Thursday, February 11, 2016

Calendar at a glance

March 11: Workshop with Nate Wooley
March 26-April 16: Workshop with Ellwood Epps

Free Workshop with Nate Wooley on March 11!

FONTMusic Canada, SIM and McGill University present a
free workshop with Trumpeter, Composer and Improviser 
Nate Wooley
Friday March 11 at 11am
McGill University, 555 Rue Sherbrooke O, salle C301 Free! Gratuit!

Nate Wooley is one of the most in-demand trumpet players in the international jazz, improv, noise, and new music scenes.  He has performed regularly with such icons as John Zorn, Anthony Braxton, Eliane Radigue, Ken Vandermark, Fred Frith, Evan Parker, and Yoshi Wada, as well as being a collaborator with some of the brightest lights of his generation like Chris Corsano, C. Spencer Yeh, Peter Evans, and Mary Halvorson.

Time Out New York has called him “an iconoclastic trumpeter”, and Downbeat’s Jazz Musician of the Year, Dave Douglas has said, “Nate Wooley is one of the most interesting and unusual trumpet players living today, and that is without hyperbole”.  

The workshop is free, and open to all musicians and music lovers


Workshop with Ellwood Epps starts March 26!

A practical approach to group improvisation with teacher Ellwood Epps
Saturdays, March 26 + April 2, 9, 16, 3-5pm


Come join this unique workshop where you'll unleash your creative spirit and develop skills as an improvising musician!

What is improvisation? Where do we begin? What do we listen for and how do we evaluate what we are playing? Over four Saturday afternoons we'll address these questions through exercises and discussions focusing on listening, developing musical materials in our own style, and investigating strategies and forms for making music. 

The workshop is a great way to meet other musicians and to gain confidence in your creativity. As an ensemble we encourage, challenge, and inspire each other to make music that we can all call our own. Come expand your horizons and get your creativity flowing in a positive and encouraging environment!

All are welcome, no matter what instrument you play, how long you've been playing, or what style of music you might play. This four-day workshop is about making music together in real time.

About the teacher:
Trumpeter Ellwood Epps has directed the Studio d'Improvisation since 2009. He performs across North America with improvisers including William Parker, Steve Lacy, Lori Freedman, and Henry Grimes, and can be heard on 60 recordings. Ellwood has shared his experiences and insights with hundreds of students across Canada. His dedication to sharing knowledge and creating a positive, creative environment in his workshops make the SIM an open door to creativity for amateur and professional musicians alike.


Practical details:
The workshop will take place at La Passe (1214 de la Montagne), a beautiful concert space and an important nerve center of Montreal's creative music scene. Piano, drums, and p.a. system will be provided on-site.

The workshop will be in both French and English, depending on the needs of participants.

The cost of the workshop is $100. The price includes all four afternoon sessions.

One position of helper-participant is available. In exchange for some simple work, this person will be able to take the workshop free of charge. Please inquire if you feel this would make it possible for you to participate.


To watch some videos of a SIM concert, follow these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28n4vdUrHIU

For info on Ellwood Epps, go to www.ellwoodepps.ca

''I love these workshops where we can explore and develop with others and with complete freedom our own freely improvised music.''
-Isabel Serra, saxophonist

'' The workshop has been a great experience in the foundations of improvisation, listening, response, sensitivity, sounds etc. Ellwood thank you again for this great experience and inspiration during these workshops.''
-Francois Corbeil, trumpeter

''A space of sound experimentation, boundary breaking and the bending of preconceived notions ...A great class to step outside the box.''
-Tarek Burgan, guitarist

''The worshop with Ellwood Epps was a way for me to try something new with my voice.''

-Vincent Bergeron, vocalist