DubHub becomes home of jazz this weekend

Jazz enthusiasts get ready for this coming weekend because the Dublin Community Center — better known as the DubHub — is inviting music lovers, seasoned performers, and beginners to discover why musicians often describe jazz as a language all its own. "A lot of people see jazz as a style of music, but it's really an approach to the music. You can bring that to any music," explained Paul Klemperer. "Jazz has a very fluid ability, it is very adaptable and it allows you to speak in different languages." Klemperer a jazz musician and teacher from Austin, Texas, will be hosting the weekend workshop along with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Dan Fox, who teaches at Berklee College of Music in Boston. From Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19, the DubHub will become a gathering place for performances, discussions, workshops, and jam sessions celebrating one of America's most expressive musical traditions. Fox will be bringing some of his students from the Boston area who have a jazz background and there will be a range of instruments and vocalists. "We both have a lot of knowledge and jazz technique, and this will be a cool way to share our different specialties in jazz education. For the past 20 years I have been coming up and putting on concerts throughout the summer in New England. This is a nice addition to that — to be able to share some of my experiences as a teacher, as well as a performer," Klemperer said. The weekend begins on Friday evening with "Using the Jazz Language: A Performance and Discussion with Saxophonist Paul Klemperer," a free presentation from 7 to 9 p.m. Rather than delivering a traditional lecture, Klemperer will demonstrate how jazz musicians communicate through music, using live examples alongside fellow musicians. For many jazz players music is a language, performers listen closely and respond to one another, building on a story they are telling without words. Through live demonstrations, Klemperer will explore concepts such as call-and-response, musical storytelling, and the art of listening as closely as playing. "There are people that play at the same time, and there are people that are playing together and connecting," he explained. "I feel that it's important to learn skills that will make you more sensitive to be able to play with other people." Audience members are welcome to simply sit back and enjoy the performance, but musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and join in on a few tunes, making the evening as interactive, as it is educational. For those looking to take a deeper dive into the world of jazz, the weekend continues with a two-day jazz workshop on Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., both days. The workshop is designed for musicians who want to expand both their technical skills and their musical confidence. Morning ensemble sessions will focus on improvisation, collaboration and broadening the participants' jazz repertoire. Rather than memorizing scales or perfecting exercises, students will explore how to find their own musical voice while learning to react and create alongside fellow musicians. Klemperer's instruction emphasizes the balance between technique and performance. He encourages musicians to think beyond the notes on the page, focusing instead on phrasing, dynamics, tone, articulation and stage presence. Fox brings a complementary perspective, helping musicians strengthen their ears, trust their instincts, and become more confident collaborators. His sessions also explore performing in a variety of musical styles, encouraging players to step outside familiar routines and discover new creative possibilities. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to put what they've learned into practice during the DubHub's, "Coffee House and Open Mic," on Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Klemperer and Fox will be the feature performers for the evening, but they are also going to mix it up and jam with the workshop attendees, as well as any open mic performers who show up that evening. The "Coffee House and Open Mic," is held on the third Saturday of every month and is free and open to everyone. While the workshop requires advance registration and has limited space, the weekend's events offer plenty of opportunities for anyone to enjoy the music, learn something new, or simply spend time surrounded by creativity. The Dublin Community Center is located at 1123 Main St. in Dublin. Those interested in registering for the workshop can email info@dublincommunitycenter.org.