A Love Supreme: The History and Appreciation of Jazz



Overview

Held in conjunction with the WEA at the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts.

What is jazz? Where did it come from? How did it develop? How can we develop and increase our enjoyment and appreciation of this exhilarating, yet sometimes seemingly intimidating art form?

Presented by one of the most highly respected jazz double bass players in the country, this day school will look at the origins of jazz music, provide some strategies for listening to it, and survey the main styles of the genre in a way that is accessible both to those keen to ‘get into’ the music, and those who already enjoy listening to it.

Illustrated with iconic recordings, ‘live’ demonstrations, this event could be the start of a lifelong love of jazz. 

A concert from The Kershaw/Vintskevich Quartet in the evening will follow. Tickets for this can be purchased separately from the Norden Farm box office in advance from September 2023 (01628 788997; Norden Farm website), or during the day school if places remain. 

Programme details

10am:
Registration

10.15am: New Orleans and the Birth of Jazz
A look at how diverse musical elements came together in New Orleans to create the music known as ‘jazz’

11.15am:
Break

11.40am: How to Listen to Jazz
Exploring different ways in which we can listen to, understand, and enjoy the way jazz music work

12.40pm:  Lunch break

1.40pm: Dixieland to Swing
Listening, analysis and appreciation of the development of the early styles of jazz.

2.40pm:  Break

3pm: Be-Bop and Beyond
Listening, analysis and appreciation of the development of some of the more modern forms of jazz up to the present day.

4pm:  End of day school

Please note: lunch can be pre-ordered from the café-bar. The consumption of your own food and drink is not permitted on the premises at Norden Farm.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee (includes tea/coffee) £40.00
Course fee (online attendance per household, £1 booking fee) £41.00

Tutor

Dr Steve Kershaw

“Quite apart from being one of the country's best bass players, with a style both hugely propulsive and sensitively melodic when required, Steve has also become a musical catalyst, bringing together players and styles from all over the world” (Jazz Views). He graduated from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, USA, as Outstanding Student of the Year in 1996. Since then, he has played in over 30 countries with an eclectic host of luminaries ranging from the mainstream talents of Jamie Cullum, through the contemporary excellence of Bobby Wellins, to the avant-garde extremes of Evan Parker. Steve’s publications include A New Tune a Day: Bass Guitar, and among his large catalogue of recordings his Anglo-Scandinavian trio Stekpanna’s All For a Beautiful Life album was selected in the critics’ top ten records of the year by Jazz Views Magazine. The eponymous Latin From the North shared the same accolade, as did his trio release Under a Different Sky, with Leonid and Nick Vintskevich.

Application

To join in person at Norden Farm:

Steph Diggon (WEA), 19, Gorse Road, Cookham, SL6 9LL.

Email: weamhead@gmail.com or Telephone: 01628 563676.

Please contact Steph Diggon to check course availability if you wish to attend the study day at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts. If places are available, please complete the application form she will send you and indicate how you prefer to be contacted. We need your phone number or email address so we can get in touch with you if needed.

Please complete a separate application form for each place and email to Steph Diggon or post to the address above, paying either by bank transfer to Workers’ Educational Association Maidenhead sort code 60-30-06 account number 26604507 with your own name as reference, or by cheque payable to WEA Maidenhead Branch.

If the day is cancelled a full refund will be given. Please contact Steph if you wish to cancel.

To watch online via a livestream:

You will need to enrol direct with the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts following this link: https://norden.farm/events/a-love-supreme-the-history-and-appreciation-of-jazz-live-stream

In their confirmation email, Norden Farm will send links to their Live Streaming Guide, with information on how to test the stream in advance and what to do should you experience problems on the day. 

This event features a live chat feature alongside the stream, so please use this to ask questions. Steve Kershaw will answer these briefly at the start of the following session. 

Please contact Steph Diggon for course materials (e.g. agenda, reading list etc) when you book and with any questions.

You can cancel your online place with Norden Farm up to 24 hours beforehand and the course fee (less £1 booking fee) will be refunded in full. 

Please note that this course will not be recorded.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support