(April 18 - June 6) THE JAM SESSION: A JAZZ ARTIST INCUBATOR

Mondays, April 18-June 6 (8 weeks, 6-7:30pm)
$100/$90 Members
Class limit: 12  /  Minimum: 7

It is where jazz artists go to "cut their chops," to experiment, to spread their improvisatory wings, and to gain ensemble experience.  It is the essential cradle of spontaneity, invention, inspiration.  Listening to a jam session, one might never know if the artists had played together before or if they even knew one another, but that doesn't matter---because they all know the basic rules!  How does this work?  How does one learn the universal language, the rules, the protocols of jamming together?  Where does one start?  In this course, we will de-mystify, and prepare you for jamming with other jazz lovers.  Using standard tunes that are part of the standard jazz repertoire, we will learn how to approach and dive into jazz charts, how to communicate with others in the ensemble, how to know when to "comp" and when to "solo" and many more spoken an unspoken rules of the JAM SESSION.  Singers, players, all levels welcome.  Let's jam!

In keeping with the CoVid Safe policies of the Outpost Performance Space, proof of vaccination is required in order to participate in the in-person classes. Proof of negative PCR test will also be accepted. Masks must be worn by all who can do so and still play their instruments (i.e. drummers, bass players, keyboard players, etc).  In addition, an effort will be made to maximize the distance between participants in the in-person classes!

An alumnus of New England Conservatory, Jim Ahrend moved to Albuquerque from New York in 2008 where he quickly established himself as one of the busiest and most respected pianists in New Mexico, playing alongside local legends Bobby Shew, Doug Lawrence, and many others. A frequent performer at the Outpost, he has been a terrific recent addition to the Outpost education team.

Rodney Bowe has been a popular, working, New Mexico-based professional bassist, vocalist and band leader for over 40 years.  He studied jazz bass at Eastern New Mexico University and the University of New Mexico and has studied with Ray Brown, Abraham Laboriel, and Gary Willis.  Bowe recently performed with the nationally acclaimed Ron McCurdy Langston Hughes Project.