Jazz
Dave Douglas, International Jazz Artist in Residence
Django Bates, Visiting Professor of Jazz
The Academy has for many years now produced the most outstanding array of exciting, versatile, creative and employable musicians to emerge on to the jazz scene. So what is so unique about studying at the Academy that equips our graduates to achieve such consistently high levels?
We offer an ideal supportive environment in which to learn and experiment with this extremely broad art form. There is a strong emphasis on performance and composition, with opportunities to play with your own groups — at the Academy and also at the many venues with which we have strong links, including the 606, the Vortex, the Forge, Ronnie Scott’s and Kings Place.
The Academy jazz course benefits from small numbers, enabling you to receive a personalised education and close support throughout your studies. The students of each year-group grow and develop as an ensemble by playing together extensively in projects and classes, as well as collaborating with players from other years. This interaction between peers has naturally developed to a level where lifelong musical associations are formed.
The finest jazz musicians have always been complete musicians with a unified voice through their improvising, composing and arranging: from Duke Ellington to Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter to Kenny Wheeler. We strive to continue this tradition with a full and varied course covering many aspects and forms of jazz and applications within other genres. We aim that, by graduation, you will have found your own creative voice and will be equipped with a versatile set of skills to enable you to pursue the future you want as a working musician.
The department runs a four-year BMus undergraduate programme, and MA and MMus programmes of 1–2 years.
We bring in performers from the world jazz scene as often as possible to work with the students. The course is committed to continual development in order to remain as vital as possible in this constantly evolving art form.
Open Day: 2012 dates will be made available when known. If you missed the 2011 open day, please do come along to any of our free public events, all of which can be found at www.ram.ac.uk/events
