Demystifying Jazz

with Nikki Iles Karen Sharp 

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Millers

 

12 Sussex St, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PW

Tel: 01223 454452

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Tickets: £15 full / £12 under

 

This event is in association with Millers.

 

This session will focus on developing aural skills through improvisation. We will work on repertoire that lends itself to motivic improvising and in the course of the workshop we will give you some ideas on developing melodic solos that have a sense of narrative and purpose. Although no previous improvising experience is necessary you will get the most out of this session  if your instrumental ability is upwards of grade 5.

 

You are welcome to observe if you would prefer not to participate directly. Above all, this session is meant to be fun and to give you a chance to have a go! 

 

Karen and Nikki will be performing as a trio with UK bassist and jazz veteran Dave Green later that day ay Hot Numbers Coffee at 3-5:30pm: Karen Sharp Trio

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Sax player Karen Sharp, brings together a top line-up of Nikki Iles on piano and Dave Green on bass.

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Bedfordshire-born Nikki Iles has progressed into the front rank of British jazz musicians. She began her career in the north of England as a founder member of The Creative Jazz Orchestra and composition continues to be a major part of her musical life. Playing highlights in the last couple of years have included The Julian Arguelles Octet, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Karen Sharp and Tina May.

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A committed jazz educator, she is senior lecturer at Middlesex University, visiting professor at the Guildhall school and the Royal Academy in London, and Jazz Advisor to the ABRSM. She was nominated for the JAZZ EDUCATION AWARD at the 2007 and 2009 PARLIAMENTARY JAZZ AWARDS. 

 

"Iles is one of the most refreshing and promising figures to have emerged in the UK in recent times,with a liquid sound and supple,obliquely resolved phrasing as an improviser...... "

The Guardian

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"..And Iles is a skillful improviser,although this is often eclipsed by her own bigger scale composition.But at London's Vortex on the opening show of a 14 date tour,Iles displayed the rhythmic suprises,shape shifting phrases,playful dialogue with partners and a mix of ruggedness and reflection that at times make her comparable with the great John Taylor. "

The Guardian

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Karen Sharp has long been a busy freelance musician working alongside many top class British and American musicians such as Scott Hamilton, Sir John Dankworth, Danny Moss, Alan Barnes, Barbara Lea, Dick Sudhalter, Joe Temperley, Mark Nightingale, Annie Whitehead, Ellyn Rucker, Roy Williams, Tina May, Nikki Iles, Scott Robinson, Ken Peplowski and the great blues singer Elkie Brooks. 

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"....an extraordinary talent." Phil Collins, BBC Radio 2 

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"Karen Sharp is a most impressive young talent, effortless swinging tenor playing- a must for any size gig. Can't wait for her return."

Peter Bronson.