Young musicians encouraged to join Jazz Juniors improvisation workshops

Jazzlife Alliance’s Jazz Juniors, now in its second year, is recruiting for a second ensemble and this month will be hosting four jazz improvisation workshops with David Lyttle in Draperstown, Enniskillen, Belfast and Newry. Young musicians of all ages and musical abilities are encouraged to come along, try out improvisation and consider applying for Jazz Juniors. Participation is totally free and is open to all musicians under 18 who should bring their own instruments.

David Lyttle commented, “I’m very grateful to be part of Jazz Juniors and to see so much support and positivity around it. Our current nine students have so much potential and we are excited to welcome more young people to the scheme in September.”

The Jazz Juniors ensemble rehearse with David Lyttle once a month at The MAC in Belfast and they also perform in concerts as David’s support act. The opportunity is open to all levels of musical ability, including total beginners to jazz. The main requirement of the scheme is that participants are very serious about music, very passionate about music and interested in learning jazz.

Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said,

“Thanks to National Lottery players, young people are being given the opportunity to learn new skills and jazz from an internationally acclaimed jazz musician. The Arts Council is committed to supporting opportunities for our young people to access and participate in high quality music making and Jazz Juniors is the perfect platform to nurture and develop gifted young musicians.”

Jazz improvisation workshops will take place at:

• Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen—August 20, 11:30 am
• Newry Town Hall, Newry—August 20, 4 pm
• The MAC, Belfast—August 21, noon
• Glasgowbury, Draperstown—August 21, 4 pm

More information is available at www.jazzlifealliance.org and places can reserved by contacting join@jazzlifealliance.org