JAZZ SINGING CLINIC

The Jazz Singing Clinic is designed and led by Whitney Smith to teach singers the basic skills they need to perform onstage with professional jazz musicians — without rehearsal. The goal is to create a successful experience for everyone involved in the performance — singer, musicians and audience — and to have fun and make good music.

Though this clinic was developed for those who want to sing jazz, the principles can be applied just as easily to any style of popular music — folk, pop, rock, blues, R&B, musical theatre, etc. Though a knowledge of musical theory is an asset, it is not required.

THE PROGRAMS

1. Level I: GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH JAZZ is the fundamentals course taught in group or private sessions that provides singers with the practical tools to perform confidently and effectively with professional musicians at rehearsals. jam sessions and solo performances. Curriculum includes developing purpose, confidence and power in your singing, understanding 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, song by song, and your "book". No previous knowledge of musical theory is required for the course.

2010 Schedule: Jazz Singing Clinic Level I courses, master classes

and private lessons, are available in English in these cities:

London, May 14-16

Brussels, May 21-23

Berlin, May 28-29

Paris, June 4-6

Barcelona, June 11-13

Rome, June 18-20

Toronto, July 16-18

Times: Friday, 7 PM - 10 PM. Saturday & Sunday, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Private lessons and master classes are scheduled the week following the course.

Course fees: $250, £150, €160. Private lesson hourly rates: $60. £40, €45.

Contact us for information on registration, or to learn more about the Clinic.

Follow-up programs to the Level I fundamentals course include private lessons geared toward recording a 3-song demo. These lessons and recording sessions (with a jazz quartet) will take place in the autumn of 2010 in the above cities. Master classes involve students of the Jazz Singing Clinic, or other singers, performing songs with an accompanist in front of the class, and receving feedback from Whitney, the accompanist and the other students.

Jazz Singing Clinic in your community . Let us know if you are interested in us coming to your community to present a weekend Jazz Singing Clinic. Minimum size for a group is nine participants.

Gift certificates are available for all programs.

Use this E-Z Song Transposing Chart to transpose songs into your key.

What Graduates Say

Whitney's Jazz Singing Clinic has been very inspiring to me. It 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

I absolutely recommend Whitney’s Jazz Singing Workshop. Whether you're an enthusiastic shower singer or the trained musician, Whitney’s program has something to offer singers at every level. 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. Within four months, I participated in a Jazz Singing Workshop showcase. What a thrill to be performing with some of the city’s finest musicians on a real gig at a cool little jazz club in Toronto. This program gave me the information, the resources, and the encouragement I needed to get up and sing! What an incredible journey!
— Jen Sagar

Having come from the world of opera, I wasn't sure what to expect from jazz and jazz singing. Whitney has been a real inspiration. He has helped me make the transition fun and exciting. Whitney is a true one-stop-shop! With his many talents as musician, songwriter, producer and band leader, and his wealth of knowledge and experience, he can help a variety of jazz lovers, musicians and singers. I have thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy working with Whitney.
— Sepideh Eslahjou

Face all your fears with Whitney Smith and you'll be performing sooner than you might think! Whitney will not only help you get your theory down quick and easy, he will help arrange your first performance with ease and confidence. He has helped me and so many others get started with their music careers, and he is connected to all these great musicians, so whether you’re taking a theory class or a Jazz Singing Clinic, or making your first demo, you won't go wrong with Whitney's positive and inspiring direction. — Linda Carone

Singers With Something to Say

Jazz Singing Clinic Graduate Recordings
Produced by Whitney Smith

Click on the name of the song to play the MP3.

Linda Carone (photo: top right) - email me
- Meglio Stasera (Linda Carone, vocals)

Hunter Williamson email me
You Made Me Love You (Hunter Williamson, vocals)

Scott Marshall, tenor sax; Wes Neal, bass; Joel Haynes, drums; Whitney Smith, guitar.Recorded and mixed by BB/AMT, Toronto, October 2004.

Elizabeth Bettencourt (photo: bottom right) - email me
Makin’ Whoopee(m, Walter Donaldson; w, Gus Kahn)
I’m Your Man(by Leonard Cohen)

Jen Sagar - email me
Embraceable You(m, George Gershwin; w, Ira Gershwin)
Deed I Do (m., Fred Rose; w., Walter Hirsch)
Blue Prelude (m, Gordon Jenkins; w, Joe Bishop)

Shawn Nyqwist, tenor sax; Whitney Smith, guitar; Mark Cashon, bass; Sly Juhas, drums.
Recorded and mixed by John Loach at Loach Studios, Toronto. January 2004.

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