Music Improvisation Calisthenics: Feb 15th Workshop in LA, 1-4pm
Featuring Steve Ball, Nora Germain and Brian Lucey at Brian's Magic Garden Mastering studio in Atwater Village.
On Sunday Feb 15th, you are invited to join us in an in-person, live-music workshop designed for acoustic musicians who wish to experience the primaries of group music improvisation.
All levels are welcome, including beginners.
The workshop will be guided by 40-year League of Crafty Guitarists veteran, Steve Ball, assisted by acclaimed LA-based jazz violinist Nora Germain. And hosted by LA-based mastering engineer, Brian Lucey.
Acoustic musicians of all levels are invited to participate in this interactive workshop focused on developing skills in group improvisation. We call this work MIC: Music Improvisation Calisthenics, using practices, processes and games designed to increase our musical energy and group connectivity.
Like yoga, this is a guided process that stretches hands, ears and hearts in a warm and safe setting.
This work accommodates all levels, including beginners, in an inclusive, engaging, musical work-out. The only pre-requisite is a commitment to presence, play, listening, learning, and willingness to find and work at your own edge.
Who: Absolute beginners all the way to experienced guitarists, string players, acoustic instruments, percussionists, even vocalists are welcome.
Listeners are also welcome to offer presence, listening, meditation and / or goodwill.
Why this work?
to cultivate personal presence, developing focus and stamina,
to unleash creativity via group practice,
to develop and strengthen personal discipline,
to expand listening skills, and
to invite Music into our lives in a practical way.
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How: If interested, please RSVP by emailing info@steveball dot com. We will contact you to confirm your reservation.
Where: we are blessed to (again) be working in Brian Lucey’s Magic Garden Mastering studio in the Atwater Village neighborhood of LA.
You: After you RSVP via email (info at steveball dot com), please arrive promptly at 12:45pm on February 15th with a chair or stool to sit on, an acoustic guitar or any acoustic or lightly amplified instrument of your choice -- and open ears. We’ll wrap up at 4:00pm PST with a closing ceremony and exchange of contact info, where useful. Be prepared to work, play, listen, learn and grow together as we explore a series of tested music improvisation games designed to invite music into our hands, hearts and lives.
We: begin from silence (after introductions) and work in a “necessary talking only” mode to conserve energy and invite focus.
How Long: we will invest 120-minutes in an inclusive, curated musical workout that is open to beginners all the way to lifelong, deeply technical professionals.
For the final hour, we’ll have a Q&A, a surprise performance and a tour of Brian Lucey’s award-winning Magic Garden Mastering Studio.
We hope to see you there. Additional questions, please email us.
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ABOUT
Steve Ball — Seattle Guitarist, Composer, Ensemble Leader
Steve is a seasoned musician, composer, and founding member of the Seattle Guitar Circle, with a long career spanning experimental, progressive, and improvisational music. He’s played in influential ensembles such as the League of Crafty Guitarists, EXPOSURE, Electric Gauchos, Los Gauchos Alemanes, TROOT, and C3, and has collaborated closely with Robert Fripp and related projects. Ball’s work blends intricate guitar interplay with improvisation-based group dynamics, drawing on decades of performances, recordings, and global collaborations across diverse musical circles.
SB: https://steveball.com
EXPOSURE: https://exposure.band
TOM: https://tinyorchestralmoments.com
Electric Gauchos: https://electricgauchos.com
LCG: https://theleagueofcraftyguitarists.com
Nora Germain — Los Angeles Jazz Violinist
Nora is a Los Angeles–based jazz violinist, recording artist, and author known for bringing fresh energy to the jazz violin tradition. She was the first violinist to graduate in Jazz Studies from USC’s Thornton School of Music and has played on over 150 recordings while leading her own projects. Nora has performed and recorded with luminaries including Jon Batiste, Jacob Collier, Sam Smith, Lewis Capaldi, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Postmodern Jukebox, and she continues to champion swing and improvisation in modern jazz settings.
Nora: https://www.noragermain.com
Brian Lucey — Mastering Engineer, Magic Garden Mastering
Brian Lucey is a Los Angeles–based mastering engineer and founder of Magic Garden Mastering, known for his musical, analog-centered approach to final sonic polish across all genres. With a career spanning 30+ years, he began as a pro musician and student of Robert Fripp before becoming one of the industry’s most respected masters. Brian has worked on multiple Grammy-winning and nominated projects for artists such as The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, Ghost, Chet Faker, Depeche Mode, Lucinda Williams, Michael Bublé and Elvis Costello, and he continues to shape records with a blend of technical precision and musical intuition.
Magic Garden: magicgardenmastering.com
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The workshop was a rawking success. Super-musical and excellent work. And an exceptional team. I'm planning on doing these in LA every 4 months. 🙏🔥🪄