BRATTLEBORO — Open Music Collective kicks off its fall semester the week of Sept. 24 with a vocals class, jazz ensembles, and the introduction of Carl Clements, OMC's newest year-round faculty member.
Clements, who has worked in OMC's summer jazz intensive, took his Ph.D. in ethnomusicology at City University of New York, his M.F.A. in jazz performance at California Institute of the Arts, and his bachelor's in jazz composition and arranging from Berklee College of Music.
A sax player for more than 40 years, Clements has been studying North Indian classical music on the bansuri (North Indian bamboo flute) since 1989 and has performed extensively in a wide range of styles.
He's been featured on numerous recordings, including a CD of his original compositions for jazz quartet, Forth and Back; three CDs with guitarist Kevin Kastning; and four CDs with the eclectic jazz group Crosscurrent.
Moreover, Clements has performed extensively at jazz clubs and festivals worldwide, teaches at Amherst College, and performs and composes in the international jazz and world music scenes.
He'll teach weekday ensembles at OMC and is available for private lessons on woodwinds jazz improvisation. His class in jazz ensembles, great for those at all levels of experience, meets Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
Students will listen to specific pieces, share historical information, and play classic arrangements and compositions in a safe, informative, and encouraging environment. The cost for 10 sessions is $250 for adults or $200 for students. The class culminates in a concert.
Jazz Vocal Repertoire is taught by Jamie MacDonald Thursdays at 5 p.m. Compositions include choice jazz standards and music of the Great American Songbook.
Learning songs, writing charts, working with rhythm sections, counting off tunes, and improvisation are covered in all classes. Space is limited to six. Vocalists will sing with an experienced rhythm section. This class costs $225, runs for eight sessions, and culminates in a concert.
Offering private lessons are Clements, MacDonald (upright and electric bass, harmony, jazz vocals, theory, and improvisation with all instruments), Kate Parsons (piano), and Ben Carr (drums and ukulele).