Lewis Nash & Others Lead The Nash Summer Workshops

Jazz musicians, students and enthusiasts are invited to hang out at The Nash this summer, jam with other students, learn new techniques, or try out different styles of jazz. From bop to brass, guitar to vocals, the popular jazz club will be buzzing as musicians work with instructors in a wide range of classes and workshops. The first session begins May 22, with a variety of workshops held throughout the summer.

Just announced: The Nash namesake and renowned jazz drummer Lewis Nash will lead an advanced percussion workshop June 5 - 8. Registration is now open, musicians of all skill levels and ages are welcome.

For more information visit www.thenash.org or call 602-795-0464.

Weeklong Workshops Hard Bop Workshop Monday-Thursday, May 22-25 9am-12pm Final concert on Thursday May 25 at 7:30pm Instructor: Matt Williams $150 Explores Hard Bop Jazz literature made popular by artists such as Clifford Brown, Art Blakey, Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Benny Golson, and more. Under the direction of pianist and vibraphonist Matt Williams, the Hard Bop Workshop offers an enriching jazz experience for musicians of all ages and experience levels wishing to explore improvisation, arranging techniques, & ensemble performance beyond the Great American Songbook. With the exception of pianists and drummers, all participants will bring their instruments. Intended for all ages and skill levels, some experience is preferred.

Jazz Guitar Bootcamp Workshop Tuesday-Thursday, May 30-June 1 9am-12pm Instructor: Jeff Libman $90 This three-day workshop with ASU Jazz Guitar instructor Dr. Jeff Libman will feature instruction in scales, chords, improvisation, technique, approaches to repertoire, essential recordings, and more. Intended for beginning to intermediate players. Bring your guitar and your amp as well if possible.

Developing a Personal Style Workshop Tuesday-Thursday, May 30-June 1 1pm-4pm Instructor: Mary Petrich, John Meier, Keith Kelly $90 There are many paths one can take to cultivate a personal style. If "sounding like yourself" is the goal, what methods of practicing and working on music can be most beneficial? Come learn how one can develop an approach to music and practicing that is rooted in tradition, but maintains a focus on developing a unique style/sound. Intended for intermediate to advanced skill levels.

Trad Jazz Workshop Monday-Thursday, June 5-June 8 9am-12pm Final concert on Thursday June 8 at 7:30pm Instructor: Gabe Hall-Rodrigues & Zach Wiggins
$150 Working in small and large group settings, the Trad Jazz Workshop focuses on music from the New Orleans tradition made popular by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and Bix Beiderbecke. Under the direction of Gabe Hall-Rodriguez and Zach Wiggins, the Trad Jazz Workshop provides a fun and exciting entry point for the exploration of the improvisatory arts. Open to all ages and experience levels.

Advanced Rhythm Section Techniques with Lewis Nash Monday-Thursday, June 5-8 1pm-4pm Instructor: Lewis Nash $150 Join master jazz drummer Lewis Nash and delve into jazz rhythm section playing. Students will explore diverse rhythm section styles, jazz rhythm section interaction, playing in the "pocket," supporting soloists, and other considerations for high-level, artistic rhythm section performance. Nash will demonstrate various concepts and share carefully curated listening examples of master jazz rhythm sections. Intermediate to advanced rhythm section instrumentalist's welcome. Be ready to play!

Vocal Jazz Workshop Monday-Thursday, June 12-15 9am-12pm Final concert on Thursday June 15 at 7:30pm Instructor: Greg Amerind $150 Instructed by Dr. Greg Amerind, the Vocal Jazz Workshop will focus on the vocalist's role in a jazz ensemble. Through performance, vocalists and instrumentalists will explore the basics of what to listen for when performing with an ensemble, how to choose tunes and keys, intros and endings, improvisation, and vocal techniques. Designed for beginning to advanced vocalists.

Jazz Improv. Essentials Workshop Monday-Thursday, June 12-15 1pm-4pm Instructor: Pam Morita $120 Contrary to common belief, jazz improvisation is a learned skill. It is a language developed over time, which involves listening, imitation, speaking small phrases, and eventually sentences that have a deeper meaning. The Jazz Improv Essentials Workshop will explore these ideas and help students learn to use them over the harmonic structure of scales, arpeggios, and chords so that we can begin to speak the language of Jazz. "Maiden Voyage" by Jamie Aebersold is recommended, but not required. Open to all ages and skill levels. No prior experience of playing jazz is required, but knowledge of Major Scales and chords in all keys is helpful.

The Afro-Cuban Jazz Workshop Monday-Thursday, June 19-22 9am-12pm Final concert on Thursday June 22 at 7:30pm Instructors: Michael Kocour, Raul Yanez, Ryan Anthony $150 Focuses on Afro-Cuban Jazz and Mambo literature made popular by artists such as Mario Bauza, Machito Grillo, Eddie Palmieri, and Chucho Valdéz. Under the direction of ASU Director of Jazz Studies Michael Kocour, the workshop also features instructional staff that includes Raul Yanez and Ryan Anthony. These instructors bring an inspiring and culturally enriching music experience to participants of all ages and experience levels. The Afro-Cuban Jazz Workshop is co-presented by the Nash and the Arizona State University Department of Jazz Studies. The Afro-Cuban Jazz workshop pairs wonderfully with the Latin Percussion Basics workshop, which directly follows it from 1pm to 4pm. Open to all ages and skill levels. Please bring your instruments.

