Opportunity knocks for jazz enthusiasts

Talented Australian jazz musician Kerin Bailey will present a series of jazz workshops hosted by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) for the Toowoomba community on Friday 19 October 2007.

Mr Bailey is travelling to Toowoomba for a special performance with the Ergon Energy USQ Big Band and ARIA award-winner, Kate Ceberano at the Empire Theatre this weekend (Saturday 20 October 2007).

Three workshops will be run by Mr Bailey including Rhythm Unravelled at 11.30am, Jazz Harmony/Improvisation at 2pm and a Jam Session at 4pm.

'These are jazz rhythms, they will be learning how to swing. The workshops will give an introduction into these rhythms and styles,' Mr Bailey said.

'Not a lot of people teach this sort of music. Most students learn from private teachers who are classically trained.'

Commencing piano lessons at age seven, Mr Bailey has gone on to develop his passion and talent for music as a performer, educator, composer and publisher.

Working alongside some of Australia's leading jazz musicians such as Graham Lyall, Dave Newdick and Frankie Davidson, Mr Bailey has studied trumpet and flute along with major studies in classical piano.

Mr Bailey recently recording the jazz/popular pieces for AMEB's Piano for Leisure Series 2 demonstration CD's and has composed and published numerous works including Jazzin' Around Series for Piano and Strings and Jazz Incorporated for Winds and Brass.

A level of experience is required to participate in the workshops, however the community are welcome to sit-in and watch the Jam Session at 4pm in the USQ Concert Hall.

'To get the most out of the sessions participants really need to have some background and reasonable technique,' he said.

'Grade 5 AMEB would be desirable, particularly for the second session. The Rhythm Unravelled session is open to anybody of a moderate standard, or upper beginners. More advanced intermediate students will get even more out of it.

'Rhythm Unravelled is an ideal precursor to the second session which you would need to be at least 5 or 6 AMEB standard. The Jam Session requires a similar skill level.'

Music teachers would also benefit from the workshops, Mr Bailey said.

'Classical teachers might like to attend these sessions. A lot of what is taught will be familiar in their teaching and kids want to learn these rhythms and styles.

'There are more and more kids wanting to play the popular styles because it's the stuff they hear on the radio. It has sounds and rhythms they are more familiar with.

'A lot of kids tend to drop out of music lessons when they are young because they are only taught classical pieces.'

Although people can attend single workshops, Mr Bailey said attending all three will give students a more complete experience.

'If people do all three workshops they will come away with a worthwhile exercise,' he said.

'They've got to improvise as well if they are attending the jamming session. It's a baptism of fire into the jazz world.'

Workshop participants will need to being their own instruments to the workshops (piano is provided). For information on the workshops and the performance visit the website www.usq.edu.au/performancecentre. Workshop places are limited so contact the USQ Box Office on 07 4631 1111 or email boxoffice@usq.edu.au to book in.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559