Please join us for the latest Jazz North Educator’s forum led by our Learning & Participation project manager Helena Summerfield and guest speaker Bess Shooter.
Helena will share an update about Jazz North's L&P initiatives including our Jazz Camp for Girls project and Bess will introduce an exciting new opportunity for schools, MEHs and festivals.
Following a successful run of workshops, the team at Ferg's Imaginary Big Band have put together an educational strategy to help make improvising accessible, hoping to spread the joy of creating music to young people throughout the north.
As always, our forums are a safe space to reflect, share ideas and ask questions.
Meet our guest
Bess Shooter is a music creator and educator who has been playing baritone saxophone with Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band for over six years. Alongside FIBB, she also collaborates with Fergus Quill on a project celebrating the music of Leeds jazz-punk legend Xero Slingsby. As a performer, she is passionate about improvisation, DIY music culture, and the UK jazz and experimental music scenes, performing extensively across the UK with a wide variety of ensembles. As an educator, she has worked with More Music and Jazz North’s Jazz Camp for Girls, working towards creating equal opportunities in jazz education, building confidence through music, and helping keep making music fun.
Ferg's Imaginary Big Band
Led by Fergus Quill, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band is an organic and fluid ensemble of young jazz musicians drawn from across the Leeds and wider UK jazz scene. The band’s origins were as an informal five piece Sun Ra tribute project but quickly grew into a dynamic 25+ strong musical force with a reputation for energetic live performances and experimental arrangements.
Winners of 2023 The Peter Whittingham Jazz Award they have played shows at Manchester, Leeds, Lancaster and London Jazz Festivals and Love Supreme.
*Banner photo shows Bess Shooter soloing in Ferg's Imaginary Big Band at mjf (Manchester Jazz Festival) photo credit: Nigel Slee
