Project Band Reading
To apply to be in the band please let us know what instrument you play, a rough idea of your experience and standard.
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY IN A BAND?
Project Band Reading
To apply to be in the band please let us know what instrument you play, a rough idea of your experience and standard.
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY IN A BAND?
BRINGING MUSICIANS TOGETHER
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Spring 2025 The cost is 11 sessions £165, (£15 per session) the first one is free for new students if they don’t continue. This fee includes extra concerts. To book please email. ukprojectband@gmail.com
Spring Season, Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25,
Winter 2024 The cost is 13 sessions £221, (£17 per session) concerts.
Reading Winter Season cont… Nov 5, 12, 19, 26, Dec 3, 10, Gig 17
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 GET?
The backing tracks are streamed on the website and it’s a chance to learn or improve improvisation skills!
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)
Where are Reading rehearsals?
Project Band Reading-Birch Copse Primary school. Wittenham Ave, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 5LN
About The Band
Music Demonstration
More About The Band
Any standard of musician old or young are welcome. Learn how to play modern pops, soul, funk and jazz. The sessions will be directed by Simon Currie or Mike Wilkins the aim is to create a general feeling of fun and nurture. Musicians don’t have to be able to sight-read as the music is down-loadable in advance; and the backing tracks are streamed on the website. However, for those more competent there will be scope to challenge their reading, and a chance to learn or improve their improvisation skills! Age minimum 14+
Weekend workshop 2022
The Members Talk about the Band
The Reading 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.