Project Band: Young People Offered Chance to Train with Music Artists For Free (@2funkyempire)
Young People Offered Chance to Train with Music Artists For Free
Local young people are being given a unique opportunity to improve their vocal, performance and music-making skills, training with professional singer Mellow Baku and accomplished musician Andrew Price. Project Band is inviting Leicester-based young people, aged 16-25, to train with exceptional artists on a three month programme of writing, rehearsing, improvising, recording, skill-sharing and jamming. Entries can include singers, spoken word artists, rappers and instrumental musicians. Funded by Youth Music, the project will work primarily with ‘urban’ styles such as soul, R&B and hip hop, but will invite other influences (e.g. jazz and pop) to make this a fully inclusive music-making opportunity.
Workshops will take place from July-September 2016, on Tuesdays from 6pm – 9pm. The programme will culminate in a high profile showcase at 2Funky Music Café. Participants will also work towards a Bronze Arts Award accreditation, receive mentoring to facilitate their progression, work on masterclasses with big artists and record new tracks for a CD. No experience is necessary, but participants must be prepared to make a firm commitment to the course.
Director Vijay Mistry said: “This project will be a great platform for young people to grow in musical confidence and skill. It’s a must for young people who want to progress musically, and we have two brilliant artists to facilitate this.”
Mellow Baku has over a decade’s worth of experience of performing live, as part of collectives and as a soloist. Performing credits include Birmingham Jazz Festival, Glastonbury and BBC Live events. Courtney Pine OBE has referred to Mellow as ‘A new voice in British music, with an original blend of reggae soul and jazz. Superb voice, brilliant music.’
Musician Andrew Price has featured on a wide range of recorded material across R&B, blues, soul and jazz. Recent live work includes piano for The Drifters’ Ray Lewis, touring with artist Jersey Budd and performing as a duo at the Royal Albert Hall. He has also completed studio recordings and has co-written work.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To sign up, contact Vijay Mistry on info@2funkyarts.co.uk/ 07976 412759.
We welcome referrals from youth partners who know of young people that may benefit. Young people can find out more about this programme and other exciting activities on www.2funkyarts.co.uk.
This project is supported by Youth Music.
Project Band
Tuedays 6pm – 9pm launching 5 July
2Funky Music Café, New Park St, Leicester. LE3 5NH
