Jazz Masterclass – Ken Chan

Jazz Masterclass is one of the programmes of the “Jazz-Go-Central, Jazz-Go-Fringe” project, presented by the Fringe Club and the Hong Kong Youth Jazz Orchestra. 

In this masterclass, leading local jazz drummer Ken Chan (KC) will explain and demonstrate the techniques that every big-band drummer need to master, including:

1)    timekeeping (for beginner drummers) – how to co-ordinate the limbs, develop a swinging groove and practise wisely;

2)    making a better big-band sound (for intermediate drummers) – how to play better drum fills and interpret ensemble figures.

If you’re a drummer interested in big-band music, you’re invited to be a participant – you’ll have the opportunity to play with the band under Ken’s expert guidance (scores will be provided in advance).  Members of the public are welcome to attend – the musicians want an audience! 

*Masterclass will be mainly in Cantonese.

Ken Chan

KC is one of few drummers in Hong Kong to have mastered a wide range of drum styles, including Western classical percussion, pop drumming, marching drumming and Latin drumming.  He studied at the Los Angeles College of Music and sat under musicians such as jazz-rock master Gary Garbitini, Latin drum master Chuck Silverman, percussion master Bruce Becker, marching percussion master Chris Rodriquez and Marimba master Marc Wooldrige.  He also learned from famous Hong Kong musicians Tung Tak-leong, Simon Chui, Yip Chi-kin and Lung Heung-wing.

KC was the percussionist in the musical Miss Saigon (the Macau International Music Festival), the Macau Orchestra, the Los Angeles SoCal Dream Drum Orchestra and the Hong Kong Festival Wind Orchestra.  In recent years he has collaborated with the Chinese University of Hong Kong chorus, jazz master Howard McCrary, famous percussion band Maraca2 in England and the Basic Notes Jazz Big Band.  Currently KC focuses on the activities of the PercussionSpirit Music Centre and the promotion of percussion music.  He is a member of the PercussionSpirit Orchestra, jazz band La Petite Jazzy Jam and the Saturday Jazz Big Band Night.

Hong Kong Youth Jazz Orchestra

Comprising 19 members, with the youngest aged only 15, the Hong Kong Youth Jazz Orchestra is a group of keen teenagers.  They’ve been studying musical instruments (some of them for over 10 years) under the guidance of members of the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra.  Taka Hirohama founded the band with the objective of nurturing new talent in Hong Kong by organising workshops and providing young musicians with opportunities to perform.  In December 2011 the band participated in the Shenzhen Bay International Fringe Festival.

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