Jazz Improvisation – To the Next Level in Your Own Way with Hannah Horton

Jazz Improvisation – To the Next Level in Your Own Way with Hannah Horton13th - 14th March 2027

Coda Music Centre and Arts Trust, Chewton Farm Rd, Walkford, Christchurch BH23 5QL

Jazz Improvisation – To the Next Level in Your Own Way with Hannah Horton13th - 14th March 2027

Coda Music Centre and Arts Trust, Chewton Farm Rd, Walkford, Christchurch BH23 5QL

On 13th – 14th March 2027 AB Workshops welcome Hannah Horton’s “Jazz Improvisation – To the Next Level in Your Own Way” – exploring melody, space and connection. Hannah will be running a two day workshop, exploring improvising with warmth, melody, emotional depth, storytelling, connection, groove and space.

This workshop will have a smaller number of participants (maximum 15) so this will give everyone enough opportunity to improvise, interact and receive some individual input.

Hannah Horton is an official Selmer artist, saxophonist and composer creating contemporary lyrical, groove led jazz on tenor and baritone. Her music brings together warmth, melody and emotional depth, with a distinctive sound shaped by storytelling, connection and groove.

Her new album Stories on the Wind was recorded live at Red Kite Studio in the Welsh hills with Sam Leak, Rob Statham and Steve Taylor. Written around feelings, memories and moments in life, the album captures a band playing with space, honesty and trust, placing Hannah’s tenor and baritone saxophones at the centre of a deeply personal collection of original music.

The release follows growing national attention for Hannah’s music, including Jazz FM playlisting, BBC Radio 3 airplay, a Jazzwise Taking Off feature naming her One to Watch for 2026, and a four star review from All About Jazz. Her recent work has taken her to venues including Pizza Express Jazz Club, Crazy Coqs, London Jazz Festival, Leeds Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival.

Alongside her work as an artist and bandleader, Hannah is an award winning educator and the founder of J Steps, a youth jazz ensemble for female and non binary musicians. She won the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Jazz Education of the Year for her work supporting the next generation of improvising musicians.

Playing level: As a guide, you’ll need an instrumental ability of Grade 3 standard or above.

This workshop will have a smaller number of participants (maximum 15) so this will give everyone enough opportunity to improvise, interact and receive some individual input.

Playing level: As a guide, you’ll need an instrumental ability of Grade 3 standard or above.

The weekend will focus on practical ways to help people develop their improvising in a way that feels natural and personal to them. We will explore how to shape solos, create melodic phrases, use space, think about how each note is played and listen and respond to the rest of the group.

Hannah will use three contrasting pieces from her own repertoire:

– Surfing Thermals for Latin groove, rhythmic phrasing and space

– Alone for atmosphere, emotion and different sounds and timbres

– Escape for swing, melodic improvising and ii–V–I harmony

There will be a mixture of listening, demonstration, practical exercises and plenty of ensemble playing. Over the two days, we will also explore interaction, supporting soloists and shaping the music together.

The aim will be for participants to leave feeling that they had improved, gained some useful ideas for their own playing and enjoyed making music with the rest of the group.

- Based at Coda Music & Arts Trust in beautiful Dorset, with excellent facilities
- Two full days of tutor lead sessions, four sessions per day
- Suitable for the following instruments: Saxophone, Trumpet, Clarinet, Flute, Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keys
- Workshop runs from 10am – 4.30pm, with two short breaks and a 1 hour lunch break
- Refreshments; Tea, coffee (including freshly made filter coffee), juices, a variety of biscuits, fresh pastries
- Prices range from £100 – £150 for two days (lunch not included)
- FREE parking
- Safe, simple, secure. We have now set it up for you to be able to book easier than ever before, simply BOOK ONLINE
- Payment plan scheme now available; pay £25 upfront and then pay monthly by direct debit for the balance
Alternatively if you have any questions on the suitability of this course for you we will be happy to help. Contact us at hello@abworkshops.com or by calling 07711 998058 and we will be happy to discuss your needs further.

As an approximate guideline; be able to play around Grade 3 standard. Please note, this does not mean you need Grade 3 qualification, it means your current playing level should be of this standard or better.

Regardless of your current level, we here at AB Workshops are committed to providing tuition and support at a pace that allows you to absorb salient points while good progress and motivation is maintained.

What do we mean by “grades” as a measuring tool? We use the ABRSM/Trinity “classical” syllabus, but in most respects this applies to the Jazz grades as well. If you haven’t taken any grades then please contact us to discuss suitability.

– Saxophone
– Trumpet
– Trombone
– Clarinet
– Flute
– Bass
– Drums
– Keys
– Guitar

You will need to bring your own instrument and instrument stand as well as a music stand.Drums: You’ll need to bring your own kit.Guitar/Bass: You’ll need to bring your own amps.

Price for this two day workshop ranges from £100 – £150 (lunch not included).

Refreshments; Tea, coffee (including freshly made filter coffee), juices, a variety of biscuits, fresh pastries.

Times for the workshop are as follows:

Arrive: 9.30am onwards
Session one: 10am – 11.15am
Morning break: 11.15am – 11.45am
Session two: 11.45am – 1pm
Lunch: 1pm – 2pm
Session three: 2pm – 3pm
Afternoon break: 3pm – 3.30pm
Session four: 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Participants of all ages are welcome. Please note: Participants under 18 will need to provide parent/ guardian contact details.

BOOK ONLINE