Jazz

Jazz education in Scotland takes a major leap forward with the introduction of the country’s first ever full time conservatoire level jazz course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, starting in September 2009.

Designed for students and undergraduate and postgraduate diploma and MMus levels, these specialist pathways for jazz musicians will be created and led by the internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Tommy Smith and will offer tuition from the best jazz musicians in Scotland.

Tommy Smith, who will teach the saxophone students personally, said: “ This is an exciting development and a tremendous boost for the scene. For many years Scotland has lagged behind almost every country in Europe in not having a full-time jazz course and yet we’ve produced dozens of talented players who have been forced to go America and England to study. Now instead of looking elsewhere, they can receive top level tuition here on their doorstep.”

Commenting on the new programme, Principal John Wallace said: “ To have Tommy Smith, one of the all-time greats, heading up jazz at the RSAMD, fulfils a long term dream for me - and makes Glasgow, Unesco City of Music, even more the place for musical heroes to grow.”

 

Enquiries: jazz@rsamd.ac.uk