:   Jazz Singing Clinic      

Getting Comfortable with Jazz

The Jazz Singing Clinic gives you the skills to have a successful experience on the jazz stage — for you, the musicians and the audience.

In the course you will acquire a knowledge of jazz musicianship that will empower you to sing with confidence in the company of professional jazz players.

The Clinic is designed and led by Whitney, who has worked with hundreds of singers in every type of ensemble, from 17-piece jazz orchestras to duos to musical theatre. His experience in dealing with the wide variety of challenges that face singers helps him to understand each person's unique situation. The goal is to get you onstage as quickly as possible, but not before you're ready.

A knowledge of musical theory, though it is an asset, is not required.

Fees: £40 per one hour lesson.

Contact us by email to register or ask a question, or call Whitney

to discuss whether the Jazz Singing Clinic suits your needs. 020 8348 6511.

The Programs

1. Level I: Getting Comfortable with Jazz is the fundamentals course, offered in group or private sessions. Curriculum includes developing purpose, confidence and power in your singing, identifying your vocal range, transposing and notating lead sheets that suit your range, learning the road map of songs and when to come in, understanding jazz rhythms (swing and straight 8ths), communicating with professional jazz players in rehearsals and onstage, developing your repertoire and your "book" (your portfolio of song charts for an accompanist).

2. Levels  II & III: Recording & Live Showcase. Follow-up programs to the Level I fundamentals course include private lessons geared toward recording a 3-song demo. Showcases are held in a London jazz club and feature four course graduates performing an evening of standards with the Whitney Smith Quartet.

Jazz Singing Clinic Group Course with your friends or in your community. If you have a group of eight or more who are interested in taking the course, we offer weekly course in London, or weekend or week-long courses in the U.K., Europe or North America. Under certain conditions other locations are possible.

Gift certificates are available for all programs.

Whitney will be in Toronto from August 13-Sept 1; Ithaca, New York, Sept 2; Boston from Sept. 7-10; New York, Sept. 13-15; Philadelphia, Sept. 17. Get in touch if you wish to schedule lessons or a group course for any of these dates.

Use the Jazz Singing Clinic Song Transposing Chart to transpose songs into your key.

What Graduates Say

Whitney really opened my eyes to what it takes to be a singer . . . how to communicate and give direction to musicians, how to arrange songs and how to bring out the best in ourselves. Whitney is a musician with outstanding talent, contacts and a wonderful entrepreneurial spirit. In short, it was genius. What fun! — Karen Pellatt, Montreal

I’m so impressed by the clarity of the teaching, the condensation of information, the openness of conversation, and the way we were pushed and encouraged. — Marta Grecchi, New York

I’ve taken singing classes and workshops before but what sets this workshop apart from the others is that Whitney’s goal is to get his students out of the classroom setting and on to the stage! Within two months of my first meeting with Whitney I participated in my first jam session, something that before had seemed nearly impossible. This program gave me the information, the resources, and the encouragement I needed to get up and sing. What an incredible journey! — Jen Sagar, Toronto

This course was great . . . presented to us in a very relaxed, entertaining and interesting way . . . an exciting way to overcome the fear of singing and to start practicing.” — Svetlana Rogachershay, New York

Whitney's Jazz Singing Clinic has begun the process of sending many of my fears and anxieties out of this solar system. As well, it has created a more solid base for my new relationship with jazz and the process of singing and learning. — Jennifer Evans, Toronto

Having come from the world of opera, I wasn't sure what to expect from jazz and jazz singing. With his many talents as musician, songwriter, producer and band leader, Whitney has been a real inspiration and has helped me make the transition fun and exciting. — Sepideh Eslahjou, Toronto

The Jazz Singing Clinic studios are in North London, in Crouch End, a 30 minute trip from King's Cross on the Victoria line and the W7 bus. And across the

street from the Eurhythmics old church-housed studios.Lessons are available in Central London

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