Flute lessons at JWA

Flute

Gai Bryant, B.Mus.

Gai arrived in Sydney after graduating from the University of Adelaide where she studied Jazz Performance. She has worked with Carl Orr, Mark Simmonds, Paul McNamara, Sandy Evans, Jackie Orzaczky, Jann Rutherford, Lloyd Swanton, Janet Seidel, Don Burrows and Roger Frampton and others.

In 1996/7 she studied with soprano saxophonist and composer, Jane Ira Bloom in New York. Upon her return to Sydney she formed the Gai Bryant Quartet. From 1997-2000 the Quartet toured throughout Australia, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan performing concerts and conducting workshops. In October and November 1999 the Quartet completed a series of live performances with poets in Hyde Park as part of a vision to access Sydney's open spaces for small acoustic and cross-art form performances.

Early 2000 Gai studied Taegum at the National Korean Performing Arts Centre in Seoul with WON Hyang-Juan, master of traditional Korean music. In September the Quartet toured Korea with WON Hyang-Juan and his family performing compositions by Gai and Won Hyang-Juan for a combined ensemble at the Korean Performing Arts Centre, Seoul. The combined ensemble toured Australia performing and giving workshops at the Brisbane Festival, Sydney’s Carnivale, the Opera House Studio, ABC and SBS radio programs as well as recording for the University of Western Sydney contemporary music program.

Gai attended Lake Placid Institute’s advanced composition and improvisation seminar in 2001 where she was tutored by jazz greats Jim McNeely and Joe Lovano. In October/November 2002 Gai's large ensemble performed with Jim McNeely at the Sydney Opera House Studio and Wangaratta Festival playing Jim's compositions and arrangements for tentet. During 2003 she sought out Jim McNeely and Mike Gibbs to delve further into composition and arranging via lessons and correspondence. In 2005 Gai composed and recorded the soundtrack for previously unseen Frank Hurley footage of SS Aurora 1911-13 expedition to the Antarctic, which screened at Longest Night Film Festival. In July performed with Arkadiy Figlin Trio at the Pori Jazz Festival, Finland and mentored the Sisters in Jazz ensemble through her original compositions/arrangements for the IAJE. In September she performed with Swedish musicians for an Australian design presentation. 2007 Gai collaborated with the Tiwi Womens Choir to create some jazz-based arrangements for tiwi song forms. In 2008 she was artist-in-residence in Armidale and reunited with Jim McNeely and Spare Parts Big Band to present Jim's music on a short tour of Australia.

Her commissions include works for the Seymour New Music Group, Bernie McGann Trio, Liverpool Council, National Archives and the Sydney Spring Festival. She has released three albums as a bandleader. Quartet albums, High Jinx (1998) and Music(2002) and large ensemble album Two Degrees East (2005).

Matthew Ottignon, B.Mus Hons (Jazz)

Matthew Ottignon was born in London, grew up in New Zealand, and graduated at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with first class Honours. He has been performing since the age of 13 and plays the tenor alto and soprano saxes as well as flute and clarinet. He has been part of the Sydney jazz secene for many years now, adding his individual tenor sound to many outifits. Some of the musicians Matthew has performed with are Lou Reed, Mike Nock, Jackie Orszackzy, James Morrison, John Pochee and Phil Slater. Matthew can be seen performing in trio Informal Troupe, Java Quartet, Exotica, the Space Cadets, the Splinter Orchestra, the Hipstones, Monseiur Camembert, and Mucho Mambo.

James Ryan, M.Mus.

Originating from Darwin, Australia, James Ryan has performed extensively throughout Australia and Europe, basing himself in London for four years. In 1995 James was the first person to graduate with a Masters of Music majoring in Jazz from an Australian University. He has taught jazz performance, improvisation and composition at the Canberra School of Music (A.N.U.), The Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Griffith University) and the Queensland University of Technology.

James Ryan's fascination with improvisation and original jazz composition is reflected in his teaching, recordings and performances. The James Ryan Quartet released its self titled debut in 1997 and the James Ryan Trio released Long Way Home on Jazzgroove Records in 2006. January 3rd 2009 will see the release of the Trio's second recording Bitter Sweet on the ABC Jazz label. James also leads and writes for The Subterraneans and The Lost Cosmonauts.

For further information and live recordings:
http://www.myspace.com/jamesryan08
http://www.myspace.com/thelostcosmonauts08
http://www.myspace.com/thesubterraneansoz
http://www.jamesryan.com.au

Jazz Improvisation

All of the teachers at the Jazz Workshop can give lessons in jazz improvisation to any student, regardless of their instrument. Saul Richardson specialises in teaching improvisation to beginners and young players. Other JWA teachers, such as Jeremy Borthwick, Gai Bryant and James Ryan love to teach very advanced concepts.

So, whatever instrument you or your child play, one of our teachers can give lessons in jazz improvisation. Lessons can be either ongoing, occasional, or a short series. Call or email for details