Practice Jazz Jams | London

 
 
 

Update: full for all instruments

full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/

What is it
a pre-selected set of jazz standards for each session that you can prepare for in advance, and rehearse live with others in a friendly and welcoming environment

please sign up before attending

Location: Vortex downstairs

Who's it for
anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians.

There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g.
http://bit.ly/dubjazz
You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions.

Bass players expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas.

What it's like
a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time

Tunes this week
Bolivar Blues (aka Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are) in Bb (warm up)
Like someone in love in Eb
Manha de Carnaval (Black Orpheus) in Am
On the sunny side of the street in C

Tune preview - next novice session, likely June 5 12pm
Fly me to the moon in C
Manha de Carnaval (Black Orpheus) in Am
Doxy in Bb
No moon at all in Dm

Notes on tunes
form on the iReal Pro app as common reference (real books OK too). Melodies, lyrics and inspiration from real books, youtube, spotify etc.

If you've learnt the head (main melody) for a song, don't hesitate to let the band know

Which real book contains which song: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html

Equipment
there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutch

Vocalists
singers very welcome though usually I suggest you come to the intermediate sessions where you can pick your own song and key (as chances are many of the above are not in the right key for your range)

any questions do get in touch!

 
 
 

update: full for all instrument except bass

full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/

What is it
a pre-selected set of jazz standards for each session that you can prepare for in advance, and rehearse live with others in a friendly and welcoming environment

please sign up before attending

Location: Vortex downstairs

Who's it for
anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians.

There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g.
http://bit.ly/dubjazz
You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions.

Bass players expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas.

What it's like
a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time

Tunes this week
Bolivar Blues (aka Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are) in Bb (warm up)
Like someone in love in Eb
Manha de Carnaval (Black Orpheus) in Am
On the sunny side of the street in C

Tune preview - next novice session, likely June 5 12pm
Fly me to the moon in C
Manha de Carnaval (Black Orpheus) in Am
Doxy in Bb
No moon at all in Dm

Notes on tunes
form on the iReal Pro app as common reference (real books OK too). Melodies, lyrics and inspiration from real books, youtube, spotify etc.

If you've learnt the head (main melody) for a song, don't hesitate to let the band know

Which real book contains which song: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html

Equipment
there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutch

Vocalists
singers very welcome though usually I suggest you come to the intermediate sessions where you can pick your own song and key (as chances are many of the above are not in the right key for your range)

any questions do get in touch!

 
 
 

update: full for bass, drums, guitar

Note: please also learn the heads if you're on guitar or piano, in case of a shortage of horn players. Many well known versions of these songs have guitars, keys or even bass as the lead instrument.

full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/

Song list
Cissy Strut
Breezin
All blues (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kOBQfdhHJM)
Red Clay
Chameleon

Feel free to send along suggestions for future sessions, and any feedback on which songs you enjoyed playing (or not so much)

What is it
A format focused on funk and fusions tunes.
With a pre-selected set for each session that you can prepare for in advance, and rehearse live with others in a friendly and welcoming environment

please sign up before attending
location: Pirate Dalston

Who's it for
You'd be expected to be comfortable following the form / comping / improvising, and have listened to and practised the tunes ahead of the sessions

Notes on tunes
Use iReal Pro app (including forum searches), MuseScore, as well as real books for reference.
You can use this index to see which real book contains specific tunes: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html

Keys are not given for intermediate sessions; the group is expected to play in the preferred key of whoever is taking the head. Usually this will match available sheet music and/or well known recordings.

Equipment
there is a drum kit with cymbals, bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Please bring your own keyboard, or reach out to me if you need one from the studio (it's a little complicated).

any questions do get in touch!

 
 
 

Update: full for guitar, bass, drums

Note new 1pm start for this session, and 3 hour duration.

Note: please ensure you've listened to a few versions of all of these tunes, learning any common motifs and ideally also the melody (even if not lead instrument)

full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/

Tunes this week
(anything easy to warm up)
Scrapple from the apple
Impressions
Moody Indigo
Beatrice
Song for my father

--if time permits
Invitation

Keys not given - see note below

What is it
a pre-selected set of jazz standards for each session that you can prepare for in advance, and rehearse live with others in a friendly and welcoming environment

Songs here will be more challenging than the novice setlist.

please sign up before attending
location: Pirate Dalston

Who's it for
You are comfortable playing a variety of jazz standards and keen to play some that may be a bit trickier - fast, slow, difficult changes, odd time, specific riffs, mid-song communication etc. Also a chance to discuss after the song and play again.

What it's like
a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time

Notes on tunes
form on the iReal Pro app as common reference (real books OK too). Melodies, lyrics and inspiration from real books, youtube, spotify etc.

If you're keen to play the head, don't hesitate to let the band know - even if you're not on a lead instrument

Keys are not given for intermediate sessions; the group is expected to play in the preferred key of whoever is taking the head. Usually this will match available sheet music and/or well known recordings.

Which real book contains which song: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html

Equipment
there is a drum kit with cymbals, bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Please bring your own keyboard, or reach out to me if you need one from the studio (it's a little complicated).

Vocalists
singers very welcome though usually I suggest you get in touch with me (Xie) about joining sessions where you can pick your own song and key (as chances are many of the above are not in the right key for your range)

any questions do get in touch!