Festival Workshops - 2024

Workshop enrollment is available now - through the box office 360-221-8268

Thursday, September 19

 

Lisa Liu | 10:00 AM, LUMC
Swing 42

Lisa will lead you in exploring various ways to play the beloved I, vi, ii-7, V7 chord progression, and discover how these techniques can enhance other tunes as well. Whether you’re a seasoned guitarist or just starting out, this workshop promises to elevate your musical skills!

Friday, September 20

 

Robin Nolan | 10:00 AM, LUMC
Simple Soloing System

Join acclaimed guitarist Robin Nolan for an immersive workshop on the 3-Step Simple Soloing System. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate guitarist, this session is designed to empower you with the tools you need to improvise freely over chord progressions

What You’ll Learn:

  1. Master the Basics: Understand the fundamental principles of soloing and gain confidence in your playing.

  2. Apply It to Classics: Dive into iconic Gypsy Jazz tunes like “Minor Swing,” “Joseph Joseph,” and “Bossa Dorado.”

  3. Improve Your Skills: Discover an effective approach to soloing that will elevate your playing.

Lisa Liu | 10:00 AM, LUMC
Sweet Georgia Brown

In this workshop, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of dominant 7 chords. Specifically, we’ll examine various approaches to playing over the extended 4-bar duration of each dominant 7 chord.

Robin Nolan | 11:30 AM, LUMC
Gypsy Jazz Secrets

Join Robin Nolan for an action packed session full of Gypsy Jazz Secrets to help you improve in all areas of your guitar playing. You’ll be learning Gypsy Jazz Rhythms, Lush Chords, Hot Licks & Easy Arpeggios the fun way in this inclusive and hands on workshop.

 

Saturday, September 21

 

Michael Horowitz | 10:00 AM, LUMC

Gypsy Picking/Right Hand Technique

The right hand-picking technique is one of the most demanding aspects of playing Gypsy Jazz. This workshop will teach you the rest-stroke picking technique used by Django Reinhardt, Stochelo Rosenberg, Biréli Lagrène, and nearly every other Gypsy jazz guitarist. Learning to play with rest strokes will give you the “Gypsy sound” by dramatically improving your volume, speed, and tone. To help put the rest-stroke technique in context, students will learn several of the most commonly used Gypsy phrases, arpeggios, and chromatic runs, which do not appear in Michael’s book “Gypsy Picking.” Students will also learn the basic principles of efficient left-hand fingerings, which, when used in conjunction with the rest-stroke picking technique, allow one to play with improved speed and articulation. These examples will be included in handouts written in both standard notation and tablature. Michael Horowitz is the founder of the publishing company and Gypsy Jazz retail store DjangoBooks.com and is the author of the books “Gypsy Picking,” “Gypsy Rhythm,” and “Unaccompanied Django.”

WORKSHOP FEE | $50

Craig Sharmat | 10:00 AM, LUMC

DJSemetics Can Explode Your Creativity!

75 minutes can transform the way you approach the guitar! This workshop starts with simple “musical fragments”  and then has the potential to grow your playing while expanding your mind. The system is an easy way to create more than the usual re-hashed licks, but more a constant flow of creative ideas that are simple to play in the Gypsy Jazz style. You can use the examples given at the workshop, but the concept is to spawn fresh ideas that won’t take a long time to master. You can keep this system simple or go down the rabbit hole, and it can take you super deep harmonically. We will also cover “Sequential Chromaticism & quote; this year (sounds ominous but an easy concept!) There is course material with this class that will be handed out... minimum level, intermediate to advanced... no beginners.

Note this is an update to last year’s workshop. This year’s workshop expands on last year’s material.

Serge Camps | 11:00 AM, LUMC

Gypsy Jazz & Parisian Waltz accompaniment

Serge propose to « teach » Gypsy music, gypsy jazz and Parisian waltzes with the technique of bass and chord (bass accord en François)

Angelo DeBarre | 12:00 PM, LUMC

Angelo Way of Improvisation (right and left-hand techniques)

Join virtuoso guitarist Angelo Debarre as he shares his unique approach to improvisation and unveils the secrets of his impeccable right and left hand technique. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a true master!

Sunday, September 22

 

MASTER CLASS | Gypsy Jazz Trio | 11:00 AM, WICA MAINSTAGE

Playing Jazz and Gypsy in Parisian style

Join the Gypsy Guitars trio as they delve into the captivating world of jazz and gypsy music, Parisian style. Drawing inspiration from their acclaimed ‘Gypsy Guitars’ album, they’ll share their unique approach to these genres, weaving together soulful melodies and intricate rhythms. Don’t miss this enchanting musical journey!

  • $50 to Participate | $25 to Watch