It's gettin' kinda KOSMIC at the Jazz Workshop

Here's the deal:

We have this new FANTASTIC series coming up called, Jazz, Deconstructed. Sure, it's not happening until Spring, but you know, why wait to blog tomorrow what you could blog about today? Anyway, with Jazz, Deconstructed, we're going into the wilds of jazz through the thickets and thorny wood. "What do you mean?" You might ask.

Hmm. . .

Watch this video of the Charleston performed by the famous Al & Leon:

Great, right? Now, watch it again. Yes again. This time with Daft Punk over-dub:

That's Jazz . . . Deconstructed. Same song, same soul,beats PERSONIFIED. Jazz, Decontructed is:Amani Malaika & Luis Guerra-- April 7th, Resonance w/Patti Littlefield & Mark Weaver-- April 14th,Joy Harjo-- April 21st, Christian Pincock-- April 28thNow, you may not know that we have had to find a new place to do our series. It's a long story,drizzled in unfortunate events,but there's a happy ending,we assure you.We love the folks at q-Staff-- their Open Eye Cafettewas the perfect place for JD. If you're curious as to know why we're moving house on this series, read this.Here's the good part: we're moving the series toThe Kosmos the newest warehouse-turned-art space, located near downtown Burque.Chances are you already know where this place is-- if you take your Sunday prayers at the Church of Beethoven.

In their own words,The Kosmos has, "breathtaking acoustics, exposed brick and wooden ceiling beams, a central location near I-40 to make The Kosmos Albuquerque's most unique arts and events venue."

We agree.

See ya there!

Evening jazz class is the new HAPPY HOUR!

Looking for a fun way to ward off the winter blues? Drag that instrument out of the closet, or grab the sheet music to a song you've always craved the confidence to sing and take a class at New Mexico Jazz Workshop. This winter NMJW introduces Cabaret! with Deian McBryde, a recent Manhattan transplant, cabaret artist and director of Nob Hill Yoga. “We're very excited about Deian,” Amani Malaika, NMJW Education Coordinator says. “Deian was also the only singer listed as one of America's "MEN WE LOVE" by Girlfriends Magazine, along with Antonio Banderas, Malaika adds. As the instructor of a course that draws out one's natural charisma, Malaika says, “Deian's the right diva for the job!”

From divas to digital music-- NMJW offers two down-and-dirty workshops in audio recording with Luis Guerra, and Larry Mitchell, two award-winning producers who take the mystery out of digital technology, offering you great tools of the trade in real time. Veteran Jazz and Blues guitarist Dan Dowling teaches a course in blues guitar, Christian Pincock leads the Community Big Band and Lewis Winn offers the standard Modern Jazz Ensemble class, with a few new twists.

Also new to NMJW is Beginning Music Theory & Ear Training with Cora Harms. This course offers a solid foundation in music theory for instrumentalists and singers alike. You may want to put that listening to work in Rodolfo Gonzalez's Latin Jazz & Improvisation class, or try singing a new tune in the Vocal Jazz class with Patty Stephens. And, don't forget Real Book Jam, where you can practice all that you've learned in class, play some sentimental favorites, and learn a few new songs, in a relaxed atmosphere. NMJW is the place to be on a cold winter's week night (Saturdays, too!)

For more information visit the website: www.nmjazz.org.