JOSH KEMP – Course Director
‘A fierce talent’ Jazzwise Magazine
Based in London, Josh Kemp has released 5 CDs of original compositions to widespread acclaim, and completed several Arts Council tours, performing at Ronnie Scotts and Jazz Clubs and Festivals around the UK. He is a hugely experienced saxophonist and composer, touring regularly with his quartet as well as pursuing a very busy performing career in London.
Josh is also deeply involved in Jazz education and is an experienced workshop tutor, having directed the Cambridge Youth Jazz Orchestra, and jazz ensembles at Uppingham Young Musician Week, as well as running workshops around the UK.
At Grafham, Josh conducts an instrumental group, exploring groove based and funky jazz tunes, as well as standards. His sessions are always, informative and fun, aswell as encouraging and supportive to students.
RUTH APPLIN – Vocal Tutor
Based in London, Ruth trained at the Guildhall School of Music, London, and has performed in venues around the UK and beyond, from jazz clubs and festivals to a residency at the Ritz hotel. A stylish and elegant Singer-Pianist, Ruth’s rich vocals and swinging piano playing evoke the sound of a golden era of jazz, performing material drawn from the Great American Songbook and singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, as well as more modern classics from singers such as Carole King, Stevie Wonder and Adele.
At Grafham, Ruth leads the vocalists, and runs group vocal sessions which include looking at vocal technique, performance technique, improvisation, song interpretation and repertoire. The group is supportive and encouraging to students of all abilities and levels of experience, with an emphasis on fun and enjoying singing jazz.
Nick is a jazz pianist and music teacher living and working in London. He studied at Leeds College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
During his twenty-year career, Nick has performed at many prestigious jazz venues in London, including the 606 Club, the Jazz Café, The Vortex, and Ronnie Scott’s. As well as performing and recording with his own band, Nick has appeared as a sideman for Mark Lockheart, Stan Sulzman, Jim Mullen, John Etheridge, Mark Nightingale, and Alan Barnes amongst many others. He also played piano and keyboards for the UK tour of the Motown tribute musical Dancing in the Streets (1998), featuring Edwin Starr and Jackie Graham.
In 2001 Nick wrote and composed an original piece Molly and the Owl, a story with jazz, aimed at introducing younger children to the genre. Nick has toured the piece successfully for a number of years now, most recently performing it at the 2015 London Jazz festival.
Nick also has a wide experience as a jazz educator. He has run regular jazz workshops for the E17 Jazz Collective for a number years, and has also taught on the Exportise Summer Music and Sport courses.
Jeremy has been playing music for many years. He enjoys playing a wide variety of music, and most of all plays jazz guitar and bass. He also sings a lot of old folk songs and blues music. He gigs semi-professionally and teaches Jazz at Grafham and gives private guitar and jazz lessons.
BERT SCHILPEROORT
Bert is a drummer, saxophonist, trombone player, singer, physicist and philosopher. He teaches music around Cambridge, and gigs regularly.
The January Course often features a guest tutor on the Saturday. In the past we have been visited by Pete Churchill, Julian Siegel, Nikki Iles and Alan Barnes. We will be expanding the number of guest tutors over both courses. Please check nearer to course dates for further details.
MARTIN KEMP
Martin plays clarinets and saxophones of all varieties, with a musical career of more than 50 years, spanning the Cambridge Footlights, Jazz and Classical music. He plays gigs all over Cambridge and teaches many private students. Martin was Course Director for two decades, and has now handed the reins over to his son Josh. Martin provides advice and mentoring for students.
Grafham Jazz 