© Julia Austin-Brenes. All Rights Reserved. E&OE. Site by Basiq Design.
Testimonials…
Playing…
(Heads Up Jazz Quartet)
"...we were treated to their delicious interpretations of diverse material by the likes of Dave Brubeck, Amy Winehouse & Bob Marley, as well as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, the Police and even Pink Floyd, plus their own compelling original compositions..." (Redbridge Green Fair Music Club, August 2019) "...saw this fabulous band on sunday in Colchester at the Castle Pub a lovely afternoon with friends and this lot who i must say are brilliant look forward to seeing HEADS UP again in September. well done! great Atmosphere and music. x ..." (Sue Wickers (via Facebook) Aug 2018) "...I spent a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon and early evening with friends listening to Heads Up live at The Castle, Colchester..." (Catherine Wilkinson (via Facebook) Aug 2018) "...Brilliant... Really looking forward to hearing you at the Animal Aid Gig. Wishing you all every success..." (Ian Black March 2018) "...Really enjoyed your set today at The Blue Boar. Thank you :) x ..." (Julie Papworth (via Facebook) May 2017)
Teaching…
(Saxophone Group)
“… The first 'to do' on my retirement bucket list was 'learn to play a musical instrument': quite a challenge, having no background in music theory and little playing or performing experience of any kind on any instrument. I didn't want to practise entirely on my own or tackle theory separately from playing. So, a couple of years ago, I joined Julia's jazz saxophone class. I was made very, very welcome and, with Julia's encouragement, managed to contribute a few nervy bars on my alto sax in my first session. Since then, Julia's introduced me to jazz scales, chord sequences and musical ladders, using selected pieces to illustrate them. She's provided many opportunities for class members to try out different playing patterns, creating new possibilities for our own sax music-making. Our repertoire is wide: from blues to bossa, soul to swing and fusion to funk. Now, with Julia and the class group, I've performed at a number of local events and improvised with a live band in public. Not bad! Bucket list tick !! …” (SH, Brentwood) "…I was a classical flute player for many years, and was in an ensemble. I used to jam some jazz with some of the other players in the break, but didn't really know what I was doing, just harmonising and playing by ear. I then found a Jazz evening class run by Julia and joined. Julia's style of teaching was simultaneous, in other words we would work on different modes, chord progressions and styles along with backing tracks, and also along with the other musicians in the class as a band. Julia would always present the information very clearly including what scales and arpeggios to use to improvise, so we could work on all aspects of different jazz styles. Being inspired I took up the Saxophone and Julia encouraged me to go to jam sessions, and I eventually joined bands and played in horn sections. I went on to take Trinity Jazz Sax Grades 6 and 8, and then began my own teaching practice with Julia's mentorship. We are still good friends to this day. Julia is a fantastic all round musician and teacher and I have been to watch her play in different bands over the years. She is an impressive and inspirational musician! …” (Lorna Lancaster)
I
have
been
a
student
in
Julia’s
saxophone
improvers/
intermediate
class
for
a
number
of
years.
Apart
from
the
huge
amount
I
have
learnt
I
have
also
had
a
huge
amount
of
fun.
We
work
hard
but
the
classes
are
relaxed,
friendly
and supportive - Julia is incredibly patient!
I
have
far
more
confidence,
especially
at
improvising,
which
I
found
almost
impossible
when
I
first
joined
the
class.
We
cover
a
wide
range
of
music,
some
of
it
well
known,
some
new
to
me
and
there
have
also
been
opportunities
to
attend workshops and perform as a group.
(Susan, Bishops Hill)
With Heads UP at Valentines Park, Ilford
With Heads UP at Chelmsford County Hall
I
attended
Julia’s
Saxophone
Improvers
evening
class
from
December
2017
for
around
6
months
prior
to
moving
away
from
the
area.
I
found
Julia
to
be
an
excellent,
competent
teacher,
the
classes
were
run
very
well
and
were
always
interesting
and
varied
with
a
good
cross
section
of
musical
material
including
jazz
standards,
blues,
reggae
and
popular
tunes.
Although
the
class
was
mixed
ability
it
was
structured
so
that
everyone
could
contribute
without
feeling
uncomfortable.
Julia
was
also
a
great
help
providing
tuition for my grade 5 jazz exam and valuable guidance with the theory elements of the exam.
(Jon D., Cheltenham)
© Julia Austin-Brenes.
