No nonsense. Encouraged everyone, gave very good advice, to the group as a whole and to individuals. Always a consummate professional.
Suggested (what I found to be) very challenging charts. (Like the chord changes in Along Came Betty and Tune Up at a very fast pace). Did not back-off from the challenging tunes.
Ran the sessions very well. Keep people on track, no wasted time. Of course, she was always on time, and respectful of people’s time when the session ended.
Clear expectations. Consistent in her approach through the 10 weeks. It was always clear who was in charge and why she has successful bands of her own. It was also clear that she was instructing from a position of a great deal of knowledge, and that she would have more to say if we were more experienced/mature/sophisticated performers. She managed to move everyone forward even given a band with a wide range of experience and skill.
Selected the final tunes to play at the right time (not too early in the session but with enough time to really focus on them).
Finally, showed up at the performance, talked (encouragingly) to the band before the performance to focus everyone and then congratulated everyone afterwards. That goes a long way and is greatly appreciated by the band members.
Combo Level 2
This combo will meet weekly on Wednesdays running June 25th - August 27th with performances on August 29th.
Ann Reynolds is a composer, musician, and educator whose main instrument is the piano. Her piano training began as a child and she pursued classical performance studies at Mount Holyoke College. In 1986 Ann moved to Seattle and began a serious study of jazz with private teachers in the Northwest. She was performing in my own groups and in big bands by 1994. Her journey into Latin (Cuban) music began in 2000 and lead to two CDs of her original Cuban compositions (Para Cuba Con Amor 2014 and Joy 2019 with her group Clave Gringa. In 2021 she recorded 4 jazz compositions “Inspired by Women Composers” with her trio of Kelsey Mines (bass) and Christopher Icasiano (drums). This recording was awarded the Earshot Golden Ear Award for best NW Jazz Recording 2021.
Homework: Homework is comprised of playing assignments based on the combo music and individual needs.
Student Requirements: Punctual attendance and desire to learn and improve. Students supply their instruments.
Important Note Regarding Combo Placement: Jazz Night School is dedicated to finding the best learning experience for everyone involved. Some of the criteria we consider in determining combo placements include: matching ability levels within groups, compatibility of individuals in the groups (students and instructors), allowing the highest number of students to participate, student availability, and date of registration. Despite our best efforts, there is always a chance that an individual may not be able to be placed in a combo.
This is a 10 week course meeting in-person once a week for 90 minutes.
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Beginning, intermediate, or advanced
Jazz Night School is a vibrant and welcoming community-based nonprofit music education program that is home to hundreds of like-minded learners. Our school offers great opportunities to meet other dedicated jazz students and artists. Whatever your skill level, we have a place for you.
Schedule a skills assessment
We strongly encourage all new students to schedule a complimentary skills assessment so we can help you figure out the best place to start.
What is it like to learn with us?
As a student at Jazz Night School, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive community that shares a love and deep appreciation for jazz music in all its various forms. Your development as a musician is our primary educational goal. Whatever your skill level, our program can help you improve your musicianship and discover your own unique musical voice. For new students, we provide a complimentary introductory session that includes a skills assessment. This session gives you a chance to share your goals and interests and helps us point you to the most appropriate offerings. Each quarter we offer a wide variety of classes and workshops on improvisation, harmony, ear-training, and specialized topics. Our online classes feature lots of discussion and opportunity for questions and answers. There are no grades at Jazz Night School; rather, instructors give each student individual feedback on an ongoing basis. Everyone's effort is valued. When public health restrictions are relaxed, we will return to offering group ensemble opportunities that culminate in a short performance at a local nightclub. This is a fun-filled evening where friends and family come to applaud student efforts and cheer them on to new heights of musical expression!
We understand that most of our students have important life commitments such as work and family. There may be days that you have to deal with a sick child or a pressing work deadline and you aren't able to put in as much practice time as you would have liked. We get it. Our goal is to support your musical aspirations at whatever pace you are able to sustain at this time in your life.
Instructors
Jazz Night School instructors are some of the finest musicians and educators in Seattle’s vibrant jazz community. Some have learned their art through old school traditions and others have studied at premier institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Eastman, Indiana University, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, and University of Miami.
All Jazz Night School policies must be adhered to for enrollment, policies can be found here.