PORT TOWNSEND — Jazz Port Townsend artistic director John Clayton invites the public to the Jazz Blowout, a day of free workshops and clinics today at Fort Worden.
Jazz artists from across the country will lead these sessions, all aimed at enhancing enjoyment of this American art form.
9 a.m.
• “Wrapping Your Ears Around A Tune”: Learn to internalize the melody and harmony of a standard tune; bring your vocal cords even if you think you can’t sing. Randy Halberstadt teaches in the Wheeler Theater.
• “Your Story”: We all have a story. What parts make up yours? Sonic benchmarks, tales of joy and woe and other elements will be shared. Matt Wilson teaches in Building 204, Room 10.
10:30 a.m.
• “Growing Our Audience by Jazzing Up Pop Tunes in a Hip Way”: A talk with examples played live. Dave Stryker teaches in Building 204, room 20.
• “Piano Summit”: The piano plays many roles in jazz—alone, in an ensemble, playing melodies, chords or both. Jazz Port Townsend artists will demonstrate how they approach the instrument. George Cables, Dawn Clement, Taylor Eigsti, Randy Halberstadt, Tamir Hendelman, John Hansen, Justin Kauflin and Eric Verlinde teach in Building 204 room 10.
1:15 p.m.
• Combo performance and recording session for KNKX’s “School of Jazz”: Trumpeter Terell Stafford’s combo performs for this recording session produced by KNKX’s John Kessler in the Wheeler Theater.
• “Bass Summit”: John Clayton, Chuck Deardorf, Michael Glynn, Jon Hamar, Harish Raghavan, Marlene Rosenberg, Chris Symer, and Katie Thiroux host this master class and discussion of the bass in Building 204, room 10.
3 p.m.
• “Preparing For A College Education In Jazz”: Representatives from Oberlin College and Cornish College of the Arts will answer questions about what schools look for, how to apply and how financial aid works. This session includes time for one-on-one conversations with panelists in Building 204, room 10.
• “What Interaction Looks Like”: Jazz performance is all about interacting with your fellow performers. Sachal Vasandani and Taylor Eigsti, artists with a long history together, talk about how they communicate in this session in Building 204, room 20.
