This is another article in my occasional series of pieces about the jazz singing classes at the Sage. Lance refers to the class as The Factory, but let me tell you, Lance, that the course is meeting with some success. Past graduates include Claire Kelly, (She does a superb version of I’ve Grown Accustomed To His Face) and Gabi Heller (she can scat for England, or rather Germany). These two have already started on their jazz careers – watch for them in the listings.
There are about 20 students in the class, including 5 men. (Why are most jazz vocalists women? Traditional I suppose). About half of us have been involved previously, and we have various backgrounds, including a man who has been a drummer, and someone else who works as an actor. And that’s just the people that I know about. Last week’s warm up exercise was a spot of flamenco, more difficult than it sounds. Just you try counting 1 2: then 1, 2, 3 etc up to 10, whilst stamping and also clapping on some of the numbers as well, it gets very confusing, but it quickens your wits.
There are various types of voice, all interesting to listen to, and lots of different interpretations of the songs. Listening to what other people make of the songs is part of the delight of jazz singing. For example, a sad song such as Every Time We Say Goodbye doesn’t have to be soft and gentle but can be sung passionately and louder, like a cry for help.
We have a lovely selection of songs for this term:- It’s Alright with Me; Don’t Get Around Much Any More; A Foggy Day; Every Time We Say Goodbye; and Girl from Ipanema. This last song has given rise to much post class discussion about whether it makes much sense if you substitute ‘Boy’ for ‘Girl’. Joy of joys, we’ve been supplied with the actual verse part for Foggy Day, a challenge indeed, which I may take up. I was amazed to learn that some people in the group didn’t already know Foggy Day and Every time We Say Goodbye, but then I remembered that I was, er, shall we say, a little older than some of the group, who were too young to have been hearing these songs as they grew up. Ah well! And Ipanema is interesting because we can ‘vamp’, which means that the band plays a groove and we start the song when we feel ready, and the same for the ending. Lyndsay our leader warns us not to get too carried away with power, 16 bars is enough time to wait!
I must thank our tutor Lyndsay Hannon for instructing us each week so ably, and also Alan Law on the piano, who has also produced a useful tape for us to sing along to at home.
During the next 2 weeks we’ll be working with ‘our’ band, the lovely Blue Jazz Quintet, to prepare for our end of term gigs at the Newcastle Jazz Cafe, when we each sing about 3 songs, for an audience of family and friends.
And then what happens to us? And Who knows Where or When?
Ann Alex.
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