Musicality Workshop with Malcolm Earle-Smith & Simon Selmon

Description

Musicality Workshop with musician Malcolm Earle-Smith & Swing dancer Simon Selmon

You can expect expert guidance from musician Malcolm Earle-Smith, senior lecturer in Jazz at Trinity Laban Conservatoire & international Swing dancer Simon Selmon, who will both bring oodles of experience to share with you. They have put together a unique workshop that offers invaluable insights and techniques that you won't find in regular classes. There will be some music theory, but mostly it's a hands on experience. Using both Solo Jazz & Lindy Hop you will explore the music using rhythm, scatting and movement exercises to become more musical and creative in your dancing. With a mix of group exercises and one-to-one feedback, you'll have plenty of opportunities to dance and develop your skills to both recorded and live music.

Topics to be covered:

- A history of how Jazz music and dance developed side-by-side
- What makes music Swing & how it affects the way that you dance
- How to listen and what to listen for
- How to respond to what you hear starting with examples of solo Jazz and mini Lindy Hop choreographies leading to your own improvisation
- Interaction between musicians and dancers and how to improvise in the moment
- Learn about the Melody & Rhythm, Riffs, Pitch & Phrasing
- Call & Response
- Copy & trade dance moves with the musicians & fellow dancers

To get the most out of this class, we recommend it for intermediate dancers and above (fast beginners with some experience are welcome, but not suitable for beginners).

Location: Studio 1, City Sport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Map
Tubes: Barbican, Old Street

Limited numbers. Pre-bookings only (no drop-ins).
Cost: Advanced £35 + bf

About your teachers:

Malcolm Earle-Smith - a trombonist and singer in many of London's popular Swing dance bands as well as currently Senior Lecturer in Jazz at Trinity Laban Conservatoire (since 2005) where, amongst other things, he teaches Jazz History and directs the ‘Fletcher Henderson” project, a 13 piece group specialising in 1930s dance music. He has performed with a variety of artists including Kenny Baker, John Dankworth, Henry Lowther, Martin Speake and Liam Noble. He has also worked with soul artists Ronnie Spector and Martha Reeves and has twice toured with Bryan Ferry, featuring on two of his albums As Time Goes By, and The Jazz Age. More recently, Malcolm has gigged widely with the acclaimed Basin Street Brawlers and Three Way Stretch, a trio which also features Liam Noble and Dave Wickins, and draws on a wide range of jazz styles to achieve its unique sound. As a vocalist, Malcolm has developed a distinctive, swinging style and an exciting approach to scat singing. His most recent release, Vocal Intent (April 2022) is Malcolm’s first all-vocal album and also features four former students, all now highly respected performers on UK jazz scene and beyond ".....breathes new life into old standards with huge flair....Malcolm Earle Smith, The New King of Scat” Dave Gelly, Guardian, April 2022. Malcolm is a passionate educator with 30 years of experience work in schools, adult education, summer schools and higher education.

Simon Selmon - Simon is an international award winning Swing dance teacher who founded SwingdanceUK in 1986 following a trip to NY where he met many original dancers and instantly wanted to share the music & dance that had intoxicated him so much. Simon has seen many changes in the dance over the years and is a strong advocate about the importance of teaching its history & social context to become an all rounded dancer. His mission is to share some of that original spirit that he found in the 'old timers', keeping the traditions of the dance alive whilst taking it into the 21 century to give dancers the best opportunity to gain the most out of their dancing. Simon has choreographed and performed for stage, film & TV. He has been a UK and US dance champion and a World Lindy Hop Judge.

For info on other events, online & live classes see our website: www.swingdanceuk.com