Jazz Vocal Masterclass with Nishla Smith

A vocal workshop for musicians looking to develop vocal technique while tapping into the language of jazz. Whether you are a singer or an instrumentalist who would like to do more singing/ work more cohesively with singers, you will learn how to make a jazz standard your own, exploring creative interpretation, storytelling, vocal and stagecraft.

What you'll get

Techniques to interpret lyrics and make creative vocal choices: how to use phrasing, timing and form to make a jazz standard your own
Working with a live band: how to communicate story, style, structure and form to your band
Feedback and inspiration to move your artistry forward
Tools to extend your range and vocal colours

About Nishla

Nishla Smith is an artist influenced by the musical language of jazz and driven by storytelling across her diverse practice. Her debut album, ‘Friends With Monsters’ was released on Whirlwind Recordings to critical acclaim, with Downbeat USA saying “While Smith’s singing is an entrancing beauty of its own, the true trump cards are her lyrics and melodies.”

Nishla is a Peter Whittingham Jazz Award winner, International Songwriting Award winner, and an alumni of London Jazz Festival’s Flagship Take Five cohort. She played the titular bird in Atri Banerjee’s acclaimed production of ‘Kes’, in Spring 2022, for which she won a UK Theatre Award for ‘Best Supporting Performer’, and has just finished a run as ‘The Jazz Singer’, a role she originated in Emma Baggott’s 2024 adaptation of ‘A Taste of Honey’ at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester.

She recently devised and directed a staged adaptation of Ravel’s Ma Mère l'Oye for 4-handed piano, contemporary dancers and storyteller for Opera North, and is currently writing a new musical as part of Antipodes Theatre Company’s Winter Lab residency.

Nishla is a vocal coach in Jazz Singing at the University of Manchester and regularly delivers workshops through the Abram Wilson Foundation.

“Her voice is exquisite, a symbol of unreachable beauty.” The Guardian

Ways to participate

Observer: listen, observe and take part in conversation/dialogue
Singer: bring a jazz standard in your chosen key to explore during the workshop
Instrumentalist: work with a singer to support the thoughtful creative interpretation of a jazz standard

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

Saturday 7th June 2025

$20 Entry (+GST & BF)

OR $35 for Concert + Workshop (Concert on 6th June at JMI Live)

11am to 1pm