International performer's new jazz course

11th June 2009 12:57pm - Return to press releases

International jazz performer Martin Jones is starting up a new Access to Music Diploma course at East Riding College for jazz musicians who want to launch a career in the industry.
Martin, an acknowledged expert in relaxed vocal and trumpet techniques in jazz, has developed a course which teaches students essential skills for performing the genre.
The two-year course will give students a comprehensive understanding of jazz improvising, composing and arranging, instrumental skills and contextualising jazz styles.
The course will take place at the Access to Music studios at East Riding College's Hull site where it will run alongside the current Performing Musician course, taking advantage of state-of-the-art facilities which include a modern recording studio and band rehearsal studios.
During the course, students will be guided through a process which could result in them becoming a working jazz musician or enrolling on the Leeds College of Music Jazz Degree.
The course will be delivered by professional jazz musicians and educators within the region with the emphasis on being inspirational and supportive.
Martin has also set up a mentoring scheme which will allow students to link up with important figures in the local and regional jazz scene.

Martin, who already lectures on further education music courses at East Riding College's Hull site, said: "This course is a really exciting development in music courses in the region.
"It's an opportunity for musicians to build on their love of jazz by learning those special techniques and abilities that make a great jazz performer.
"I'm looking forward to welcoming our first group of students in September and passing on the things I've learnt in 30 years on the jazz scene."

Martin added: "Our real aim is to take students who have some skill on their instrument and listen to jazz, and give them the ability to play the chord changes in improvisation as well as looking at jazz standards such as I've Got Rhythm, All the Things You Are and All Blues.
"We will link stylistic understanding of jazz sub-genres with expressive instrumental techniques such as 'growls', note bending and alternate fingering for the high range notes."

In the run up to the launch of the new jazz course and as part of the Hull International Jazz Festival, East Riding College will be holding a jazz summer school at its Hull site from August 25 to 27.
The summer school will include tuition on performing, band rehearsal skills, jazz composition, contextualising jazz styles, a masterclass from one of the top performers at the festival and a performance for all students at the new Hull Truck Theatre as part of the Hull International Jazz Festival.

It will cost £50 full price or £25 for concessions (unwaged). For more information or to reserve a place, call Martin Jones at the college on 01482 382506 or email him at martin.jones@east riding College.ac.uk

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Notes to editors

For more information on this press release, call Matthew Croshaw, marketing and communications manager, on 01482 306612 or email [email protected]

Martin Jones min biog:

Martin Jones was born in Hull in 1955 and started working commercially in the jazz field in the late seventies. By 1982, he was working professionally on trumpet and vocals on the club circuit and the theatre circuit in cabaret.

After residencies in the Latin Quarter in Paris and in London, eventually Martin returned to play with international cabaret group The English Eccentric Ragtime Four. With this group he had a residency in London's Mayfair and recorded, broadcasted and toured, as well as working for New York Network Television.

In 1987 he left the band to tour Europe, he then worked doing broadcasts on several TV shows including The Bobby Davro Show and the Val Doonican Show. He then eventually left London and returned to his roots back in Hull.

He soon got work with a regional band called The Casablanca Boys which was a function band playing all types of gigs and music.

He left this band four years later to form six of his own bands and worked as far as the Hilton Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

In 2000 he joined the tutor body of East Riding College's music department.

Martin has become an acknowledged expert in relaxed vocal and trumpet techniques. He now plays nationally and internationally within the jazz field, has played in many jazz festivals and has performed with the likes of Kenny Wheeler and Andy Shepherd.