We’re thrilled you’ll be joining us this summer at the Jazz Institute! Here are the musicians you’ll be working and playing with:
Left to right: Madeline Eastman, Director, SJW Jazz Institute Vocal Program; Dena DeRose, vocal instructor
Left to right: John Wiitala, bass; Lorca Hart, drums; Randy Porter, piano
How to prepare for the Jazz Institute Vocal Program:
- Write down three things you wish to learn during the week; bring this to our first meeting on the first day.
- Make a list of 15 songs that you have memorized; bring this to our first meeting on the first day.
- Decide on five or six of these tunes that you’d like to sing during the week. Pick songs you’re most familiar with. Please have the lyrics memorized before you arrive at the Jazz Institute. Bring charts for these five or six songs to our first meeting on the first day. Make sure the charts are in the keys in which you prefer to sign the tunes. Bring charts in alternate keys as well as charts of alternate tunes. You’ll use your charts at our nightly jam session and in our class sessions. If you don’t have any charts, don’t worry!
Learn the following five songs:
A Felicidade
Anthropology
If I Should Lose You
Never Let Me Go
Tenor Madness
Music and lyrics to all five songs:
Listen to some great recordings of all five songs:
Download sing-along backing tracks:
Anthropology
from Jamey Aebersold Volume 8.
Tenor Madness
from Jamey Aebersold Volume 123.
The first day (Sunday): Meet with Madeline & Dena
You’ll meet with Madeline and Dena at 1:00 pm in room 102. This is not an audition, it’s just a chance to get to know each other, go over your goals for the week, and look over the songs you want to sing. You will receive your own personalized schedule for the week. Please bring your song list, charts, and your list of goals in writing!
Sing Like A Horn Audition:
For vocalists interested in being part of a combo, the Sing Like A Horn program can be a lot of fun. We have room for one or two qualified vocalists to participate in faculty-led student combos, in which the vocalists fill the roles of horn players, singing the melodies and scatting solos. Participation requires an advanced sense of jazz harmony, some soloing skills, and some sight-singing skills. It’s one of the most challenging (and fun) things a developing jazz singer can do!
If you’d like to audition, just let Madeline know on Sunday @1pm and she’ll tell you where to go. Bring one song you’d like to sing. Preferably a swing or bop tune. Be prepared to sight-sing an unfamiliar chart and scat sing over the changes.
