Prof Greg Jasperse hosts jazz master classes at Wits School of Arts
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Jazz lovers are in for a treat! Leading vocalist and educator Prof Greg Jasperse is in residency at the Wits School of Arts, where he will host a series of master classes, workshops and concerts.
The residency is presented by the Wits Music Department and Fulbright. Jasperse, who is director of Vocal Jazz at Western Michigan University (WMU), is an expert in jazz voice, improvisation and arrangement. He also directs Gold Company, WMU's award-winning vocal jazz ensemble. A member of Vertical Voices, he has toured with New York Voices as a substitute.
Recent appearances include with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival and the Gran Canaria Big Band. He has performed with Rosemary Clooney, Dianne Reeves, Jennifer Holiday, Bobby McFerrin, among others.His voice can be heard on movie soundtracks such as 'Jurassic Park', 'Epic', 'Oz, The Great and Powerful', 'Star Trek' and 'Star Trek 2'.
A graduate of the University of Miami and WMU, Jasperse's music is performed around the world by many leading vocal ensembles such as Chantileer, The Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Chicago Children's Choir, and the St. Olaf Choir.This week he will provide training aimed at professionals in the jazz field every day till Friday, May 16, 2025 in the Music Room on the 8th floor at the Wits Art Museum.
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The sessions will run from10am to 12.30pm. A concert open to the public will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 7.30pm featuring a line-up that will include Jasperse and local artists in the Christopher Seabrooke Hall at the Wits Music Department.
According to Chantal Willie-Petersen, the Wits music lecturer who curated the programme, the residency is aimed at the training of students and the development of professionals. Through in-person sessions, it is aimed at promoting collaboration, fostering growth and building networks in the jazz community as well as the broader music sector.
The residency ends on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, with final individual and group sessions, starting at 9am. For more information, contact Willie-Petersen on chantal.willie-petersen@wits.ac.za
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