Guest Faculty: Geoffrey Keezer
Workshop:
October 29 – November 1, 2009
Geoffrey Keezer solo piano concert:
7:30 pm, October 31, 2009 Joseph F. Wheeler Theater
Purchase tickets today!
This intensive is designed for experienced improvisers (instrumental and vocal) looking for specific suggestions as well as more abstract concepts to further their skills. In addition to playing with other participants and receiving coaching in a master class setting, significant time will be given to discussions about improvising and being a musician. Geoffrey asks all participants to come prepared to play All The Things You Are from memory (or at least to do so fluently from a lead sheet), as well as I Got Rhythm and standard blues changes.
A personal message from Geoffrey Keezer:
“Join me for an advanced improvisation workshop in beautiful Port Townsend, WA Oct 29-Nov 1, 2009. Drawing on 20 years experience touring and recording with the greatest artists in jazz, I’m offering students a chance to interact with me on a one-to-one basis. My free-flowing, inclusive, positive teaching style encourages and empowers young players to access their highest musical and creative potential, while giving down-to-earth advice on all aspects of the jazz business.”
- Register online today, or call Gregg Miller at 360-385-3102 x109 with any questions.
Who should attend
This intensive workshop is appropriate for intermediate to advanced instrumentalists and vocalists. You should have solid skills, and be fluent with scales and arpeggios. You should have experience improvising. Space in the intensive is limited. An audition is not required, but your acceptance into the intensive will depend on the answers you give us to the questions below.
- The registration deadline is September 4, 2009. A $100 deposit is due with your application. If we’re not able to accept you your deposit will be refunded.
- You will be notified of acceptance by September 10, 2009.
- For those who are accepted, payment in full is due September 18, 2009.
- A limited number of spots may be available for non-playing auditors. Please indicate if you would be willing to attend as an auditor.
We hope you can join us. This is a premium experience, and as such, we will limit the size of the gathering to ensure a peak experience. Your total cost is $625. That covers tuition, housing, and food.
- Register online today, or call Gregg Miller at 360-385-3102 x109 with any questions.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 29
- 3:30 – 5:30: Check-in
- 5:30 – 6:30: Dinner
- 7 – 9:30: Welcome and first session
- 9:30: Reception
Friday, October 30
- 9:30a – 11:30 pm: Talk by Geoffrey and coaching
- 12 – 1 pm: Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:30 pm: Play with other participants
- 4:00 – 5:30 pm: Talk by Geoffrey and coaching
- 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
- 7 – 9 pm: Free time—jam or relaxSaturday, October 31
Saturday, October 31
- 9:30a – 11:30 pm: Talk by Geoffrey and coaching
- 12 – 1 pm: Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:30 pm: Play with other participants
- 4:00 – 5:30 pm: Talk by Geoffrey and coaching
- 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
- 7 :30 Public Concert by Geoffrey, free for participants
Sunday, November 1
9:00 – 10:30 final session
11am checkout
FACULTY
His professional career has spanned many projects and genres. In 1992, Geoffrey performed Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue” with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri.
In addition to his 11 solo releases and constant touring, Geoffrey has also had compositions commissioned by the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Saint Joseph Ballet, Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the Zeltsman Marimba Festival, and was a recipient of Chamber Music America’s 2007 New Works grant. He has also played bass in a rock band and contributed artwork to David Mack’s comic “Kabuki”.
Keezer continues to work in partnership with world class musicians from all genres. His 1998 release, “Turn Up The Quiet”, featured Grammy winning vocalist Diana Krall along with Joshua Redman and Christian McBride. His two releases in 2003, “Falling Up” and “Sublime: Honoring the Music of Hank Jones,” were both collaborative efforts. “Sublime” is an ambitious set of piano duets with Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Benny Green and Mulgrew Miller. “Falling Up” features several pieces where Geoffrey worked in tandem with Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Keola Beamer.
His 2005 release, “Wildcrafted”, captures the fire and raw energy of Keezer’s trio live in concert at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. Keezer’s latest musical adventure, “Áurea,” is a multinational Afro-Peruvian/jazz recording project featuring some of today’s hottest players from New York City and Lima, Peru.