4th International Jazz Guitar
Course 2008 in South of France with Robin Nolan (Amsterdam)
and Ulrich Hoffmeier (Berlin)
from September 2nd-6th 2008 in Hotel
„Residence Le Castelas“, Aiguéze/South of France.
The 6th Jazz Guitar Course with Ulrich Hoffmeier is the fourth to be held in South of France . For the second time we will spend the week in the lovely village of Aiguéze at the Ardeche river. We are pleased to announce, that Robin Nolan has agreed to teach as the second tutor this year.
Robin Nolan (photo above. photographer: Jens Palm) has his musical roots in the Gypsy jazz. Over the years he has added elements of other jazz styles to his playing to create a musical language all his own. His playing is powerful, expressive and melodic. Those who were lucky enough to have heard him playing will agree that he inspires an audience with a dynamic, creative and swinging performance.
Ulrich Hoffmeier is both co-organiser and tutor and as the musical director he attends to all matters pertaining to the course be it the running of the lessons or the organisation of the final concert, where his command of French allows him to M.C. .
The site
The participants of the 2007 course thought the new venue, the hotel “Le Castelas” was was well suited to host an event like this. Because of the compact arrangement of the rooms and the lounges a very relaxed and friendly mood arose immediately. It is only a few steps from your room to the lounge and there you can meet up with the other cats on the course. With them you can start a session or maybe discuss some urgent musical issues.
For those who want to pause for a little while the area has much to offer with trips along the Ardèche river by car or even by canoe. You can attend wine tastings in the many vineyards nearby or visit some of the many places of interest. There are many nice things you can do whilst on the course to bring out the holiday feeling.
The Tutors
Robin Nolan tours worldwide with his trio (photo on the right. photographer: Jens Palm) and has played with many of the big names in the jazz guitar scene: Howard Alden, Frank Vignola, David Grisman, John Jorgenson, and many more. His trio has been invited to many renowned jazz festivals, e.g. Montreal Jazz Festival, Barcelona Jazz Festival and were often invited to George Harrison‘s private parties. The current issue No. 53 of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine features Robin Nolan as the cover story.
Ulrich Hoffmeier is a member of the famous German orchestra „Das Palastorchester mit seinem Sänger Max Raabe“. There he plays various kinds of guitars and also banjo, mandolin, violin and other quirky stringed instruments.
If the tight schedule of the orchestra allows Ulrich Hoffmeier leads the „Premier Swingtett“ and a duo with singer Anja Sonntag. In this duo he plays 7-string guitar, „seven strings, lady sings“. More information on Ulrich hoffmeier on www.uli-hoffmeier.de.
The hotel
You will have an individual hotel room which is tastefully decorated. Two rooms with two beds and each with a bath room are combined with a living room to an apartment. Some few apartments have a balcony from which you can see the fantastic view over the Cevennes and the Ardeche valley. The Hotel has 25 rooms and for the lessons we have two big “saloons” but there is also the possibility to give the lessons outside at the pool.
If we run out of rooms there is the possibility to have some rooms in a close by hotel called Le Relais which is right next to the other hotel. Our hotel can lent you Mountain-bikes free of charge or for the water sport fanatics you can go on a canoe trip down the famous Ardeche. The hotel also organises hiking trips through the Ardeche valley and wine tasting sessions.
Yoga + Jazz, in Aiguèze!
For the Jazzguitar course 2008 in Aigueze we are happy to offer an additional program exclusively for those accompanying course participants and for non-participants in general. The Yoga teacher, Gyrotonic trainer and professional dancer Anina von Molnar will conduct a Hatha Yoga course (suitable for all levels) that will take place each morning while the guitar course is running. Please contact Anina directly for enrolment and any further questions concerning course theme or other details: 0049 821/ 5080654.
course price: 130 €
afternoon sessions for Private Yoga training and Massage appointments are available upon request.
Room price
70 €
Reservation
The participants have to meet all the costs of the hotel and catering direct with the hotel themselves. The hotel will take a 200 € deposit which will have to be transfered to the bank account of the Hotel Le Castelas to insure that the room is going to be reserved for you.
Konto Hotel Le Castelas:
Recipient: SARL RESIDENCE LE CASTELAS 30760 AIGUEZE
Bank: CREDIT AGRICOLE DU GARD
IBAN: FR76 1300 6000 4004 6234 0100 191
BIC Code : AGRIFRPP830
Important: The cheque has to say the full name and address plus the date when the room will be in use. Youir account statement works as booking confirmation.
Catering
The Hotel offers meals in the restaurant “Chez David” which is next to the hotel.
Breakfast costs 8 € per person and for lunch they can organize tastings from a little buffet for 10 €. The price for dinner is 25 €.
Travel info
There is a route planner on the website of the Hotel Le Castelas. You can also find the village in Google Maps.
The workshop
The lessons run from 10 a.m. through to 1 p.m..
We will have two tutor groups, one with each one tutor, half way through the workshop the groups will change tutors.
Everybody is invited to begin or join a session at any time.
On the last evening of the workshop a valedictory concert is planned in which every participant will hopefully take a part.
Please don’t forget to take a music stand and an amp if needed.
There are Sonntag guitars available for being tested.
Conditions
Deadline: 1st July 2008
Costs for the course: 300 €
Transfer information:
Please transfer the money as soon as possible to the account of
Ulrich Hoffmeier
Kto: 189545-104
BLZ: 10010010
Postbank Berlin
IBAN: DE24 1001 0010 0189 5451 04
BIC: PBNKDEFF
Your place on the course is not certain until your course fee has arrived on the account of Ulrich Hoffmeier.
We will send you the confirmation as soon as the money comes through.
In case of a cancellation
- In case of cancellations till the 1st July 2008 the complete course cost except for 20,-€ will be returned. After the 1st July 2008 there will not be any returns.
- In the case that we do not get enough participants we will cancel the workshop and will return all the money.
- The workshop can hold max. 20 people.
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