Latin Percussion Basics Workshop Monday-Thursday, June 19-22 1pm-4pm Final concert on Thursday June 22 at 7:30pm Instructor: Joe Goglia $150 Percussionist Joe Goglia will enable students to identify and play authentic rhythms originating in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Africa & South America. Learn how to play a Cha-Cha, Rumba, Bomba, Samba, and Mambo on indigenous percussion instruments. All of these rhythms and feels will be experienced through guided listening and performing as a group. The Latin Percussion Basics workshop pairs wonderfully with the Afro-Cuban Jazz Workshop, which directly precedes it from 9am to 12pm. Open to EVERYONE! Beginners, intermediate and advanced students are all welcome.

Weekly Workshops (Meets Once Per Week)
Jazz Theory & Ear Training Thursdays May 25, June 1, 8 4:30pm-6:30pm Instructors: Jeff Libman, Russ Schmidt, Matt Williams $90 Split into three sessions, this workshop will cover Ear Training instructed by Dr. Jeff Libman, Jazz Theory instructed by Russ Schmidt, and Common Chord Progressions and Substitutions instructed by Matt Williams. Each session is designed to begin with a broad overview of the session's subject matter, and progressively advance into in-depth exercises and practice techniques. Students will walk away from all three courses with the knowledge, materials and practice techniques they will need to seriously advance their knowledge and understanding of jazz theory, harmony and ear training. Designed for intermediate to advanced skill levels.
Freeplay Ensemble Workshop Thursdays June 22, 29, July 6, 13 4:30pm-6:30pm Instructor: Russ Schmidt $120 The Freeplay Ensemble Workshop provides a unique opportunity for creative growth through free improvisation. Focusing on spontaneous interaction in an environment that deemphasizes traditional forms, this workshop will develop one's ability to communicate with other musicians while also enhancing their listening skills. Open to musicians of all ages and experience levels.

Music Educators Jazz Combo Workshop Mondays June 26, July 3, 10 4:30-6:30pm Instructor: Keith Kelly $90 The Music Educators Jazz Combo is designed for teachers in the community who would like more experience performing jazz and improvising. These sessions will focus on style, approaches to improvisation, and learning jazz in the chamber-group setting. Instructed by Dr. Keith Kelly. Open to all instruments and voices, no experience with jazz is necessary.

Imitate, Assimilate, Innovate: Transcribing Workshop Wednesdays June 28, July 5, 12 4:30pm-6:30pm Instructor: Adam Roberts $90 Unlock the knowledge of master improvisers and expand your musical voice. This course presents Adam Roberts's approach to enriching your jazz vocabulary through transcription. Topics covered include strategies for getting started, ear training, taking on melody, taking on chords, going beyond notes and rhythms, and how to apply what you have transcribed. All skill levels welcome!
Topics In Jazz Workshops (Single Day Sessions) Jam Session Etiquette Workshop Sunday June 4 5pm-6pm Instructor: Jeff Libman FREE
Have you ever wanted to "sit in" at a jazz jam session but were not sure how things would go? In this free clinic, Dr. Jeff Libman will offer suggestions on what to prepare, how to conduct oneself, and how to thrive at a jam session. He will also discuss the history and culture of jazz jam sessions. Vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Bring your instruments. A full three-hour jam session at The Nash will immediately follow this clinic.

Jazz & Technology Workshop Sunday June 25 3pm-5pm Instructor: Adam Roberts $30 Take a look at how technology has expanded the world for Jazz musicians. Focusing on 2 areas: 1) technology in the practice room, and 2) technology in the professional world, this course will identify and demonstrate practice tools to help with transcribing, recording, training your ear, and making the process more fun and effective. Hour 2 will look at professional tools for website promotion, online lessons, streaming, and at-home recording. Laptops are encouraged but not required. All skill levels welcome!

Jazz History/Culture Discussion Workshop Sunday June 18 3pm-5pm Instructor: Dr. Chris Wells $30

Join Dr. Chris Wells for a discussion of jazz history and culture and its relationships to time and place. No prior knowledge of jazz or instrumental experience is required. All learners are welcome!

Jazz History/Culture Discussion Workshop Sunday July 3 3pm-5pm Instructor: Dr. Chris Wells $30 Join Dr. Chris Wells for a discussion of jazz history and culture and its relationships to time and place. No prior knowledge of jazz or instrumental experience is required. All learners are welcome!

About The Nash Recognized by Downbeat Magazine as one of the top jazz venues in the United States, The Nash is named for "the most valuable player" in jazz (Modern Drummer Magazine), Phoenix native Lewis Nash. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix on "Roosevelt Row, The Nash brings a full calendar of live performances and ensures the future of the iconic art of jazz through its educational and outreach programs. The Nash hosts classic jazz and new music concerts; performances by student musicians, local pros and touring artists; weekly jazz jam sessions; workshops; master classes; and clinics. Educational programs are offered ranging from one-on-one private lessons to combo labs, guided listening, jazz in film, jazz camps and more.

About Lewis Nash Internationally acclaimed jazz drummer Lewis Nash, named the most valuable player in jazz by Modern Drummer Magazine, was described by Ira Gitler of The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz as "Perhaps the most talented drummer of his generation." Lewis grew up in south Phoenix and by the early age of 10 years old began playing drums. At age 21 he moved to New York City, where he became the drummer of choice for an incredible array of artists - from jazz masters to the hottest young players of today. His 30-year career includes performance on 10 Grammy award-winning albums and an impressive discography of over 400 recordings with jazz legends such as BetTy Carter, Tommy Flanagan, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner, Hank Jones, Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, Ron Carter and Clark Terry, as well as such contemporary jazz artists as Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Joe Lovano and Roy Hargrove.

A highly respected educator and clinician, Lewis joined the faculty of the ASU School of Music in January 2017 as the Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft Professor of Practice in Jazz.

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