RyeJam

RyeJam

This project was an attempt to create a unique new jazz ensemble which gave participants the opportunity to explore their creativity through jazz, improvisation and group composition activities.

Jazz Saxophonist, Tom Sherman, led weekly Sunday rehearsals and jamming sessions, with the aim of developing a jazz ensemble with a creative and contemporary edge.

Workshops enabled participants to develop a variety of skills, and were suitable for young musicians who are interested in jazz and improvised music, but who perhaps hadn't had the confidence to explore this side of performance in the past.

The focus of the activity was twofold. Firstly the group interpreted jazz standards using music and charts to develop their own interpretation of familiar, and sometimes new, repertoire. Secondly they developed improvisation and group composition skills to create original music for performance by the ensemble.

The format of the weekly workshops, the musical content, the balance between composition, improvisation and learning established repertoire was all driven by the young players with Tom supporting their decisions to ensure that the group were able to achieve the sound, repertoire and experience they wanted.

This project was delivered by Pied Piper as part of the NYMAZ Programme, and was supported by NYMAZ, Arts Council England and Ryedale District Council.

This activity was supported by NYMAZ, Youth Music, Arts Council England and Ryedale District Council