Masterclasses

Masterclasses and Workshops by the festival's featured international artists.
Free & open to all.

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Finding the Groove

A Workshop with Pau Rosés
What does it mean to connect with the drums as a bassist? In this workshop, Pau shares his personal relationship with groove—how he listens, reacts, and builds pocket in different musical settings. Drawing from his experience as a working bassist, he’ll explore the practical skills needed to adapt across genres, communicate with drummers, and stay rooted in feel while staying flexible in style.

Fri 18 April
KAMP22 Studio 11 am - 1 pm

Sanepa Free


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A Piano Masterclass

A Workshop with Javier Galiana
Javi Galiana doesn’t just play the piano—he plays with time, memory, and improvisation. In this workshop, the Cádiz-born pianist invites participants into his singular approach to music-making, shaped by flamenco, jazz, theatre, and the joy of shared experience. Whether weaving through standards or inventing on the spot, Javi explores what it means to truly be present at the piano. A space for pianists and non-pianists alike who are curious about improvisation and storytelling.

Sat 19 April
Bass & Treble 12 - 2 pm

Naxal Free

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Jazz Drums & Improvisation

A Workshop with Guillermo MartĂ­n-Viana
Dive into the expressive world of jazz drumming and spontaneous creation. Drawing from his experience across jazz stages and multimedia art spaces, Guillermo Martín-Viana explores the drummer’s role in shaping time, space, and group dynamics. A special focus will be placed on the feel of rhythm—swing, straight 8ths, triplets, and everything in between—offering insights that are relevant not only to drummers but to all musicians interested in deepening their rhythmic awareness. Through listening and interaction, participants will explore tools to develop their own improvisational voice.

Mon 21 April
KJC Gyanmandala 11 am - 1 pm

Jhamsikhel Free


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Tools for a Thinking Body

Facilitated by Teresa Alvarez

“Tools for a Thinking Body” is intended to introduce or refresh some of the basic tools—exercises, practices, and concepts—for the body on stage. Our body possesses a deep, practical knowledge that goes far beyond what the mind’s consciousness can process. Musicians, dancers, actors, and all kinds of performing artists need a thinking, free, and active body. The heartbeat, digestion, breath, the subtle movements that keep our balance, music... Everything is movement, and everything is music. Through improvisational body movement exercises, we will explore how we can deepen our scenic presence and consciousness—both individually and as a group. How to BE in a particular and unique time and space.
We will use our own life experiences to investigate how to consciously and continuously shape our energy—integrating body and mind, time and space—through the practice of movement.

Wed 23 April
KJC Chabahil 11 am - 1 pm

Chabahil Free

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Behind the Harmony

A Workshop with Once We Knew
OWK, the Basel-based vocal band known for their earthy folk jazz sound, invites participants into their arranging and rehearsal process. Learn how they craft intricate harmonies and navigate group dynamics while building a cohesive vocal ensemble. Formed at Jazzcampus Basel in 2023, OWK brings together four voices united by a shared love for warm textures and polyphonic storytelling. A must-attend session for vocalists, arrangers, and ensemble leaders.

Wed 23 April
KJC Chabahil 2 - 4 pm

Chabahil Free


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Inside the Jazz Ensemble

A Masterclass with Martin Zenker
How do you make a band truly play together? In this ensemble workshop, Martin Zenker dives into the essentials of playing in a jazz group—listening, interaction, balance, and time. With decades of experience as a bassist, bandleader, and educator across continents, Martin guides participants through the subtle art of making the music feel good as a group. Currently based in Hamburg, Martin has led jazz education programs in South Korea and Mongolia, bringing a rich global perspective to ensemble playing. Open to all instrumentalists and vocalists interested in deepening their ensemble skills.

Wed 24 April
KJC Gyanmandala 11 am - 1 pm

Jhamsikhel Free


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Territories of Sound

Decolonial Approaches to Music-Making by Lucas Fixel

Brazilian drummer, composer, and educator Lucas Fixel offers an open workshop exploring his original compositions and the creative process behind them. Using selected pieces as a starting point, he will guide participants through collective musical experiences involving writing, listening, improvisation, and invention.Rooted in a decolonial perspective, the workshop invites reflection and practice around musical form, melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, interaction, narrative, and invention, opening space for diverse ways of thinking and making music. Participants will engage with multiple forms of musical notation—from traditional scores to graphic representations, oral systems, and intuitive methods—broadening the possibilities of musical expression and communication.
Open to musicians of all instruments who are interested in creative processes, deep listening, and intercultural exchange.

Fri 25 April
Moksh Upstairs 11 am - 1 pm

Jhamsikhel Free


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Learning Jazz Standards & Building Repertoire as a Jazz Guitarist

Siddharth Gautam
Embarking on the journey of learning jazz standards can feel daunting, especially for guitarists transitioning from rock, metal, or other genres where note-for-note tablature often guides the way. Jazz, however, invites us into a world of improvisation, interpretation, and collaboration—a musical language where guitar parts aren’t always written, and creativity thrives in the spaces between the notes. For many of us, discovering jazz later in life adds an extra layer of challenge, as we recalibrate our ears, hands, and minds to this beautiful art form. This workshop is designed to demystify the process and equip you with a structured approach and tools to learning and playing jazz standards as a guitarist with confidence.

Fri 25 April
KJC Gyanmandala 2 - 4 pm

Jhamsikhel Free


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Jazz Vocals & Improvisation

A Workshop by Jatziri Gallegos
This masterclass explores the stylistic foundations of jazz singing and guides participants through various vocal improvisation techniques tailored specifically for jazz vocalists. Through practical exercises, singers will develop their ability to interpret, stylize, and improvise within the jazz tradition.

Fri 25 April
KJC Gyanmandala 2 - 4 pm

Jhamsikhel Free


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Jazz Voice & Improvisation

A Masterclass by Carole Alston
This masterclass explores the stylistic foundations of jazz singing and guides participants through various vocal improvisation techniques tailored specifically for jazz vocalists. Through practical exercises, singers will develop their ability to interpret, stylize, and improvise within the jazz tradition.

Fri 28 April
Moksh Upstairs 11 am - 1 pm

Jhamsikhel Free


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New Orleans Jazz Improvisation

A Masterclass by Pathorn Srikaranonda
What did jazz improvisation sound like in its earliest days? In this workshop, Thai saxophonist and educator Pathorn Srikaranonda explores the roots of jazz through the collective and melodic improvisation techniques of New Orleans jazz. Drawing from years of performance, teaching, and study, Pathorn sheds light on the phrasing, interplay, and ensemble feel that shaped early jazz—and how it still resonates in today’s music. A session for players of all instruments who want to connect with the origins of the art form.

Tue 29 April
Moksh Upstairs 11 am - 1 pm

Jhamsikhel Free


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Tracing the Legacy

A JAzz History Session by Paul Tynan
What better way to begin International Jazz Day celebrations than with an inspiring deep dive into the music’s rich history? Acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and educator Paul Tynan takes us on a journey through the roots, revolutions, and timeless moments that shaped jazz as we know it. With stories, recordings, and insights from a life spent on stages and in classrooms around the world, this session offers musicians and listeners alike a chance to reflect on the legacy—and future—of this global art form.

Wed 30 April
Moksh Upstairs 11 am - 1 pm

Jhamsikhel Free