Jazz Combo Help

[Tenorsax187]

Hey Everyone!

I'm writing today for some advice. I'm going to be a senior next year in high school, and ever since the end of my freshman year, myself and 3 guys from school have had a jazz combo that performed around our community. They are all wonderful musicians (the guitar player went to the Illinois District Jazz Festival, and our bass player is ranked #1 in the state), but unfortunately all 3 of them graduated, and I'll be the only remaining member come next year.

I really want to keep this group alive more than ever, because our school's administration has all but destroyed our 'in-school' jazz program, leaving us with no other alternative than to form our own group. Even though the combo was always a rhythm section and myself on saxophone, I really want to get a larger combo started. I really want to introduce the other kids at school to jazz, and I'm sure I'll find some interested people. My problem is that the level of musicianship won't be the same (which i'm fine with), but i'm unsure of how to introduce reading lead sheets and improvising to people who have never done either before. Also, does anyone have any suggestions for arranged combo pieces? Any help at all with my situation would be greatly appreciated.

Carolyn

[danielrorke]

Maybe you could get your school to pay for a private tutor to come in every now and again and take your ensemble. Sometimes schools have a small budget for those sort of things if you can get someone on your side. I've even heard of the student council putting up some money. Maybe you could offer to do a fundraising gig in exchange for some investment from them. If all else fails going 5 or 6 ways in a tutor's fee probally wont break your bank.

[tsaxchick]

hi

i can relate to the situation. our bari player graduated, and the bone players in our combo quit (they, unfortunately or fortunately i'm not sure which, "have lives" now. :( ), so i've been stuck figuring out what to do.

ask your band director if he/she has any suggestions on good players. they know who in the band is good. also see if you can make an announcement over the PA system or post flyers. make sure to tell them that you will teach them how to read lead sheets.

once you get people to join, start off slow and be patient. that is my own personal downfall; i am not a patient person by any means! ;). give them time to develop their talents.

be sure to experiment with instrumentation, too. a typical combo may not always work for you. my combo was definately an odd instrumentation; we had 4 saxes, 2 bones, a piano, bass, and percussion. people said it wouldn't work without a trumpet, but we definately proved them wrong! ;)

good luck with your new combo, and i hope this has proved at least somewhat helpful!

[tsaxchick]

Ps. I love tenor and am sax prejudice...sorry!