August 29th
Saturday
11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Rezá Azul is a vocal duo featuring premiere San Francisco Bay Area & Los Angeles vocal coach, Raz Kennedy and Teresa Kali, a professional singer, sound healer, soundscape artist and vocal instructor from Malmö, Sweden. This informed and inspiring team is excited to present Rhythm and The R&B Style, an enlightening, 90-minute group class, examining the rhythmic significance in American musical genres derived from African traditions.

Together, we will closely examine the rhythmic elements underpinning the character of Black American musical styles such as The Blues, R&B, Disco, Soul, Gospel, Funk, Rock & Roll, Jazz and Hip-Hop. We begin by exploring the music's African origins and how the elements of that genesis is evidenced in the musical expression through the American Black enslavement experience, finally discovering how those same musical elements persist in the music at the present time. 

Raz & Teresa will engage participants in a series of exercises and rhythm games. These methods will enhance the singer's understanding of meters, subdivisions, and polyrhythms - essential skills for "singing in the pocket" and "locking in the groove" which is fundamental in music based in Black expression.

Raz & Teresa will demonstrate how to recognize specific rhythmic patterns which define the music and how to effectively apply these rhythmic concepts in vocal performance. Participants will prepare songs to workshop. Raz & Teresa will provide analysis, sound examples and will individually coach each participant to cultivate an acute rhythmic awareness, adding dynamic variation and "dance" in the singer's interpretation of song.

These classes will take place at Raz’ studio location in Berkeley.