Using the Blues as a Vehicle for Jazz Improvisation (T.K. Blue)

Explore the world of Jazz, Blues, and Jazz Improvisation in this fun and exciting course, instructed and lead by world renown performing artist/saxophonist, T.K. Blue. T.K. Blue has released over eleven CD recordings, including; "Follow the North Star," which received rave reviews and critical acclaim. Mr. Blue's artistry is found on over eighty recordings and has performed with a long list of great international artists, such as Don Cherry, Jayne Cortez, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Higgins, Bobby McFerrin, James Moody, just to name a few. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Music and Psychology from NYU, as well as a Master's Degree in Music Education from Teacher's College, Columbia University. T.K. Blue is also an expert instructor and has taught for Montclair State University, Long Island University: LIU Post, among others. Despite his performance schedule, he loves to teach and mentor budding musicians with his passion for teaching, music, and artistry. T.K. Blue has numerous acclaims as a recording artist, performing artist, saxophonist, composer, teacher, and arranger.

This course is open to all levels and will explore a brief history and the social significance of the Blues, which is the foundation for many styles of music, including; Jazz and Rock. The course will examine some basic Blues choral progressions and focus on a strategy to improvise/solo using a multitude of scale variations and technical exercises. The class will explore how the original "simple" choral harmonic progressions evolved to very complex harmony with the insertion of "tritone" substitutions and the all-important II/V harmonic device. Learn about the exciting world of Jazz and Blues in a fun class setting.

*Online Course Date: Every Friday (3:30-4:30pm EST) (12/1, 12/8, 12/15, and 12/22).