MINGUS MUSIC WORKSHOPS

A full list of compositions that may be included is listed bellow.

WORKSHOPS SUNDAYS 2-4pm

2024  Oct 20th, Nov 17th

2025 Jan 19th, Feb 16th, Mar 16th & 23rd

Friday April 11th 8pm Celebratory performance

WHO ARE THESE WORKSHOPS FOR?

These workshops are open to musicians of all ages. Previous experience of playing jazz is not required but participants should be fluent on their chosen instrument and able to read music. 

WORKSHOP LEADER:

Matt Ratcliffe is an accomplished jazz pianist, organist and teacher. He is also Derby Jazz Director of Education and participation. He leads his own bands and works in many others. A graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire, where he studied with Liam Noble, he teaches in schools, universities across Nottinghamshire  and privately in Derbyshire

OBJECTIVES:

• To deepen our knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the music of Charles Mingus, it’s creators and how by extension we can deepen our, knowledge, understanding and musicianship through use of the ideas and approaches found therein.

AIMS:

• Deep listening- Each session will include a group listen to one or more of the tracks from the albums and other versions of the piece or related material. Also listening to each other and responding creatively and positively to thoughts and ideas presented. 
• Analysis - Forms, harmony/chords, improvisation, rhythm, ensemble playing/ comping with scores (provided).
• Ensemble playing - the role of the rhythm section and how we interact with one another in performance/improvisation, group improvisation and the use of folk forms, blues and gospel and how this relates to the music.
• Improvisation – the language of Blues, Gospel and Jazz in Mingus’ music and the use of traditional African American folk forms as deliberate devices to shape the improvisation.
• Performance - recreation of a piece and how to find the spirit of the music through rhythm, improvisation and group dynamics.

A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF COMPOSITIONS THAT MAY BE STUDIED

• Pithicanthrobus Erectus from PITHICANTHROBUS ERECTUS 1956
• Work Song from MINGUS AT THE BOHEMIA 1956
• Nlue Cee from THE CLOWN 1957
• Celia from EAST COASTING 1957
• Better Get It In Your Soul, Boogie Stop Shuffle, Fables of Faubus, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, Self Portrait in Three Colours MINGUS AH UM 1959
• Nostalgia in Times Square THE IMMORTAL 1959 SESSIONS
• E's Flat, Ah's Flat Too, Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting, Moanin, My Jelly Roll Soul BLUES & ROOTS 1960
• Oh Lord, Don't Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me, Peggy's Blue Skylight MINGUS OH YEA H 1962