Join us
Next retreat:
Summer 18th August 2024 - 22nd August 2024
The Jazz and Blues Retreat is inclusive and welcomes musicians at any level, from beginners to aficionados. The aim of the course is to enable participants to socialise with their musical peers, learn from experts, and perform in a friendly and unintimidating environment.
Participants can expect to enhance their improvisation skills over a jazz/blues foundation, and develop their musical knowledge through sessions including jazz harmony, arranging, improvisation workshops, one-to-one lessons with an expert tutor, group sessions with an instrumental tutor, and an opportunity to play in ensemble sessions and a big band.
Every evening we run the Jazz and Blues Retreats Club; an informal jam session with an opportunity to socialise, perform, and listen with like-minded people.
We welcome players of any jazz or blues musical instruments: saxophone, bass, piano, trumpet, guitar, drums, trombone, as well as vocalists.
Sample Itinerary
On arrival day, participants can arrive from 9am and benefit from access to the facilities, prior to commencement of the course with our Welcome Meeting at 11am.
We meet and greet participants on arrival day, allowing time to connect and socialise with other participants before the course begins at 11am.
On departure day, the course will finish at 11:15am after our farewell meeting. Rooms must be vacated by 10:30am.
8:15am - 9:00am - Breakfast
9:15am - 10:25am - Group learning session with instrumental tutors:
saxes/ woodwinds, singers, bass players, guitarists, brass, drummers or keyboard players
10:25am - 10:55am - Break
10:55am - 12:15pm - Play with an Ensemble group, practicing songs for performance some evenings at the Jazz and Blues Club
12:15pm - 12:30pm - Break
12:30pm - 1:10pm - Optional sessions: Jazz theory classes from Beginner to advanced, 1 -on- 1 sessions with tutors
1:15pm - 2:00pm - Lunch
2:15pm - 3:30pm - Play with an Improvisation Group, developing your improvisation skills and preparing you to perform some evenings at the Jazz and Blues Club
3:30pm - 4:00pm - Break
4:00pm - 5:30pm - Optional additional sessions: big band, singers' sessions, jam with tutors, 1 -on- 1 sessions. Or take a break and a stroll around the grounds.
6:15pm - 7:00pm - Supper
7:15pm - 11:00pm - Jazz and Blues Club - perform and be entertained by other musicians in an inspiring, supportive environment. Perform with your Ensemble and Improvisation groups on some evenings. After hours socialise with tutors and participants into the wee smalls in the common room at the residence hall.
Fee August 2024
£730.00
The total cost of the retreat includes en-suite accommodation (single occupancy), meals, full use of included facilities, and all tutorials and group sessions.
(4 Nights en-suite accommodation, 5 Day Retreat)
£730.00 (Deposit of £190.00 to confirm your place)
