Jamiroquai’s Rhythm Section Masterclass
Friday the 13th of February was far from being an unlucky date for our BIMM Brighton students when we welcomed back Derrick McKenzie (Drums), Rob Harris (Guitar) and Paul Turner (Bass) from the funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai for an exclusive ‘rhythm section’ Masterclass.
The trio have been core members of the internationally acclaimed band for a combined total of 45 years, and have played a huge part in Jamiroquai’s success, which has included 28 UK charting singles, and over 40 million copies sold across seven Top 10 studio albums. One of their best known tracks ‘Virtual Insanity’ won the 1997 Grammy Award for ‘Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals’, as well as four gongs at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. Outside of the band, the boys have worked with a whole host of successful musicians too, including Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Bryan Ferry, Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue.
The packed-out audience enjoyed hearing about how each member first got into the music industry, their experience as session musicians, and running through the individual equipment they use on a daily basis. They even answered some revealing questions from our students, and had the room rocking when they played live along with incredible guest vocalist Shean Williams in order to demonstrate their impressive skills and techniques.
And if that wasn’t enough, the guys then performed an intimate sold-out gig at The Brunswick in Hove with their band Groovesonix, with support coming from excellent BIMM band The Raccoons who got the crowd dancing and in the mood for a night of amazing live music.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Rob, Paul, Derrick, Shean and The Raccoons for visiting us and making our Friday a brilliantly unforgettable one! We can’t remember the last time we danced like that!