Established in 2003 as a year long course in contemporary and world jazz at the City University, the Annie Whitehead World Music Workshop is now an independently run big band workshop based at Cecil Sharpe House, the Home of English Folk Dance.
Under the direction of trombone virtuoso and composer Annie Whitehead, the project forms part of the outreach programme of the Vortex Jazz Club.Each July a week long summer school, directed by Annie Whitehead, is held at the Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, London. This culminates with a performance at the club.The group rehearses every week during term time and regularly performs at the Horseshoe Pub in Clerkenwell and has performed since 2003 in and around the Shorditch area.The repertoire includes works by Dudu Pukwana, Chris MacGregor, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, West Nkosi, Zakes Nkozi, Herbie Hancock, Theolonious Monk, Barbara Snow, Diane McLoughlin, Pee Wee Ellis, Jaco Pastorius, John Bennett, Mzwakhe Mbuli and Maceo Parker.The line up of up to 20 horns is supplemented by two guitars and the phenomenal bass and drums of Jennifer Maidman and Mark Huggett.While the band has a regular core of players, there are vacancies from time to time and if you are interested in playing please get in touch.We are keen to build on the success of our annual summer school at the Vortex Jazz Club in London and encourage horn players to contact us if you would like more information or would like to take part. The fee for the week is around £300.For details of weekly sessions and the Summer Workshop, email [email protected] "Last's years workshop was a runaway success, and the Friday night gig was a sellout." VORTEX