Stay at Home Session - Bass Panel
We convened a conclave of local bassists to give the lowdown on all things bass. Check out Aaron Brenton joined by John Christensen, Ben Ferris, Laurie Lang, and Mike Hill. Thanks to all involved!
During the coronavirus pandemic, MJJ is presenting FREE weekly “MJJ Stay At Home” sessions with local jazz luminaries. Each meeting takes place over Zoom, so if you are interested, email aaronbass514@gmail.com so you can receive the link and password. While the Stay AT Home sessions are free, we welcome donations via PayPal to help us keep the music going!
We record each meeting, so if you don’t want to show up on a video, make sure to enter the chat muted and without your camera on. (If you can’t make the meeting live, you can always check out the recording here or on Facebook.)
The meetings are limited to 100 participants, so be sure to get your inquires in ASAP.
Stay at Home Session - Chris Rottmayer with Aaron Brenton
On May 13, 2020 we basked in the brilliance of Chris Rottmayer. Catch a glimmer here!
Thanks to Chris and our own Aaron for making us better musicians!
During the coronavirus pandemic, MJJ is presenting FREE weekly “MJJ Stay At Home” sessions with local jazz luminaries. Each meeting takes place over Zoom, so if you are interested, email aaronbass514@gmail.com so you can receive the link and password. While the Stay AT Home sessions are free, we welcome donations via PayPal to help us keep the music going!
We record each meeting, so if you don’t want to show up on a video, make sure to enter the chat muted and without your camera on. (If you can’t make the meeting live, you can always check out the recording here or on Facebook.)
The meetings are limited to 100 participants, so be sure to get your inquires in ASAP.
Stay at Home Session - Joey B. Banks with Aaron Brenton
Thanks to special guest, drummer Joey B. Banks, and our own Aaron Brenton for a killer "MJJ Stay At Home" session on April 29, 2020! Joey shared great advice on being a professional musician and playing his specially selected tune of the week.
During the coronavirus pandemic, MJJ is presenting FREE weekly "MJJ Stay At Home" sessions with local jazz luminaries. Each meeting takes place over Zoom, so if you are interested, email aaronbass514@gmail.com so you can receive the link and password. While the Stay AT Home sessions are free, we welcome donations via PayPal to help us keep the music going!
We record each meeting, so if you don't want to show up on a video, make sure to enter the chat muted and without your camera on. (If you can't make the meeting live, you can always check out the recording here or on Facebook.)
The meetings are limited to 100 participants, so be sure to get your inquires in ASAP.
Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and playing a musical instrument
Stay at Home Session - Dan Wallach with Aaron Brenton
In our inaugural Stay at Home Session, bassist Aaron Brenton interviews the one and only Dan Wallach on his life in jazz. Dan then teaches a lesson on our tune of the week, "Autumn Leaves." Thanks to Dan and Aaron for enlightening us!
Mar. 11 - Laurie Lang 5-6PM MJJ Workshop Session
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
We will review and play around with notes you already know, learn to open up our ears with some call and response, and we will keep it FUN, simple, elegant, and cool!
- Learn a blues scale in Concert C: C Eb F Gb G Bb C (Bb instruments: D F G Ab A C D) (Eb instruments: A C D D# E G A);
- Learn Duke Ellington's "C-Jam Blues" (obviously in the key of C) (chart below);
- Learn any other 12-bar blues melody you'd like and the blues scale in that key.
Nov. 13 - John Christensen 5-6PM MJJ Workshop Session
John Christensen also attended this improvisation intensive in August in NYC and he will teach from his perspective ways to approach improvisation-- DON'T miss-- mark your calendars for November 13 and be ready to hit and learn at 5PM sharp!
Dave Cooper taught part 1 on Oct 9th, after attending a 2-week improvisation intensive in New York City (SIM), would like to explore rethinking and assessing how we actually practice jazz improvisation. This will give you other ways to think of improvisation and re-ignite your practice routine. Wednesday, 5-6pm October 9th at Common Ground
October 9, Wednesday, 5-6PM David Cooper "How to open up your improvisation and energize your practice regimen"
Trumpet & Jazz Studies UW-Platteville
Fall MJJ Workshops 2nd Wednesdays 5-6pm at Common Ground
Take a group lesson in jazz improvisation. OMJ has merged with Madison Jazz Jam with a new look and new energy!
The regular Jazz Jam will continue the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month from 6-9PM at Common Ground Middleton
Workshops will teach a jazz concept through a chosen song from 5-6pm in the upper room at Common Ground on September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 12. Instructors will be Laurie Lang, Dave Cooper, Paul Dietrich, Tony Barba, Ben Ferris, and others.
