Jazzalongaweekend

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davhudson

davhudson

Member
Messages
175
Location
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
I got back home from this early on Sunday evening and am just about recovering from the culture shock and shear metal exhaustion!!!

There were some terrific players - one young man in particular stood out - Nick the son of fellow Breakfastroom member cwillsher who blew everyone away with his rendition of various Charlie Parker numbers. Colin was pretty good himself, but definitely second best compared to young Nick!!!

There was a lot crammed into a day and a half course and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to play jazz with lost of other people. I believe there will be a re-run next year. I will post to the forum when I get some dates for this.
 
cwillsher

cwillsher

Member
Messages
126
Location
Southampton, UK
Good to see you there David and I hope you were able to take something out of the weekend. It's certainly given me another boost to practice harder and try to close the gap on my little nemesis (I mean that in the nicest, most fatherly sort of way! Grrrr!).

For any that are remotely interested, Nick was the only youngster there, which was a little sad as I know there are a lot of fine young musicians in the local area - it would have been good to see a few more young faces around the place.

Just a word for one of the tutors on the course - Mark Bassey (Ex.NYJO Trombonist and educator at the Trinity College of Music). The man was a revelation and an inspiration. A great player who is blessed with the knowledge, personality, people skills and dry wit to get things across in such a way that no-one feels out of their depth. Always encouraging and motivating on an individual, as well as a group level, it was just a joy to experience his workshops. If you ever get the chance to do this or see him play live, I would highly recommend you don't miss it!
 
half diminished

half diminished

Senior Member
Messages
1,361
Location
Buckinghamshire
cwillsher said:
Just a word for one of the tutors on the course - Mark Bassey (Ex.NYJO Trombonist and educator at the Trinity College of Music). The man was a revelation and an inspiration. A great player who is blessed with the knowledge, personality, people skills and dry wit to get things across in such a way that no-one feels out of their depth. Always encouraging and motivating on an individual, as well as a group level, it was just a joy to experience his workshops. If you ever get the chance to do this or see him play live, I would highly recommend you don't miss it!
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Seconded! I met Mark at the Jazzwise course last summer. A fantastic guy and a definite inspiration. We had a big band session that Mark arranged the music for - by hand! Considering his disability that was an absolute triumph. He is as you say a phenomenal bass trombone player too.

I did speak to the 'arranger' at the Stables (for their Jazz Matters weekly session) to get him along.
 
half diminished

half diminished

Senior Member
Messages
1,361
Location
Buckinghamshire
davhudson said:
He is due to play one of the Sunday Lunchtime "Jazz Matters" sessions later this year. He also appeared there earlier this year - there are some pictures on his website at Mark Bassey at The Stables
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Brilliant! I turned up to a Jazz Matters session in October last year 'on-time' according to the website but in reality 1 hour early! So with some time to kill I was mooching about and met a couple of people (staff), we got chatting and I suggested Mark for a Sunday session. They did know of him and thought it was a great idea. I do check the site regularly but often have my sax lesson with Karen on a Sunday late morning/lunchtime so it's hard for me to fit this in.

Would love to see Mark again. He was the most inspirational tutor on the course - closely followed by Steve Davis, though there were no poor tutors at all.

Also met Antonio Hart another tutor. You alto sax players should check this guy out - he is fantastic.
 
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