Swing Central

2012 SCJ Participants Announcement

2011-12-09T13:57:11Z

The following high school bands have been chosen to participate in the 2012 Swing Central Jazz Workshop & Competition:

Advanced Jazz Band. Battle Ground High. Battle Ground, WA
Greg McKelvey, Band Director

1st Place (tie) Agoura High School Studio Jazz. Agoura High School. Agoura Hills, CA
John Mosley, Band Director

Champaign Central H.S. Jazz Ensemble. Champaign Central High School. Champaign, IL
John Currey, Band Director

Champaign Central H.S. Stage Band. Champaign Central High School. Champaign, IL
Michael Fegnolio, Band Director

1st Place (tie) Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble. Dillard High School. FL
Christopher Dorsey

Hume Fogg Silver Jazz Band. Hume Fogg Academic High School. Nashville, TN
Richard Ripani, Band Director

Leon High School Jazz Ensemble 1. Leon High School. Tallahassee, FL
David Thornton, Band Director

Lower Moreland High School Jazz Ensemble. Lower Moreland High School. Huntingdon Valley, PA
Erin Stroup, Band Director

Mount Si High School Jazz Band 1. Mount Si High School. Snoqualmie, WA
Adam Rupert, Band Director

Newport High School Jazz 1. Newport High School. Bellevue, WA
Cory Edwards, Band Director

3rd Place Temple High School Highlighters. Temple High School. Temple, TX
Brent Mathesen, Band Director

The Lovett School Jazz Ensemble. The Lovett School. Atlanta, GA
Stutz Wimmer, Band Director

We would like to congratulate all of the bands that submitted recordings. The judges had a difficult time narrowing the selection to twelve bands due to the high level of performance across the board. We would also like to congratulate all of the band directors for their efforts, and we encourage all students and directors to utilize the video lessons available at SwingCentralJazz.Org.

2012 participants will be contacted directly by Ricardo Ochoa, Director of Education for further instructions.

For questions contact:
Ricardo Ochoa, Director of Education
ricardo@savannahmusicfestival.org

Marcus Roberts, lesson on the use of left & right hand in piano solos

2011-08-02T19:57:03Z

In this video lesson Marcus Roberts discusses different approaches to piano solos by using left and right hand in various ways

2012 Online Combo Competition

2011-07-28T14:06:39Z

SWING CENTRAL JAZZ ONLINE COMBO COMPETITION

In the 2011-2012 season, the Savannah Music Festival will incorporate a new jazz combo competition amongst the twelve Swing Central Jazz finalists. Musicians in each big band will be invited to submit live small combo performances to the Swing Central Jazz YouTube channel for a shot at winning awards in one of the following areas: original arrangement, soloing, rhythm section, and individual playing. In addition, the best overall combo will be the subject of a filmed master class during the 2012 Swing Central High School Jazz Band Competition & Workshop at the Savannah Music Festival. Three Swing Central Jazz clinicians will judge each combo's performance. A "People's Choice" award will also be given, comprised of online voting through www.swingcentraljazz.org.

The Music: Participating combos are asked to record and submit YouTube video files of either/both the tune "Dig" by Miles Davis and a blues tune of the students' choice (original blues tune composed by a student is encouraged).

Acceptable Combo Formats: The competition is open to jazz trios, quartets, quintets and sextets from the 12 participating bands, and judging will be performed by three of the Swing Central Jazz professional clinicians.

Criteria and Judging: By basing judging on the four criteria of original arrangements, solos, rhythm sections and individual playing, these aspiring jazz musicians are encouraged to learn good practice techniques, pick out quality literature, compose their own music, develop listening skills, hone rehearsal techniques, and work well in group settings. By incorporating the online voting for the "People's Choice" award, the students' work can be accessed by an unlimited number of viewers, thus holding the young musicians accountable for their work and encourage high-quality submissions.

Key Dates: The submission deadline is March 2^nd, 2012. All the participating videos will be posted on the Swing Central Jazz website on March 5^th, 2012. The winners will be announced on March 28^th, 2012 during the SCJ welcome session.

Public Performance: Participating combos will be selected to perform for the public in a free outdoor performance on March 30, 2012 at the Savannah Music Festival.

For more information, contact SMF Education Director Ricardo Ochoa at ricardo@savannahmusicfestival.org or visit the FORUM section at www.swingcentraljazz.org.

The importance of Beat 2 and 4

2011-07-25T19:50:45Z

In this video Jim Ketch explains the importance of beat 2 and 4 for staying in the pocket

Marcus Roberts Trio with Jim Ketch and Marcus Printup

2011-07-25T19:30:20Z

In this video, the Marcus Roberts Trio with Jim Ketch and Marcus Printup perform a B-flat Blues after explaining the systematic approach of ensemble playing. See Systematic approach videos on SwingCentralJazz.org

Systematic approach to ensemble rehearsal Level VI - Part II (Piano)

2011-07-25T18:58:43Z

In this video: Marcus Roberts, Jim Ketch, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Jordan
Piano: 7th, 9th and 13th

Systematic approach to ensemble rehearsal Level VI - Part 1 (Drums & Bass)

2011-07-25T18:57:39Z

Drums: Playing around the instrument and sound production.
Bass: using triads to outline the chord in quarter notes, minor 3rd motion.

Systematic approach to ensemble rehearsal Level V - Part 2 (Piano)

2011-07-25T18:55:20Z

In this video: Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Jordan, Jim Ketch
Piano: introducing the 7th in close position or open voicing in whole notes

Systematic approach to ensemble rehearsal Level V - Part 1 (Drums & Bass)

2011-07-25T18:54:02Z

In this video: Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Jordan, Jim Ketch
Drums: adding the kick drum, balancing the sound while accenting 2 and 4. Bass: Moving half notes and quarter notes between the root, third and fifth of chord (different combinations)

Systematic approach to ensemble playing Level IV (Marcus Printup)

2011-07-25T18:52:33Z

In this video: Marcus Printup, Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Jordan, Jim Ketch
With the addition of Marcus Printup on trumpet, Jim Ketch explains the use of the fundamentals discussed in Level I, II and III applying them to a quartet setting.

Systematic approach to ensemble rehearsal Level III

2011-07-25T18:51:01Z

In this video: Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Jordan, Jim Ketch
Drums: using the hi-hat in 2 and 4 with quarter notes in the right symbol
Bass: using the roots of the chords in quarter notes
Piano: chords in root position, first inversion and second inversion using them in half note duration

Systematic approach to ensemble rehearsal Level II

2011-07-25T18:49:14Z

In this video: Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Jordan, Jim Ketch.
Jim Ketch discuss the next level in rhythm patterns. Right Symbol quarter notes, half notes on the bass and the piano moving from whole notes to half notes.

Systematic Approach to ensemble rehearsal (Swinging) Level I

2011-07-25T18:46:19Z

In this video: Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Jordan and Jim Ketch.
Jim Ketch explains a systematic approach to combo playing focusing on the rhythm section. The basics of swinging using quartet notes in a B-flat blues.
This is the first of a progression of videos. More videos can be found at SwingCentralJazz.org

Marcus Roberts, demostration on piano solo in big band setting

2011-07-25T17:31:46Z

Marcus Roberts shows different ways to approach a solo and gives the band some recommendations

Marcus Roberts, Lesson on piano solo techniques

2011-07-25T16:14:58Z

Marcus Roberts shows phrasing concepts and techniques in a piano solo