Steve Waterman, Alan Barnes and Alun Vaughan host a unique residential jazz weekend focusing on performing contemporary and swing big band and jazz improvisation.

We are inviting intermediate to advanced players of trumpet, trombone, sax, bass, piano, guitar, drums and percussion to join us in a series of tutorials and workshops covering ensemble, improvisation and sectional playing.

It’s an ideal forum for those who are teaching (or want to teach) in the jazz idiom either in the classroom or in a big band setting.

Visit our Booking Page to book a place on the 2019 course.

Places are reserved on a first come first served basis, and will be confirmed in writing on receipt of your booking form and payment.

Jazz Improvisation Breakout Sessions

There are lots of reasons why even experienced players find improvisation a daunting experience.

Breakout sessions specialising in the art of jazz improvisation will suit all levels of players. It is specifically designed to eliminate the mystery, and add confidence and creativity to your improvisation skills.

We will be:

• Learning to improvise over the chord sequences of popular jazz standards.
• Developing improvisation over common 2-5-1, 1-6-2-5, 3-6-2-5 etc sequences.
• Developing jazz vocabulary
• Learning melodies and chord sequences from memory.
• Exploring Jazz instrumental techniques - articulation, transcription, rhythm. etc.

If you'd like to improve your understanding, skills and techniques so that you can feel truly confident when it's your turn to express yourself through your instrument, join me, with Alan Barnes and Alun Vaughan.

We understand how daunting it can be to improvise with confidence, and we will guide you every step of the way.

As usual we are offering a 'Returners' Rate to those who attended our Big Band Weekend during the past three years.

If you live locally, we offer day rates so you can enjoy the music sessions and hospitality, during breaks, lunch and dinner, but you make your own sleeping arrangements off site after the jam sessions.

Non playing partners are always very welcome and we can offer special full board rates for them.

If you'd like to find out more about the improvisation weekend, please contact Lorraine by telephone on 01427 718900 or email to express your interest.

if you know anyone who you think might be interested in joining us this time, please feel free to pass on this information or suggest they give Lorraine a call on 01427 718900 to discuss their options.

Take advantage of our "Early Bird" rates!

If you'd like to come along, we need to hear from you as soon as possible, so please call to reserve your place.

The weekend is residential, though day bookings are accepted in some cases. Non-playing partners are most welcome, and will benefit from joining their partner at all meal times and social gatherings, and will have full use of the hotels facilities including the leisure suite and health spa.  Non-playing weekend costs here.

Full details of the weekend are available via the menu on the left side of this page.