BRINGING MUSICIANS TOGETHER
Current Sites
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY IN A BAND?
SCHEDULE A FREE TRIAL
Instruments needed Saxes, Brass, Keyboard, Bass, Drums and Guitar
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
WHO DO WE WANT?
The cost for the sessions starting in January will be £150 for the 10 rehearsal sessions and extra concerts. To book for Newbury, Abingdon/Oxford or Reading please email ukprojectband@gmail.com
50 pieces of music and play-along videos come with membership of the band.
Timings of the session-The venue opens at 7 to setup, playing starts at 7.20 to 8.40 clear and leave by 9
Any standard of musician all ages welcome.
WHO TEACHES YOU?
The sessions will be directed by a professional musician and you don’t have to be able to sight-read as the music is downloadable in advance
WHAT DO YOU GET?
Written parts for your instrument and the backing tracks are streamed on the website, it’s a chance to practice the music before you get to the rehearsal. The opportunity to play concerts and gigs with the band.
WE PLAY TUNES LIKE
Happy (Pharrell Williams) Highway to Hell (ACDC) I Shot the Sheriff (Eric Clapton) Up Town Funk (Bruno Mars) Chameleon (Herbie Hancock) Pick up the Pieces (Average White Band) Isn’t She Lovely Stevie Wonder Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost for the sessions starting in January will be £150 for the 10 rehearsal sessions and extra concerts. To book for Newbury, Abingdon or Reading please email ukprojectband@gmail.com
50 pieces of music and play-along videos come with membership of the band.
Timings of the session-The venue opens at 7 to setup, playing starts at 7.20 to 8.40 clear and leave by 9
WHO DO WE WANT?
Any standard of musician all ages welcome.
WHO TEACHES YOU?
The sessions will be directed by a professional musician and you don’t have to be able to sight-read as the music is downloadable in advance
WHAT DO YOU GET?
Written parts for your instrument and the backing tracks are streamed on the website, it’s a chance to practice the music before you get to the rehearsal. The opportunity to play concerts and gigs with the band.
WE PLAY TUNES LIKE
Happy (Pharrell Williams) Highway to Hell (ACDC) I Shot the Sheriff (Eric Clapton) Up Town Funk (Bruno Mars) Chameleon (Herbie Hancock) Pick up the Pieces (Average White Band) Isn’t She Lovely Stevie Wonder Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock)
SIMON TALKING ABOUT THE BAND
HERE IS A SAMPLE VIDEO
“Playing with Project Band is a weekly reminder to practice, a way of measuring my progress, interaction with other players, and being a part of an improving group”.
Martin Kennelly – Sax
“Project Band is such an engaging experience and ideal for older beginners, learning at home at a pace that suits me really works. And he makes it fun. I’m making great progress. Thank you!”
Jo Gayton – Trumpet
Weekend Workshop Spring 2023
Next Weekend Workshop January 27th and 28th
THE MEMBERS TALK ABOUT THE BAND
Band Tutors
Simon Currie has been playing the saxophone since he was 11 years old, at the age of 20 he joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and played with them for 4 years, working with big names in jazz such as JOHNNY DANKWORTH and SHORTY ROGERS, to name but a few. He then worked in Monte Carlo with American musical giants such as GEORGE BENSON and STEVIE WONDER. In 2001 he joined PAUL JONES AND THE MANFREDS (ex MANFRED MANN), and has been touring with them, backing guests such as CHRIS FARLOWE, PAUL YOUNG, ALLAN PRICE, PP ARNOLD and Georgie Fame
Les Bruce has been playing clarinet, saxophone and flute over the last 50 years in various orchestras, bands and big bands. He studied music at Bath University graduating with a BA (Hons) 2:1 in performance. After graduating, he had the opportunity to play with the Ron Young Dance Orchestra where he learnt how to lead a big band before starting his own big band in Swindon. He has played in many venues all over the south including the Cafe Royal London.
He is currently the musical director for the Apollo Big Band and continues to run his own bands of various sizes for functions and weddings.
Sax School online
The sax school members area allows you to learn on any device, accessing over 150 videos and music from the beginners course to the intermediate improvisation and funky sax courses.
Learn to play funky solos over “Pick up the Pieces” and Pharrell William’s “Happy” . World class saxophonist Simon Currie introduces you to 16 funky sax phrases, that are shown to you with 2 cameras, and 30 videos. You will be show step by step how to play the phrases in a call his call response technique, with demonstrations on lip and finger slurs and funky tonguing techniques.
The 140 page beginner sax tutor. This includes 150 videos demonstrating each new tune, and it also includes 120 backing tracks that have been professionally recorded with and without the saxophone for you to “go solo”. Each backing track can be slowed down for practice.