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Jazz at the

Royal Northern College of Music
Jazz at the RNCM

RNCM jazz collective rehearsing at New Mills Arts Theatre

Mike has the unflattering title of Co-ordinator of Jazz Studies! We do not offer a full-time, specialist course in jazz studies but aim to give all under-graduates and post graduates the chance to try jazz and to support their development in this genre if this is required. The RNCM provides many opportunities for students to expand their skills and knowledge in jazz styles and improvisation.

Mike runs these classes...
  • RNCM big band
  • RNCM jazz collevtive
  • weekly classes in improvisation (beginners and advanced)
  • one-to-one jazz saxophone
  • Jazz History academic classes
  • Jazz Theory academic classes
  • small jazz ensemble coaching

    In addition there are...
  • masterclasses by visiting musicians
  • specialist jazz-based instrumental tuition in percussion, double bass, trumpet and piano
  • less specific improvisation classes

    Our team of jazz tutors includes:
  • Steve Berry
  • Dave Hassell
  • Steve Waterman
  • Eileen Guppy

    The skills learned in these classes not only equip students to tackle a wider range of work when they graduate but also enhance their basic musicianship. Students at the RNCM have such solid instrumental skills already that teaching improvisation is largely about removing inhibitions and freeing the players to play what they hear.


    Guests with the RNCM Big Band with Mike directing

  • Gerard Presencer (Oct 1999)
  • Nigel Hitchcock (Mar 2000)

  • John Dankworth (Nov 2000)
  • Ed Thigpen (Dec 2000)
  • Tim Garland (May 2001)

  • Dave O’Higgins (Nov 2001)
  • Digby Fairweather (Dec 2001)
  • Steve Waterman (Feb 2002)
  • Stan Tracy (Mar 2002)
  • Lee Gibson (May 2002)
  • Alan Ganley (Jun 2002)

  • Bob Mintzer (Nov 2002)
  • Don Lusher (Dec 2002)
  • Paul Newton (Feb 2003)
  • Tina May (May 2003)
  • John Wilson (Jun 2003)

  • Jiggs Whiggam (Nov 2003)
  • Ken Peplowski (Dec 2003)
  • Birger Sulsbruck (Feb 2004)
  • Julian Joseph (May 2004)
  • John Dankworth (July 2004)

  • Dave O Higgins and Julian Arguelles (Nov 2004)
  • John Wilson (Dec 2004)
  • John Warren with Steve Waterman (Jan 2005)
  • Anita Wardell (May 2005)
  • Andy Sheppard (July 2005)

  • Bob Mintzer (Nov 2005)
  • Pete Long (Ellington Night) (Dec 2005)
  • Matthew Herbert and Pete Wraight (Feb 2006)
  • Stan Sulzmann (May 2006)
  • Victor Mendoza (MD: Clark Rundell) (July 2006)
  • Tim Garland (Nov2006)
  • Digby Fairweather (Dec 2006)
  • Dennis Rollins (Jan 2007)
  • Jacqui Dankworth (May 2007)
  • Alex Wilson (July 2007)
  • Huw Warren (Oct 2007)