Introduction to the Jazz Department with Nick Smart
Introduction to the Jazz Department with Nick Smart
Welcome to the Academy Jazz Department's first online Open Day!
JAZZ WEBINAR - register here
The Jazz Department is widely considered to be one of the leading conservatoire departments in the world. You’ll find the atmosphere supportive, collaborative and engaged with your individual development as a jazz musician. This Open Day is to give you a feel for life as a jazz student at the Academy and show some of the kinds of activities you could expect to undertake here.
Our Jazz Department has produced an outstanding array of versatile, creative and highly employable jazz musicians since its foundation in 1987. To see all of the courses available, from clarinet to saxophone, vibraphone, electric bass, voice and more, see the courses tab on our main Jazz Department webpage.
For the chance to learn more and ask any questions, catch-up below on our webinar from 4.30pm on Sunday 27 September.
If you still have unanswered questions, feel free to contact the Jazz Department directly.
Jazz Webinar
Jazz Webinar
Stan Sulzmann and Academy Big Band
Stan Sulzmann and Academy Big Band
REP Class with Pete Churchill
REP Class with Pete Churchill
JAZZ PLAYLIST
Check out some highlights below. The first video is an example from a very special week in 2018 with guest Artists in Residence, Dave Holland and Chris Potter:
Dave Holland and Chris Potter residency
Dave Holland and Chris Potter residency
Here are two videos made by the Academy Jazz Department during the recent lockdown. First is the Big Band recording Kenny Wheeler’s iconic composition 'Smatta', as we were due to have recorded an album of his works in Abbey Road. The second is from Barak Schmool’s rhythmic studies class, where they recorded this arrangement following the cancellation of their end-of-year concert:
Kenny Wheeler 'Smatta' - Royal Academy of Music Big Band
Kenny Wheeler 'Smatta' - Royal Academy of Music Big Band
Big Yellow Taxi - Royal Academy of Music Jazz Rhythm Class 2020 (trailer)
Big Yellow Taxi - Royal Academy of Music Jazz Rhythm Class 2020 (trailer)
To finish, please enjoy these three compositions written by recent graduates who wrote for big band in their final year, as part of the Composition and Arranging module:
'Matterhorn' by Tom Barford - Royal Academy of Music Big Band
'Matterhorn' by Tom Barford - Royal Academy of Music Big Band
Star Drive - Big Band - Olli Martin - Royal Academy of Music Big Band
Star Drive - Big Band - Olli Martin - Royal Academy of Music Big Band