This hands-on masterclass uses two timeless jazz standards—George Gershwin’s haunting “Summertime” and Billy Strayhorn’s energetic “Take the ‘A’ Train”—as vehicles for improvisation. Whether you want to break free from reading charts or expand your current soloing vocabulary, this session provides actionable tools to elevate your playing.
Melody: Learn how to embellish, fragment, and paraphrase the theme to keep your solos deeply connected to the song.
Harmony: Decode the underlying chord progressions, navigate key changes, and learn to recognise cycle of 5ths movement.
Rhythm: Master swing feel, syncopation, and rhythmic phrasing to create solos that drive and groove.
Improvisation: Develop your musical storytelling through call-and-response, motivic development, and aural awareness.
About Play Jazz! workshops Play Jazz! is a series of introductory workshops focusing on specific aspects of jazz improvisation, running on the first Saturday of each month (except January and August). Each workshop is different. The Play Jazz! workshops are intended to appeal to a wide range of musicians including those who
play other styles of music but are new to jazz
play written music but want to learn to improvise
have not played for a while and want to refresh their skills
want to meet and play with other jazz musicians.
Suitable for all instrumentalists and improvising vocalists. Minimum age 16.
About learning and participation at The Globe You will need to bring all the equipment you need including instruments, amplifiers (if required) and music stands.
Prices
The workshop fee is £27.50.
There are some half-price bursaries available for adults aged 18-25 (please email learning@jazz.coop for details).
Creating a Globe Account
When you buy tickets you will be invited to create an online account. You don’t have to do this but, if you do, you will find it quicker and simpler to buy tickets in future. Also, you can access all your ticket information and livestream files from your account dashboard, which is very convenient.
Play Jazz! workshop – Jul 2026
£27.50
Saturday 4 July: 13:30 – 17:00 at The Globe with Steve Glendinning
Workshop ticket: £27.50
Important: As well as paying for this workshop below, please make sure you fill in the enrolment form here as this will help the tutor in preparing for this workshop. Many thanks!
All tickets are sold subject to our Terms and Conditions of sale.
In stock
Description
Take the ‘A’ Train to “Summertime”
From Melody To Masterclass
This hands-on masterclass uses two timeless jazz standards—George Gershwin’s haunting “Summertime” and Billy Strayhorn’s energetic “Take the ‘A’ Train”—as vehicles for improvisation. Whether you want to break free from reading charts or expand your current soloing vocabulary, this session provides actionable tools to elevate your playing.
Melody: Learn how to embellish, fragment, and paraphrase the theme to keep your solos deeply connected to the song.
Harmony: Decode the underlying chord progressions, navigate key changes, and learn to recognise cycle of 5ths movement.
Rhythm: Master swing feel, syncopation, and rhythmic phrasing to create solos that drive and groove.
Improvisation: Develop your musical storytelling through call-and-response, motivic development, and aural awareness.
About Play Jazz! workshops
Play Jazz! is a series of introductory workshops focusing on specific aspects of jazz improvisation, running on the first Saturday of each month (except January and August). Each workshop is different. The Play Jazz! workshops are intended to appeal to a wide range of musicians including those who
Suitable for all instrumentalists and improvising vocalists. Minimum age 16.
About learning and participation at The Globe
You will need to bring all the equipment you need including instruments, amplifiers (if required) and music stands.
Prices
The workshop fee is £27.50.
There are some half-price bursaries available for adults aged 18-25 (please email learning@jazz.coop for details).
Creating a Globe Account
When you buy tickets you will be invited to create an online account. You don’t have to do this but, if you do, you will find it quicker and simpler to buy tickets in future. Also, you can access all your ticket information and livestream files from your account dashboard, which is very convenient.
Any Questions?
Please email learning@jazz.coop
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