Ronnie Scott’s has announced details of a photography competition and music workshops to run in parallel with the 15-day Brit-jazz festival in August, sponsored by Jazzwise. Pianist and keyboardist James Pearson will be presenting a drum clinic and rhythm section workshop with Sam Burgess and Chris Dagley on Saturday 8 August from 11am-3pm using the club and the upstairs bar. Open to amateur musicians and pros of any age, participants will benefit from teaching session or clinic situations. The Brit-jazz Festival will also feature a photography competition for amateurs and semi-pros. The club is looking for 15 different photographers (one for each night) to come and take pictures of the bands. Submitted images will be judged by photographers David Redfern and David Sinclair and the winner’s photograph will be hung in the club and at the Getty Gallery during their jazz exhibition in conjunction with Ronnie Scott’s in October.

A spokesperson for club owner Sally Greene told Jazzwise: “We’re inviting fresh new photographers to take part – they will all have their own style. It’s a competition, but historically only a select few photographers have been able to photograph inside the club – currently the two approved photographers are David Redfern and David Sinclair. There will be an exhibition in the Getty gallery during October to celebrate Ronnie Scott’s 50th anniversary. The images will include those by David Redfern and other images of Ronnie Scott's, and there will be a memorabilia section. It will be curated by a specially-invited high profile celebrity.”

James Pearson, the artistic director of Ronnie Scott’s, says: “Participants in the workshops will benefit from them by gaining an insight into the inner workings of a professional jazz musician experiencing the high level of communication skills required during a performance.” The art of improvisation, he says, can be taught in many ways.

“For a non-jazz musician, we will demonstrate improvisation in a structure they will recognise (i.e. a Bach choral reharmonisation, or an improvisation on a classical theme such as Beethoven's ‘Ode to Joy’). Making the first step is always the hardest, but for the true musician, once that step has been taken there’s no going back. These clinics will be a sharing of ideas, something that musicians should do on a regular basis. There is no charge for these workshops; we want to share knowledge and techniques with a wide selection of musicians. I'm sure we will also share some interesting stories and have some fun.”

Speaking of the Brit-jazz festival overall he says: “We wanted to celebrate the roots of this iconic British jazz club and specifically chose a broad spectrum of talent to join us. I’m personally looking forward to sharing the historic stage with the best talent in Britain today.”

The Brit-jazz festival which includes a stellar line-up of the cream of UK jazz including Courtney Pine, Julian Joseph, Evan Parker, Get the Blessing, Soweto Kinch and the Michael Garrick Quartet runs from 1-15 August. Over 100 musicians will be performing over the course of the two weeks, with double bills each night.

For full details and to book go to www.ronniescotts.co.uk or phone 020 7439 0747