Learn to SING A CAPPELLA JAZZ!
A JAZZ A CAPPELLA WORKSHOP WITH JON SMITH OF THE SWINGLES.
 
ON 9TH MARCH 2024, NEW SUSSEX SINGERS hosted a vocal workshop at All Saints Church in Lindfield, led by
​Jon Smith of The Swingles. For more than half a century, the 5-times Grammy award winning group have pushed the boundaries of vocal performance, reimagining music from across all genres and presenting their trademark slick and stylish performances around the world.

Jon Smith is a vocalist, arranger and vocal coach from Long Island, New York. As well as member of The Swingles, Jon is an accomplished session singer specialising in pop, jazz, gospel and classical/choral music. He can (and does) sing anything and everything (including all voice parts!). Jon specialises as a coach and masterclass clinician for high school, collegiate, and professional singing groups across the world and is a tutor at BIMM so is brimming with ideas in how to get the best from singers of all styles. 

The afternoon workshop was attended by 56 singers from choirs across Sussex who were all there to try something new.  We explored different vocal techniques, and worked on two contrasting a cappella pieces for SATB (Oh How Beautiful, This Finely Woven Earth and a new arrangement of Stoned Soul Picnic). Some of us even rose to the challenge of group improvisation - it's not often that we're told to make it up as we go along.  
​
"Thank you for a great workshop today. It really made me think about singing styles but also the difference between chamber and choral symphony choirs. Such good brain food and fun"

Photography Sebastian Charlesworth