We’re starting the series off with the legendary and very talented gospel, R&B, and jazz singer Thelma Jones. She’ll will be appearing at the BJW on Weds., Feb. 22, at 7:30 PM.

Backed by a band of local BJW musicians led by pianist Terry Cano, this FREE event is the first of several clinics/concerts to be presented by the BJW this year.

The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop Big Band (beg.) wants you!

We’re changing the format of our Beginning Jazz Improv class. Entirely free of charge and open to ALL ages, the goal of the class will be to offer and promote a structured sense on improv education within a jazz ensemble (big band) setting. We’ll be teaching the importance of style, technique, and blend from the Masters such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Glen Miller.

This is a great opportunity for music students and musicians to learn, improve, and play jazz in a group setting before a live audience.

Led by our CEO, Steve Eisen, who has years of experience teaching and leading jazz ensembles, the class is open to all ages. All we ask is that you can meet the basic requirements of being able to play your instrument, with basic fundamental technique and knowledge.

We’re looking for people who can play:

Trumpets

Trombones

Alto sax

Tenor sax

Baritone sax

Piano

Bass Guitar

Guitar

Drums

*piano,drums, bass amp, and guitar amp will be furnished. Please bring a music stand if you have one.

*In order to participate, we expect each instrumentalist to have fundamental skills in the following areas:

1.  All 12 major scales (memorization not required)

2. The chromatic scale 2 octaves (memorization not required)

3. Be proficient in basic sight reading

4. Good sound and intonation

The new class will take place every Wednesday, beginning January 11, 2012, from 6:30 – 7:30pm.

It will be held as usual in the main dining room of Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, Bakersfield CA. 93309

Please call Steve Eisen at 661-444-0853 for more information or if you have any questions.

Also, if you previously asked us to remove you from our mailing list, but, you still are getting them it’s because we are using an archived list right now. Please send us another email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the message area and we’ll take care of it for you.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

The BJW Staff

A much in demand session musician, performer, and recording artist, he has collaborated with a Who’s Who in the world of music. Among the many are Steely Dan, The Manhattan Transfer, Peter Erskine, Scott Henderson, Michael Franks, Chick Corea, Billy Childs, Natalie Cole, Joni Mitchell, and many, many more.

Additionally, he is a renowned music educator and we are so happy to have him here as part of our 2011 Clinician Series.

“Imagine for a moment that you could execute every scale, chord, and pattern faster and cleaner than anyone else in the world. It would be a remarkable accomplishment. But I assure you that you would sound profoundly boring and unmusical. Equally and possibly more important than technique is the ability to express emotion and personality. To play soulfully and project musical ideas in a deep and personal way is what separates an artist from a craftsman. It is easy to lose track of this essential element in your pursuit of technical excellence. Ultimately, it is what we desire and yearn to hear in music.”

“For me it was Cannonball…then Coltrane, Joe Henderson, and Michael Brecker. I tried to figure out their solos, emulating everything: sound, licks, and mouthpiece set ups. It was this self pursuit process that taught me crucial concepts of sound production, tonguing, vibrato, lip and fingered glisses, fall offs, growls and more. These techniques are virtually impossible to teach. You have to hear them under a microscope, analyze them and assimilate them for yourself. Every great jazz player has gone through a similar process. It is the only way to find your individual voice.”—Bob Sheppard

Students, teachers, musicians, and music fans – do not miss this FREE event, brought to you by the BJW as a result of your generous donations to our organization.

There will be a 1 hour clinic beginning at 7 PM, followed by two 45 minute sets.

Hope to see you there!

For more info:    BJW 2011 Clinician Series, Bob Sheppard

A native Californian, Darren was born into a musical family. He learned drums at 8 and sax at 10. at which time he knew the sax was the instrument for him.

He has recorded and performed in different genres of music from gospel, contemporary jazz, R & B, reggae, funk and hip hop to traditional jazz. He has performed with many notable artists such as Ronnie Laws, Doc Powell, Larry Dunn (Earth Wind and Fire), Norman Connors, Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s band Miles Long, Donnie McClurkin, Bobby Jones, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. He has opened for artists such as Fattburger, Pieces of a Dream, Jon B., Greg Adams, Wayman Tisdale, Najee, Al Jarreau, Bobby Lyle, Jean Carne, Wayne Henderson and Nils to name a few. Darren has also had the opportunity to tour outside of the country.

His range of influence includes legends such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. Artists like Grover Washington, Ronnie Laws, and George Howard have also inspired his development.

Darren believes in giving back to the community and is involved in community service through delivering motivational speeches to school children to performing for various charity events.

His love of performing live is evident. He plays with passion and emotion that transcends to his audience. “I have been blessed with a gift that I have a responsibility to share with others. My goal is to touch someone with my music because there’s more to music than just notes, it’s how it makes you feel!”

Visit Darren’s website for more info.

Ticket info can be found below. Hope to see you there – this is our main fundraising event of the year, helping us to fulfill our mission of supporting jazz education, performance, and appreciation in the Bakersfield area.

Erik Telford

The CEO of the BJW, Steve Eisen, also originally from Texas and a trumpeter himself, was instrumental in bringing Erik to Bakersfield. Striking up a friendship recently and explaining what the BJW has been doing, Steve was easily able to convince Erik to stop in Bakersfield between gigs at The Baked Potato in Los Angeles tomorrow (Tuesday) and the group’s appearance in Monterey this Friday.

Born in Pacific Grove, CA, Telford is no stranger to the Monterey Jazz Festival. As a senior in high school, he became the first recipient of the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship given by that festival to attend Berklee.

For more information:

ETC Website

ETC Audio Clips: Summertime (V1), Death Trap, Summertime (V2)

2011 Monterey Jazz Festival Website

Beginning Jazz Improv class at 6:30 PM, Featured Artist at 7:30 PM, and an Open Jam Session at 8:30 PM.

And it’s FREE!!! No cover, no drink minimum, NADA!

All ages welcome!

Vocalist Tony Galla kicks it off  (Mar. 2), followed by jazz guitarist Jacques Lesure (Jun. 1),  vocalist Sherry Williams (Aug.17), and sax legend Bob Sheppard (Nov.9) closes it out.

Check out our Announcements page for more info:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BJW 2011 Clinicians Series

We’ve uploaded some new pictures of past BJW events into our Gallery. Just click on this Gallery link to see them.

New albums include pictures from the Daniel Glass drum clinic, with more to come, including performances by Mark Infante, the BC Jazz Ensemble, and the clinic by Barbara Morrison. Hope to have all of these up real soon!

Also, be sure to check our Announcements page for info on our New Years Eve dinner / dance at the Stars Dinner Theater. Still some tickets left.