All Rights Reserved. E&OE.
Site by Basiq Design
Testimonials…
Playing…
(Heads Up Jazz Quartet)
"...we were treated to their delicious interpretations of diverse material by the likes of Dave Brubeck, Amy Winehouse & Bob Marley, as well as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, the Police and even Pink Floyd, plus their own compelling original compositions..." (Redbridge Green Fair Music Club, August 2019) "...saw this fabulous band on sunday in Colchester at the Castle Pub a lovely afternoon with friends and this lot who i must say are brilliant look forward to seeing HEADS UP again in September. well done! great Atmosphere and music. x ..." (Sue Wickers (via Facebook) Aug 2018) "...I spent a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon and early evening with friends listening to Heads Up live at The Castle, Colchester..." (Catherine Wilkinson (via Facebook) Aug 2018) "...Brilliant... Really looking forward to hearing you at the Animal Aid Gig. Wishing you all every success..." (Ian Black March 2018) "...Really enjoyed your set today at The Blue Boar. Thank you :) x ..." (Julie Papworth (via Facebook) May 2017)
Teaching…
(Saxophone Group)
“… The first 'to do' on my retirement bucket list was 'learn to play a musical instrument': quite a challenge, having no background in music theory and little playing or performing experience of any kind on any instrument. I didn't want to practise entirely on my own or tackle theory separately from playing. So, a couple of years ago, I joined Julia's jazz saxophone class. I was made very, very welcome and, with Julia's encouragement, managed to contribute a few nervy bars on my alto sax in my first session. Since then, Julia's introduced me to jazz scales, chord sequences and musical ladders, using selected pieces to illustrate them. She's provided many opportunities for class members to try out different playing patterns, creating new possibilities for our own sax music-making. Our repertoire is wide: from blues to bossa, soul to swing and fusion to funk. Now, with Julia and the class group, I've performed at a number of local events and improvised with a live band in public. Not bad! Bucket list tick !! …” (SH, Brentwood) "…I was a classical flute player for many years, and was in an ensemble. I used to jam some jazz with some of the other players in the break, but didn't really know what I was doing, just harmonising and playing by ear. I then found a Jazz evening class run by Julia and joined. Julia's style of teaching was simultaneous, in other words we would work on different modes, chord progressions and styles along with backing tracks, and also along with the other musicians in the class as a band. Julia would always present the information very clearly including what scales and arpeggios to use to improvise, so we could work on all aspects of different jazz styles. Being inspired I took up the Saxophone and Julia encouraged me to go to jam sessions, and I eventually joined bands and played in horn sections. I went on to take Trinity Jazz Sax Grades 6 and 8, and then began my own teaching practice with Julia's mentorship. We are still good friends to this day. Julia is a fantastic all round musician and teacher and I have been to watch her play in different bands over the years. She is an impressive and inspirational musician! …” (Lorna Lancaster)
I
have
been
a
student
in
Julia’s
saxophone
improvers/
intermediate
class
for
a
number
of
years.
Apart
from
the
huge
amount
I
have
learnt
I
have
also
had
a
huge
amount
of
fun.
We
work
hard
but
the
classes
are
relaxed,
friendly
and supportive - Julia is incredibly patient!
I
have
far
more
confidence,
especially
at
improvising,
which
I
found
almost
impossible
when
I
first
joined
the
class.
We
cover
a
wide
range
of
music,
some
of
it
well
known,
some
new
to
me
and
there
have
also
been
opportunities
to
attend workshops and perform as a group.
(Susan, Bishops Hill)
With Heads UP at Chelmsford County Hall
With Heads UP at Valentines Park, Ilford
I
attended
Julia’s
Saxophone
Improvers
evening
class
from
December
2017
for
around
6
months
prior
to
moving
away
from
the
area.
I
found
Julia
to
be
an
excellent,
competent
teacher,
the
classes
were
run
very
well
and
were
always
interesting
and
varied
with
a
good
cross
section
of
musical
material
including
jazz
standards,
blues,
reggae
and
popular
tunes.
Although
the
class
was
mixed
ability
it
was
structured
so
that
everyone
could
contribute
without
feeling
uncomfortable.
Julia
was
also
a
great
help
providing
tuition
for
my
grade
5
jazz
exam
and
valuable
guidance
with
the
theory elements of the exam.
(Jon D., Cheltenham)
Julia Austin-Brenes
Musician, Painter, Teacher
