Acclaimed singer/songwriter Rebecca Martin returns to SJW this summer to lead an expanded program for aspiring songwriters. Taking place during Jazz Residency (July 31 – August 5), the SJW Songwriting Program offers students an opportunity to become immersed in the craft of creating and performing original songs with Rebecca and two additional rising stars of the New York jazz and songwriting scene: Gretchen Parlato and Becca Stevens. Collectively, these three talented musicians have collaborated with the greatest talents in the songwriting and jazz worlds today, including Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Shorter, Paul Motian, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Taylor Eigsti, Larry Grenadier, and many more.

Open to all instrumentalists and vocalists, expanded Songwriting Program offers a full schedule of classes and activities, including a daily theory class focused on turning original songs into charts that any musician can read, a daily masterclass that addresses many topics related to the art of songwriting, rehearsals, and workshops where participants can share ideas and get feedback from fellow students and Songwriting faculty. Students will perform their songs-in-progress for each other each day, under the direction of Rebecca, Gretchen, and Becca, and with support from other Jazz Residency faculty such as Larry Grenadier, Reid Anderson, and Jenny Scheinman.

Please note that students enrolled in the Songwriting Program have activities during both the early and late combo periods, so they will not also be able to play in a student combo or participate in the Vocal Performance program.

The Songwriting Program will conclude at the end of the week-long workshop with public performances at a popular venue on the Stanford University campus on Friday, August 5; please note that Songwriting Program participants will not perform at the Thursday night Participant Recital.

Rebecca says the goals of the Songwriting Program are “to inspire, instruct, facilitate, and empower songwriters to craft meaningful songs through self exploration, collaborations, and band performances.”

For more information about the Songwriting Program, please write toIvor Holloway.

Click on a name to learn more about Rebecca Martin, Gretchen Parlato, and Becca Stevens.

To register, click on the Register button above and be sure to check the Songwriting option.