GCAC Presents: Jazz Academy’s Listen, Learn & Play

With nearly 5,000 square feet, the Jazz Academy is a hub of community engagement for multi-generational and recreational music making; ensemble playing; technology instruction; after-school programs; and lectures with world-class musicians – a place where everyone can listen, learn and play. The Jazz Arts Group offers a stellar line-up of music making opportunities at the Jazz Academy designed to engage all ages and interests; from pre-school children to senior citizens, guitar players to aspiring producers, and students to teachers. This state-of-the-art facility is home to a recording lab, a keyboard studio, and multiple rehearsal spaces all housed in the newly restored Lincoln Theatre.

The Jazz Academy is pleased to welcome jazz guitar virtuoso Sheryl Bailey for a workshop in conjunction with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s Guitar Summit event (Saturday, September 25, 2 PM); international trombone star Sarah Morrow for a participatory master class on funk (Saturday, November 6, 1 PM); Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Duke Robillard to review blues guitar technique (Monday, December 13, 6 PM); gospel singer Nia Allen for a holiday sing-a-long (Saturday, December 18, 2 PM); and Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter-composer Dave Douglas to discuss current approaches to writing new music (Saturday, February 5, 2 PM).

Ongoing Jazz Academy courses include nationally acclaimed music educator Bradley Sowash offering piano basics in Creative Chords I and group piano lessons in That’s Jazz 1 and Creative Chords III. If guitar is more your style, Tim Cummiskey gives you the opportunity to advance your guitar skills with Guitar: Chords and Scales to Progressions, Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Concepts, and Guitar Ensemble. Led by Rachel Sepulveda, Vocal Ensemble explores the rewarding journey of singing in harmony with friends in a joyful and supportive environment. Central City Recording’s Recording Session teaches you the basics – from running Pro Toolsâ„¢ to setting up a live recording session – then applies what you’ve learned by setting up a live recording session for the Rock Ensemble class at the Jazz Academy. Lyrical Fitness with Speak Williams is designed to stretch the mind of anyone interested in developing techniques to take their poetry, hip-hop, and songwriting lyrics to the next level. Jay Miglia’s Big Band for Grown-Ups is your chance to dust off your instrument and exercise your mind and spirit through the experience of playing music. And Jumpin’ JaKs (Jazz & Kids) will give preschoolers, ages 3-5, the opportunity to explore American music in all of its forms.

Other course offerings include Rock Ensemble with Dennis Hodges, Music Business 202 with Ron Riley, Sing! Sing a Song! Sing Out Loud! Sing Out Strong! with Mary McClendon, and Drum Set Styles with Reggie Jackson, Carlos Fisher, Cedric Easton and Ryan Jewell. Fall/Winter session will also include free workshops for musicians in partnership with the Columbus Music Co-op such as Music and Community: How to Put on a Benefit Show and More! and So You Want to Make Music in Columbus?.

Discounted registration is available for Jazz Academy community partners including subscribers to the Columbus Jazz Orchestra; Jazz Arts Group’s Youth Jazz participants; employees of Abercrombie & Fitch, Cardinal Health, Grange Insurance, Limited Brands, Nationwide and the State Auto Group; students of Capital University; and members of the Columbus Blues Alliance (CBA), the Columbus Council on World Affairs (CCWA), Columbus Music Co-op, King Arts Complex, TiXiT, WCBE 90.5 FM, WOSU Public Media and United Way of Central Ohio’s Young Leadership Group, Key Club and Cinquefoil.

For more information regarding classes, registration, or scholarships, please contact Jazz Arts Group at 614-294-5200 x 107 or visit www.jazzartsgroup.org.

GCAC presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with theColumbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.