Aims
For my final project I would like to construct a Jazz band in order to perform a mixture of original and classic jazz songs. I would like to compose at least one song and document this with a professional recording and video. I would then like to partake in a range of performances taking place in venues across Bradford, leading to a headline set containing all of the material we have developed throughout the project.
Objectives
- Firstly, I need to establish the lineup for my band. After this is completed I will then be able to decide a schedule for the project as well as begin to work on some arrangements.
- Secondly, I will need to create a rehearsal structure as well as find a place to practice. I already have a couple of places in mind, however this will require me to enquire and to chase up potential leads.
- Thirdly, I will need to produce a set list along with preliminary charts in order to begin to run through at rehearsals. I will need to create more of a detailed arrangement further down the line, however this will hugely depend on the confidence of the musicians in my band when it comes to improvisation as well as the instrumentation available.
- Alongside all of this, I will continually be experimenting with different ideas for compositions within my daily practice sessions, therefore it will be important for me to document these and try and understand where I can work in the other members of the band.
- Next, I will have to start to develop my promotion ideas. This will contain collaborating with graphic design students in order to develop my brand as a musician/band. Although I am only looking to release one song to a professional standard, it would be amazing to be able to do this onto youtube or/and Spotify, therefore I would like some cover art for that single, as well as some for my headline gig.
- I would like to do a few gigs prior to the final one, therefore I will look into where we can perform throughout the project.
- The video and recording shoot will require a sound engineer as well as a videographer and although I was hoping to do this in college in the art gallery, it will require a large amount of planning. Luckily, I have a few contacts in the field of recording or mastering but I will look into the idea of doing it professionally in order to get the best quality final product. My only reservations about recording in a professional studio would be if they had an upright or grand piano as oppose to me recording on a keyboard. I would hope to do this recording two to three weeks before the final performance in order for it to have time to be mixed and mastered. Hopefully we will be able to capture a good enough recording that it might not need too much alteration.
- For the final project, I was thinking of working with either Kala sangam or the Delius in Bradford, I will therefore have to make sure that the space is ready for use as well as organising tickets and potentially support acts. Depending on how the other band members are feeling, I think that it could be nice to give the profits away to charity, therefore I’ll look into potential links for this.