Jazz Masterclass – Brigitte Mitchell

Jazz Masterclass is one of the programmes of the “Jazz-Go-Central, Jazz-Go-Fringe” project, presented by the Fringe Club and Kong U Big Band.  Hong Kong’s celebrated jazz vocalist Brigitte Mitchell will conduct a masterclass for jazz vocalists.  It’s open to the public and vocalists are invited.  Come and sharpen your musical skills!

The masterclass will be divided into two parts:

1. Brigitte will explain the differences in singing techniques between pop and jazz.  She will then play some big-band scores with Kong U Big Band, illustrating how to sing with big bands;

2. Participants can sing with Kong U Big Band under the guidance of Brigitte.  The song list can be provided in advance.

Brigitte Mitchell

Brigitte Mitchell exhibits her versatility with a daring grace.  Her voice is beautifully crisp and unencumbered, combining the deep resonance of her gospel upbringing with the unforgettable sound and style of jazz icons such as Ella Fitzgerald.  The daughter of a pastor, Brigitte first learned her craft singing in the church choirs of her home in Cape Town, South Africa.

In 2010, Brigitte released her debut album, Don’t Explain (Silva Records / P-Vine), and was nominated for a South African International Music Award.  The album charted internationally, especially in Hong Kong, where it stayed on the jazz charts for several months.  Since then she has performed at some of the most prestigious and storied jazz venues in Hong Kong, where she now lives.

In 2014, Brigitte’s global musical exploration found her combining the beauty of her sizzling voice with the wonderful grooves of Brazilian bossa novas and sambas as she worked with some of the top musical names in Rio de Janeiro.  This process of re-imagining Brazilian classics with new arrangements by Ney Conceycao led to her In Brazil EP (2015), capturing the authentic sound of Brazil.  Her Let’s Call It Love album (2016) is the sound of a world-traveller landing in a legendary location.   

Kong U Big Band

Kong U Big Band, established in 2014, is the first big band ever set up at any university in Hong Kong.  It strives to be a platform for jazz players at the University of Hong Kong to share their passion for this musical genre and to promote the appreciation of jazz music among the HKU community.  The band has performed at a variety of events, including HKU’s high table dinners and street shows, and recently held its second annual concert on the HKU campus.  In the long term, the band-members aim to spread the culture of jazz music appreciation to other academic institutions in Hong Kong so as to inspire keen young audience-members and players to participate in the local jazz scene.

Remarks:

• If you are interested in participating in the master class, please select "$150 - Participant" ticket price category. Limited quota, first-come-first served.
• If you would like to attend the master class as an audience, please select "$100 - Observer" ticket price category. 40 seats plus standing spaces. Seats are first-come-first served.
• *Fringe Club membership card MUST be presented at the door.
• **Student card/ Identity card MUST be presented at the door.
   

“Jazz-Go-Central, Jazz-Go-Fringe” is financially supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

The content of this programme does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Hong Kong Fringe Club reserves the right to change the programme and performers