September 11 Laurie Lang will teach about using a pedal tone for improvisation using the Thad Jones tune - "A Child Is Born" 
Session 5/5 - Last Summer OMJ/MJJ workshop
Summer OMJ Session #5: Wednesday, August 28: Workshop 4-6pm & Jam 6:30-9pm
WORKSHOP 4:00 - 6:00pm - Educator: Rick Flowers (drummer/multi-instrumentalist)https://www.facebook.com/rick.flowers1
Theme of the Day: It's All about GROOVE!
WORKSHOP 4:00 - 6:00pm ($25 fee: includes group lesson & dinner, located in the upstairs room at Common Ground Middleton) Pay online here: Workshop fee or in check or cash the day of.
What to expect in this session: Rick will teach about "groove", how to make a melody or rhythm groove, how to "lock - in" with other musicians, how "dancing" helps to feel the direction and energy of the music. This is gonna be a fun one!
Bring your voice and/or instrument. If you play keys or drums bring a small keyboard or melodica, hand drum or snare and cymbal would be helpful.
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6:20 PM Showcase - a performance of what was learned in the workshop will happen sometime during this hour if you want to invite people to hear you perform and hang out.
6:30-9PM JAZZ JAM– FREE & open to all in Main room at Common Ground (There is no charge for the jam– open to all and no need to register ahead of time, come for 30 minutes or the whole session, bring the whole family or come alone—we need an audience to buy food and drink to make this a successful event) There is a sign up sheet near the front for all who would be interested in performing.
For weekly updates follow this blog: https://improvmusicworkshop.wordpress.com/
Also Follow Our Middleton Jazz Jam on
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OMJJam/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ourmiddletonjazzjam/
OMJ is merging with: Madison Jazz Jam (new site is under construction)
More about the Workshop
$25 fee for the Group Jazz Lesson & Dinner with Jazz friends.
Pay online here: Workshop fee Price includes instruction & dinner.
This will be a safe and fun atmosphere to learn more about jazz and improvising. If $25 fee is more than you can afford, PLEASE ask for sliding scale price and/or full scholarship. (text: laurie at 608-332-1408)
OMJ Summer Session 4/5 -Wednesday, August 14- Workshop: 4-6pm Jam: 6:30-9pm
Session 4, August 14, 4-6pm, Wednesday
Workshop Educator: Lynette Margulies (vocal/vocal & instrumental improvisation) https://www.facebook.com/lynette.margulies
Lynette will explore using your "voice" and how to find your spot in a jazz combo. She will teach tools for listening and "locking-in" with your accompaniment and improvisation. This will be a very fun and easy way to find your voice with others. All you need is your "voice" (might be an instrument or your actual voice) and an attitude to have some fun with music.
SIGN UP NOW:
2019 OMJ Workshop, Jam and Showcase – Summer Group Jazz Improvisation Lessons
4-6pm, Wednesdays at Common Ground & 6-9 Showcase & Jam
For weekly updates follow this blog: https://improvmusicworkshop.wordpress.com/
Also Follow Our Middleton Jazz Jam on:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OMJJam/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ourmiddletonjazzjam/
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SUMMER WEDNESDAY FORMAT
WORKSHOP 4:00 – 6:00pm
What to expect in each session: (located upstairs room at Common Ground Middleton)
Bring your voice and/or instrument. If you play keys or drums bring a small keyboard or melodica, hand drum or snare and cymbal.
- Warm-ups: a variety of long tones, scales, arpeggios, call & response, maybe listen to a featured recording, discussion and ear training with instruments and/or voice
- Learning the melody and harmony of selected tune
- “hands on” playing/learning to improvise in the jazz experience
- learning from “well-seasoned” professional jazz musicians and educators
6-6:30 PM Showcase performance of featured song ~(10-15 song with all participants soloing) and then showcase students that want to perform solos, duos, and trio pieces, while everyone enjoys CG Dinner together with jazz friends (hang out with your friends and eat a dinner provided by Common Ground, included in the session fee)
6:30 -9PM JAM– FREE & open to all
Houseband for the Jam: Lynette -vocals, Jane Reynolds - piano, John Becker - drums, Laurie Lang - bass
in Main room at Common Ground (There is no charge for the jam– open to all and no need to register ahead of time, come for 30 minutes or the whole session, bring the whole family or come alone—we need an audience to buy food and drink to make this a successful event)
4-6pm : Summer Group Jazz Improvisation Lessons (Located at the upper room at Common Ground Middleton)
$25 fee for the Group Jazz Lesson & Dinner with Jazz friends.
Price includes instruction & dinner.
This will be a safe and fun atmosphere to learn more about jazz and improvising. If $25 fee is more than you can afford, PLEASE ask for sliding scale price and/or full scholarship. (text: laurie at 608-332-1408)
Pay in advance (before June 26) and get a discount: