If you like Jazz and want to spend a weekend learning and playing music with other musicians, then the Grafham Water Jazz Course is for you. The course is renowned for its relaxed, informal atmosphere and beautiful setting overlooking Grafham Water.

 There are two weekend courses every year, usually the last weekend in January, and late September. The focus of the course is on playing, so most of the time is spent playing in small ensembles. Groups work on carefully chosen material in a variety of styles and grooves. A supportive and relaxed atmosphere is maintained to help students to trust their instincts and get the most out of their playing. Points of interest, or technical/practical issues of technique or harmony for example can be discussed in the context in which they arise.

Each session lasts 90 minutes, and students can come together and socialise over tea/coffee and biscuits in between sessions. Students can perform their choice of material in the late night 'Cabaret' sessions, and there is a short end of-course concert on the Sunday afternoon.

Students are encouraged to enjoy their playing, and to build from a base of confidence in order to try new approaches or advance their playing into new areas where appropriate. The tutors are multi-instrumentalists, happy to work on every aspect of playing, including harmony, time-feel, instrumental technique and general understanding and approaches to the music.

Vocalists work with a specialist vocal tutor in their own group, and are given a few set standards to focus on for each course, and students are encouraged to bring their own choice of repertoire to work on too. As well as working on individual songs, and vocal technique to aid performance, students are enabled to work on delivery of their songs in the context of a typical rhythm section.

With late night jam sessions, good food and a relaxed atmosphere, Grafham Jazz Course is waiting for you to discover it.

 In September, we offer a Short Jazz Weekend only Friday 17.30- Sunday 16.30.  A Day Rate is also available

In January, we offer both a Long Jazz Weekend from Thursday 17.30-Sunday 16.30, or a Short Jazz weekend Friday 17:30 - Sunday 16:30.  Again, a Day Rate is also Available.

Your booking is confirmed when you receive an email from us. Please contact the Centre if you don't receive an email within 24 hours.

Please also note that while we will attempt to honour room allocation requests, these are not always possible dependent on gender splits and the timing of your booking.