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| | Welcome to Andaluz Jazz Guitar Course 2008 | |
We are delighted to offer you the opportunity to join us for a JAZZ GUITAR MASTERCLASS RETREAT with renowned UK based performer and teacher Mike J S Walker.
Andaluz Jazz brings you six days of intensive study in Southern Spain, commencing 21 June 2008. The venue for our jazz guitar course will be Las Nuevas, a tastefully renovated 200 year old finca in the Andalucian hills of Malaga Province. Despite being only 40 minutes by car from Malaga International Airport, it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the Costas. The solitude and tranquility of Las Nuevas, with its stunning views of the mountains of the Sierra de Las Nievas, provides the perfect environment and setting in which to learn, relax, absorb and be inspired.
We have places for 15 musicians of an intermediate to advanced playing level who are looking to improve and expand their existing jazz education.
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YOUR JAZZ GUITAR COURSE TUTOR: MIKE J S WALKER
Currently a teaching fellow at LIPA (Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts), Mike is able to draw on 25 years' experience of performance, teaching, recording and tutoring students in improvisation for all instruments in workshop, masterclass and ensemble environments. With his communicative style and approach it's hardly surprising to find glowing accolades written by journalists, students and fellow musicians alike. What follows are examples of how highly this world class musician is regarded:
"Mike is a very inspirational tutor as well as being a phenomenal jazz guitarist. He's played with many of the greats such as Dave Holland (ex Miles Davis). Currently teaches from home as well as being a tutor at LIPA (Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts)." By AdrianStevenson 14 Jun 2007
"This is a truly unique solo guitar tune, exploring the outer limits of usual harmonic conventions. Reportedly an improvised tune, it shows the level of polyphonic hearing that Mike Walker can reach, a gem by one of my heroes."
Re Mike Walker: Quietly Peeping Around Corners | | 
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"Phil will be joined on the tour by world class musicians guitarist Mike Walker, Thomas Strønen on Drums and Steve Watts on Acoustic Bass. One of Britain's most exciting musicians, guitarist Mike Walker plays regularly with big names like George Russell, Mike Gibbs and Julian Arguelles. Phil Bancroft was kick ass - best jazz set I`ve seen in ages! but I must say...Mike Walker on guitar stole the show! he's a god!"
Re: Phil Bancroft Quartet RAD JAZZ GUITAR
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"Jazz guitar legend Mike Walker spent 2 years penning his Jazz album, and put together a super group to record the first 5 tracks here. Joined by Mikey Wilson (Texas) on drums, Silvan Richardson (Simply Red, Ian Brown) on Bass, Ian Dixon (Sting) on Sax, and John Ellis (The Cinematic orchestra) on Hammond."
"Bratoëff's brittle phrasing and rhythmic energy put him up there with leading UK guitarists such as Mike Outram, Phil Robson and Mike Walker."
The Guardian
"I still study with Mike Walker who is regarded by many to be the most important and influential jazz guitarist in Europe."
David James Speakman, BA (hons)
"What elevates it a notch higher is the playing of guitarist Mike Walker, voted best musician at the Glasgow Jazz Festival in 1995. His touch and originality shine out in an already impressive group, playing the pianist's evocative compositions."
Kenny Mathieson Scotsman
Stephen Plews | composer/musician
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Please visit Mike's website to find out more about his professional credentials. www.mike-walker.co.uk. You can also visit him at www.myspace.com/mikejswalker. On a more personal level, having known Mike for over 20 years, words like passionate, dedicated, knowledgeable, humourous, well informed and respected all spring to mind. Simply put, along with being a highly experienced musician, Mike certainly has all the qualities required to inspire and spur students on to a greater level of understanding and expression.
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| | STUDENTS
Our retreat is specifically aimed at intermediate to advanced jazz guitar students. It is an intensive school tailored to suit those with an existing familiarity and confidence with the language of jazz and we have purposely limited the numbers to 15 to allow those attending the advantages of a more intimate group.
To obtain the most from our jazz guitar course you will be required to be versed in and familiar with diatonic chord theory and able to recognise and identify the intervallic steps of the major scale. Our course page lists a breakdown of the week's schedule and subjects covered. Please read to consider if these are areas of study which are of interest to you and that you feel you would like to improve, confirm and consolidate.
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COST
The course fee includes full board single or shared accommodation. All rooms are twin bedded, and we have five rooms available for single occupancy which will be allocated, on request, on a first come first serve basis. All course materials, literature and equipment (aside from your own guitar) will also be provided along with an appraisal of and advice on your instrument onsite during the course downtime from a working guitar technician with 20 years experience of repair and set up.
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LEISURE TIME
This jazz guitar course is intensive and the location of the venue reflects this, it is a retreat. Aside from the free time each day, one day mid week will be left clear for the students to do what they like. The pool and grounds are a wonderful place to just relax or you could walk in the surrounding countryside. For the more energetic, you could try archery, quad biking, horse riding, fishing or an afternoon in the culturally rich city of Malaga. All these can be arranged easily, should you desire.
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GEODOME
The latest news from Las Nuevas is that it is looking likely that they will soon have the addition of a 10m diameter geodome! This amazing construction will be a wonderful space in which to conduct jam sessions and some classes. | | 
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