the connection between composition and improvisation, the function of each instrument in relation to other instruments and the importance of understanding all the different layers of communication in an ensemble.This band is a powerhouse with professionals that tour the world, are highly respected in the U.S. jazz scene and have an impressive collective experience. Students may join us on the bandstand from time to time. It will be an amazing and memorable experience.

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Corporate “Team Building” Music Workshops

“Get inspired by our top notch faculty through musical creativity.”

Get inspired by our top notch faculty through musical creativity. Participants will be challenged by exploring unexpected situations. Their imagination will be stimulated by creating sounds, and individual and collective expression will be encouraged. The goal will be to complete a finished composition.The culture of listening stands at the center of this fun and engaging process. Communication and fine-tuned sensitivity to all the players involved are elevated to a true art on the bandstand with spectacular results. The focus on communication is balanced with enhanced concentration and a relaxed environment. Active collaboration, problem solving and finding one’s voice as part of a team are themes that are relevant both in a musical ensemble and in the corporate world. Artists are everywhere, and we are determined to let your creativity loose.The Journey: (no musical ability required) The workshop will start off with a guided listening session where connections are made between basic elements in music and the corporate environment. The formal and informal interaction on the bandstand will be studied and translated into basic corporate terminology.
This will be followed up by making sounds, relaxing our bodies and vocal chords under the expert guidance of one of our vocal specialists. Don’t worry, experience is not required!The third session will begin by working on a composition through the exploration of rhythms, bass lines, melody and harmony. Working together participants will shape the composition. Students and teachers will notate newly found ideas, and the end result will be a brand new composition built by the whole team.Further details of this energetic fast paced and creative program can be discussed and customized for each client. Our staff will pay close attention to the character, culture, image and goals of the company and a refined plan will be formulated to ensure a fantastic, positive and uplifting experience.The benefits:
– Emphasis on the individual talents within the context of active collaboration.
– Heightened awareness of your team partners.
– Focus on more listening and less talking.
– Problem solving.
– Cultivating a relaxed and enhanced concentration level.
– Stress reduction.Some elements that will be highlighted within and beyond the musical context are:
– Leadership and initiative.
– Flexibility to adjust to new circumstances and opportunities.
– Understanding the power and limits of structure.
– Different forms of communications, verbal non-verbal, small groups versus large groups, environment, etc.
– Improvisation and its merits.
– Functional outline; clarity brings strength and transparency which is conducive to creativity (speeds up ability to act on opportunities).
– Freedom through knowledge, theory and experience.
– Individual expression and collective cooperation.New York Jazz Workshop offers the possibility to have the composition fine-tuned by our experts, and recorded by our All Star Faculty band in a top-notch recording studio in New York City. This CD can be used just for the office, or mass-produced into a company, organization or event theme song. You will have the right to use this tool however you choose.To get inspired here are some of the suggested recording packages:
a) Interactive music workshop – from improvisation to composition.
b) Interactive music workshop + fine tuning of composition + performance by All Star Faculty band + low-grade recording/video.
c) Interactive music workshop + fine tuning of composition + performance by All Star Faculty band + professional audio recording in studio.
d) Interactive music workshop + fine tuning of composition + performance by All Star Faculty band + professional audio and video recording in studio

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