Jazz workshops for beginners

BY RACHELLE YEUNG

Tom Levitt, a 55-year-old Senneville resident, holds workshops Monday nights at the Phoenix bar in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. These workshops, for those wondering what kind could possibly take place at a bar, are for beginner jazz musicians.

Levitt, a saxophone player for 30 years, just wanted to give beginner musicians the opportunity to perform in front of an audience.

“The audience is magic,” he said.

While formal lessons and continuous practicing increase a musician’s skills, it’s the audience that makes it exciting, makes it real and makes it meaningful, Levitt explained.

“Players see the difference,” he said. “The first time, when they put the sax to their lips and play a few notes, they see the people at the bar smile.”

Workshops are somewhat of a jam session, with more experienced participants guiding the beginners, while giving them the space to explore their skills. Levitt’s official policy on who can join is: “If they bought their instrument that morning, they can play with us that night.”

Although the group has not yet had a day-new musician among its members, many have been playing for no more than a couple months. While Levitt admits that newer members can sometimes be a challenge to listen to, he prefers not to limit their stage time.

“I let them play as long as the audience will tolerate it,” he said. “After a few beers, the audience becomes very generous. They clap and cheer. They understand it’s an amateur night and everyone needs their chance.”

Singer Sharon Allaway has been attending these workshops since late November.

“It’s about teaching the guys how to follow a vocalist,” she said. “In turn, I learn to match their music.”

Even though participants are adults, generally about 40-years-old or older, when the time comes for their solos, their confidence falters. Allaway is there to lend a hand -- or her voice.

“Sometimes, I just hum along to encourage them,” she said.

The instruments and the type of music played changes with the flow of people who show up. Currently, regular members include a singer, a drummer, a bass player, and a couple of saxophones and guitars.

Participants do not pay to play, but they do not, including Levitt, get paid either; except the bassist.

“I like the idea of a bass player,” Levitt said. “The music sounds better, it’s more fun. You don’t really notice when it’s there, but when it’s not, something just isn’t right.”

The workshops are free and are held every Monday from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Phoenix Bar on Ste. Anne Street. Besides minors, players of all age groups and skill levels are invited to join. For more information, call Tom Levitt at 514-457-0323.