SAXOPHONIST MICHAEL BLAKE JOINS THE HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2016 CREATIVE MUSIC WORKSHOP JULY 7-17

SAXOPHONIST MICHAEL BLAKE JOINS THE HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2016 CREATIVE MUSIC WORKSHOP JULY 7-17

(Halifax, NS) -- The 21st annual Halifax Jazz Festival Creative Music Workshop (CMW) takes place July 7-17, 2016, at the Nova Scotia Community College Waterfront Campus.  Noted saxophonist and composer Michael Blake is this year’s special guest faculty member, and will be joining core faculty members Jerry Granelli (drums, Halifax), J. Anthony Granelli (electric bass, New York), Christian Kogel (guitar, Berlin), and Dani Oore (saxophone, Toronto). Additional faculty will be announced with the 2016 TD Halifax Jazz Festival lineup.

Michael Blake brings his vision to Halifax as one the most original saxophonists of his generation. Born in Montreal and raised in Vancouver,  Blake has made New York  his home for more than 25 years, where he makes music that bristles with originality and innovation. His live performances are consistently exciting and unbridled garnering him the New York Jazz Record’s acclaim for “Best Performance of 2014.”
CMW gathers renowned musicians and educators from across North America and internationally who possess exceptional skills as educators and improvising musicians. Participants gain knowledge through experiential learning as faculty share their expertise with students through a range of activities, mentorship, live performance preparation, and ensemble work.

The benefits of this program for students and for the broader arts community have been profound. Program alumni have gone on to become professional artists, educators and creative individuals worldwide. Jerry Granelli was a pioneer in developing this distinctive approach to education which is now integrated into renowned arts institutions throughout North America.

The 2016 Creative Music Workshop takes place at NSCC Waterfront Campus, 80 Mawiomi Pl, Dartmouth, NS and consists of two programs. The Core Program offers an opportunity for musicians and artists of all disciplines to acquire the skills to take their practice to the next level through creative process exercises and working in ensembles. The Creative Process session allows creative minds of all disciplines to deepen their creative practice through movement and improvisation exercises. For more information and details on the 2016 CMW programs, please visit, halifaxjazzfestival.ca/workshops

Since 1987 the non-profit organization the Halifax Jazz Festival has presented a diverse range of musical and educational activities including the  2016 TD Halifax Jazz Festival, July 13-17. For more information visit  halifaxjazzfestival.ca.  

Media Contact:
Kimberly Sinclair, Halifax Jazz Festival
kimberly@spincount.com | (902) 350 - 3968

​

---