Zoom Tunes- presented by the Vermont Jazz Center

Zoom Tunes- February 27, 2022 session

presented by the Vermont Jazz Center

Last Sunday of each month, 7:00-8:30 pm EST

ON-LINE; $15 per session

Zoom Tunes

Because indoor jam sessions with horn players and vocalists are unfeasible at this time, the Jazz Center is hosting Zoom Tunes, an online version of a jam session that is as inclusive as possible.

The format was devised & is run by VJC’s junior faculty. Zoom Tunes will take place on the last Sunday of each month.

For each session, participants individually play the “tune of the month” using an inexpensive app (iReal Pro) as accompaniment.

The app is a digital play-along system with a library of jazz tunes that gives musicians access to backing tracks with easy adjustments in tempo, key & feel.

The Zoom Tune for February 27 is ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing’ by Duke Ellington.

IT DON’T MEAN A THING – 2/27/22 (lead sheets & backing tracks)

During a Zoom Tunes jam, participants divide into breakout rooms supervised by one of the coaches. Each participant plays their own version of the given tune, either solo or with a backing track.

After playing their interpretation, players receive guidance and support from the other attendees & Zoom Tunes coaches Malik McLaurine (bass), Ben Barnett (trombone) & Franz Robert (piano).

Playing the same composition and hearing well-considered advice creates a bonding experience among participants.
Listening to others play the same repertoire can be inspiring & fun & leads to a fruitful learning experience.

Singers are more than welcomed & are encouraged to use iReal Pro’s transpose feature to adjust the song’s key to suit their vocal range.