Sunday, October 8, 2 - 4 pm

Music is a language of energetics, and in this workshop, we will learn and explore how to work in alignment with natural energetic principles on the bandstand. Playing in a jazz ensemble involves a particularly nuanced balance between individual and collective responsibility. In the first half of the workshop, we will focus on you, the individual, and learn some terms and tools for how to be grounded and present and why that’s important. In the second half, we will play in small groups (bring your instrument!) and explore what happens when we put these principles into action with real people in real time, using standard jazz tunes and the blues as a vehicle for exploration. Topics addressed include: how to know and feel when you are grounded, getting out of your head and into your body, holding space for your fellow bandmates with group attention, taking the lead responsibly, and tracking the energetic arcs of solos vs. whole songs. All levels are welcome! It is recommended that you have some pre-existing familiarity with playing jazz in a group.

About Dillon Vado

Dillon Vado is a drummer and vibraphonist who plays music that is an honest representation of a broad range of influences. Dillon is known for making music that is dynamic and complex but memorable and relatable. As comfortable laying down Brazilian grooves on drum set as he is improvising with poets and dancers on vibraphone, Dillon can be found playing with many of his own projects, including The Table Trio, and Amy D on vibes and drumming/composing for Never Weather, who released their debut album Blissonance in 2020. 

As a sideman, Dillon can be found performing with skilled vocalists like Christelle Durandy, Danielle Wertz, and Amy Dabalos, Brazilian music with Marcos Silva, the Oakland Samba Revue and Sandy Cressman, and many other projects, including The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, Silvestre Martinez and his Bad Hombres, The Michael Echaniz trio and the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra.