Under the inspirational leadership of Paula Gardiner, who was nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Award for education, the Jazz Department offers diverse performance opportunities, combined with professional training relating to the contemporary jazz industry.

Performance platforms include the hugely popular student-led Jazz Time sessions every Friday evening, attracting a large and loyal public audience. The regular slot offers students with hands-on experience in planning and presenting live performances to a highly diverse audience, from seasoned aficionados to casual music lovers.

Following the success of Jazz Time, the College has been working in partnership with the Arts Council of Wales to take our students and leading international artists on tour to arts venues across Wales, each term. The summer term culminates in a jazz festival at the College and both the festival and tour offer students a platform to showcase their work to new audiences and gain valuable professional experience. Previous headliners include Quercus, Jean Toussaint’s Roots and Herbs, Vento Em Maderia, Get the Blessing, John Taylor and Darius Brubeck Quartet. The department also regularly performs at jazz festivals across the UK, including London Jazz.

Individual tuition is offered on bass, drums, flute, guitar, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, voice and other instruments by agreement. Group classes focus on the rehearsal of material from a variety of genres under the jazz umbrella, including standard, contemporary and world repertoire.

The aim is to equip students with skills across many styles within the jazz idiom and enable them to develop a mature understanding of jazz language, processes and repertoire whilst developing skills in composing, arranging, band leadership, self-promotion and events management.