Jazz & Swing Band

Another exciting edition to the GBRT family of choirs and ensembles is the launch of the new GBRT Jazz & Swing Band from January 2012.  We are now recruiting musicians of all ages to come and join us.

Who?
Membership of the band is open to all ages, whether school age or adult, you simply need to be able to read and play music fluently.

When & Where?
Rehearsals will take place fortnightly on Monday evenings at Church Langton Community Hall (near Market Harborough) from 7.30 until 9.30pm.  All rehearsal dates are provided on the GBRT Jazz & Swing Band 2012 Rehearsal Dates and GBRT Jazz & Swing Band 2013 Rehearsal Dates schedules.

Which Instruments?
Clarinets, Cornets, Double Bass, Drum Kit, Euphoniums, Flutes, French Horns, Guitar - Bass, Guitar - Electric, Keyboard, Saxophones – Alto/Baritone/Tenor, Trombones – Bass/Tenor, Trumpets, Vibraphone

Lluis Mather - Our Musical Director
Lluis Mather is a versatile saxophonist, a 2010 Yamaha Jazz Scholar and a first class graduate from Birmingham Conservatoire which also saw him win the ‘David Holland Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Ensemble Award’ – an award given to the most original and outstanding ensemble.  He performed headline sets at Cheltenham, Harmonic and Lichfield jazz festivals in 2010 with his Dave Holland Ensemble Award-winning quartet (judged by Dave Holland himself).

His main ensemble, Noose, (recorded by Yamaha for their CD the Yamaha New Jazz Sessions) completed their first album (High Windows) in May 2010, and is now readying a follow up album.

Lluis had an extensive practical education at Birmingham Conservatoire, where he was taught and extensively influenced by Mike Williams, received regular tuition from Jean Toussaint, Julian Siegal and Hans Koller, and by visiting tutors such as Jeff Williams, Paul Dunmall and Mike Gibbs. In 2008 he toured with the C.UK big band to Toronto's IAJE conference.

Between 2004 and 2010 he was also a member the nationally renowned Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra (unbeaten in the BBC big band competition). In this band he learnt from the experience of playing alongside well respected guest artists (Stan Sultzmann, Julian Siegal, Henry Lowther, Dave O'Higgins, etc.)

 “Lluis is the outstanding player ……and is destined for a bright career in the music industry.”  (Tony Dudley Evans, Birmingham Jazz)

What Does It Cost? 
Fees are payable one term in advance:  £35 per term (£30 for school students).

How Do I Join?
Simply complete the Jazz & Swing Band Registration Form and send it, alongwith your first term’s fees to the address given before the date you wish to start.