Drummer Opening: Berkeley Jazz Workshops

1953 Hopkins Street, Berkeley CA

Description

The Berkeley Jazz Workshops are ensembles that provide experience playing in a small-group setting. Groups are at various levels, beginning to advanced, and players on all instruments are welcome. CURRENT OPENINGS: There's an intermediate / advanced group on Monday night that will have a drummer opening starting in November. We will be putting together additional ensembles for November / December for both entry-level and more advanced players. If you are a drummer who's enjoying playing jazz and has already made a start on learning the idiom, get in touch. It's free to stop in and check out these ensembles. The material ranges from standards to bebop, brazilian, afro-cuban, and modern jazz pieces. These ensembles provide a place to get some experience, to meet other stir-crazy musicians, to play with a good rhythm section, and to make all the mistakes you want. We meet at a space in N. Berkeley where there's a piano, a drum set, a P.A., music stands, and tolerant neighbors. We've been in action for more than thirty years. A lot of really excellent players have cycled through the Berkeley Jazz Workshops: we've provided a great platform for learning and building community. The fee charged (140. for a month) covers rent on the space, and some low-key, useful coaching. A typical ensemble is six or seven pieces (piano, guitar, drums, bass, and two or three soloists). Openings come up for all the chairs at one time or another: It's always worth checking in. * * * Clark Suprynowicz, who directs the workshops, is a jazz bassist who studied with Dave Holland in NYC. He's played and recorded with Tom Waits, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, and a wide variety of artists and performers.