Limited Seating- Reservations are Highly Encouraged

Presents:

A ***FREE*** Public Music Education Class

Term 1: Every Sunday, 10:30am-11:30am Feb 18, 2024 - April 21, 2024

Term 2: Every Sunday 10:30am-11:30am, April 27, 2024 - June 30, 2024

All Sessions will be in Studio B

Old Town Center for the Arts

633 N. 5th St.

Historic Downtown Cottonwood

Class Schedule

Composing the Blues: Writing/Performing From the Heart & Soul Every Sunday 10:30-11:30am from February 18, 2024, to June 30, 2024:

Feb 18: "Storytelling with the Blues" Instructor: Don Whitcher. Don is a prolific songwriter and hit recording artist. This class will explore Don's creative process, from idea, to finished song, with deep dives into some of his most requested songs, and what he is working on, right now. -Completed!- Feb 25: "Exploring the Roots of the Blues" Instructors: Lee Zimmer/ Don Whitcher. Take a musical trip, through how the blues came to be. Lee Zimmer, Master Guitarist, and Professor of Music, is joined by Don Whitcher, in exploring the history, and evolution, of the Blues. -Completed!-

March 3: "Exploring Blues Instruments"

Instructor: Tommy Anderson Bring your instrument(s), and get a chance to try out other instruments that you might want to learn or use in your next project. Tommy will be bringing and demonstrating acoustic & electric guitars, Dobro (slide guitar), basses (4 + 5 string), ukulele, cajon, percussion instruments and harmonicas. -Completed!- Learn “The Nashville Numbering System,” as it applies to all instruments and every song you’ve ever heard. Learn how to transpose any song using the Nashville Numbering System. Blues jam session at the end of the event. -Completed!-

March 10, 2024: "Deep Dive into Blues Lyrics" Instructor: Don Whitcher. In this session, we'll delve into the expressive side of blues, exploring techniques to convey a range of emotions through music. Led by singer/songwriter Don Whitcher, and facilitated by Deacon Manuel Carrasco, participants will learn how Don shapes moods, and rhythms, to express his lyrics. With jam sessions and guided practice, you'll have the opportunity to share your own musical journey and connect with the deep, soulful essence of the blues. Come experience the healing power of music in a supportive and nurturing environment. -Completed!-

March 17, 2024: "Stormy Monday Sunday," with Lee Zimmer, this session will deconstruct a beloved T-Bone Walker blues masterpiece. We'll play, learn, enhance musical skills, share the blues, and play some more. -Completed-

March 24, 2024 "Bringing It All Together" with Deacon Manuel Carrasco. Review of skills, work on blues vocals, Student Composition check-in, playing Ain't No Sunshine, Stormy Monday, Guilty, and Collaborative creation of a Church of Blues Anthem. It's going to be a full hour of fun and music. -Completed-

March 31, 2024 "Easter Egg Blues" Familiar shapes, your unique expression. It’s time for REBIRTH! Making the Old New Again !

With instructor Tommy “Rocks” Anderson

How can you take a song truly make the song your own, as if it belongs to you and you alone? Don’t forget, your voice is unique to you! Be creative, find your own take on the cover, and have fun finding your voice in the song.

The best cover versions of songs are when they manage to erase the original from your mind. They are so good that you can’t imagine anyone else ever doing the song. Often these versions become the best-known versions and people often don’t realize that there is an original lurking around somewhere.

Instructors: Tommy Anderson and Lee Zimmer

-Completed-

April 7: "Waggle Tail Blues" local Master of the Blues, Don Whitcher, takes us for a Sunday Blues Drive. There will be a debut of Laura Lizak's "Waggle Tail Blues," Also: Student Compostion Check-ins, -and a section for blues vocalists. It'll be a music filled, fun-packed hour. -Completed

April 14: "Blues Harmonica: The Heart of the Sound"

Instructor: Tommy Anderson Featuring Arizona Blues Hall of Fame Member "Sweet Baby" Ray De Sylvester. A 1-2 punch of Sunday Blues fun. Bring your harp, or other instrument, learn, and play with one of Arizona's great musical treasures -Completed-

April 21: "The Vocal Blues"

Instructor: Don Whitcher -Completed-

April 28: SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTATION: Straight from beautiful Southern California, Founder of the Long Beach Blues Society, Living Blues Legend, Bill Grisolia comes to teach a special session on Blues Performance. Following the lesson, Bill will perform a 1 hour show for the General Public. Students are be invited to present their compositions, and join portions of the the program. Join us for this fun, educational, Mid-Term Celebration, of Composing the Blues: Writing/Performing from the Heart & Soul -Completed-

May 5: "Slide Guitar- The Cry of the Wild Blues"

Instructor: Don Whitcher

-Completed-

May 12: "Bass Lines: The Backbone of Blues"

Instructor: Tommy Anderson -Completed-

May 19: "Blues Songwriting Workshop"

Instructor: Don Whitcher -Completed-

May 26: "Memorial Day Blues"

Instructor: Lee Zimmer -Completed-

June 2: "Exploring Blues Landscapes"

Instructor: Don Whitcher -Completed-

June 9: "Hitting the Blues Pocket Like a Pro"

Instructor: Don Whitcher

June 16: "Father's Day Blues"

Instructor: Lee Zimmer

June 23: "Final Preparations: Rehearsal for Public Concert"

Instructor: Don Whitcher June 30, 2024:Church of Blues Presents: Cottonwood BluesFest 1. Instructors: Lee Zimmer / Don Whitcher Plus Special Guests: Suzi Schumacher, Sabrina Sandoval, and AZ Blues Hall of Fame Member Sweet Baby Ray De Sylvester, help us wind up Season 2, of soulful Blues and Heartfelt performances, and preview what is coming with Season 3, this Fall.

Presented in Coordination with our Fiscal Sponsor:

This project is supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.