2026 Dates now confirmed as
Sun 26 to Fri 31 Jul
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About The Original UK Jazz Summer School...
Winners of the UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education, we are a jazz summer school based in the UK which has, since 1966, consistently delivered the highest quality jazz tuition one can find.
It began in Barry in South Wales and has had several homes over the decades, including Porthcawl, The University of Glamorgan and Trinity College of Music, London. The course returned to South Wales in the summer of 2012 where it is now hosted by The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. This college is a beautiful state of the art facility which has benefited from a £22.5m investment. It backs onto the picturesque Bute Park and is only a 10 minute walk from the lively Cardiff City Centre.
We have many years of experience running the Summer School, and during this time have assembled a world-renowned team of tutors.
The course is open to all instrumentalists of all ages and levels of experience. We also welcome singers, who are specifically catered for by our two vocal coaches. We hope you find all the information you are looking for. Please take a moment to browse our Frequently Asked Questions page, and do not hesitate to get in touch should you require any further details.
Since the 2020 lockdown we have also hosted many live zoom workshops to students around the world through The Online UK Jazz School.
We now also offer video lessons and courses with some of our tutors, which include the ability to pause, rewind and rewatch the classes as often as you like. Every video lesson includes downloads of all the class handouts. Please see the video lessons menu above for immediate access to some of the best jazz tuition you can find anywhere!
What they say about us...
The Original UK Jazz Summer School has become a real highlight of my year. Connecting with other people through music is one of life's greatest joys. I just love the opportunity to develop my own playing whilst delighting in seeing beginners take first steps in improvisation as well being inspired by incredible playing from the tutors. And where else can you dance to Moose the Mooche?! (Stephen Roberts)
The elastic in my brain was streched and I've come away with more confidence in my playing. It's a safe place to try ideas in a supportive environment with tutors and fellow students. Get fully immersed in the course, take every opportunity to play and join all the offered activities, and you'll come away refreshed and inspired.Nigel Doyle
The Original Jazz Summer School is a unique experience for adult learners and is a safe environment for personal learning and musical development
After several years attending the Original Jazz Summer School gets better every time. Top quality tuition and entertainment from some of the UK's best jazz educators.
Repeat offender for many years because it is so good.
The quality of tuition is brilliant and the student Jam and jazz club a fantastic format to enable all comers to progress. Pete Churchill's choir is such an uplift it should be available on the NHS.
A fabulous week facilitated by a world-class team of performers and educators that will equally challenge and reward you with insights, support and practice in playing, supported by your fellow students. Awesome!
I have been going to this Summer School for 15 years now and always love it. The level of tuition is great, the atmosphere is very inclusive, friendly and welcoming. The standard of music we students get to listen to in the evenings from the tutors and assistant tutors is spectacular. I've already signed up for next year and wouldn't miss it for the world. In any case, I have many Summer School friends now that I only see once a year! Lorrie Benwell
This is a friendly informative course - you’ll learn a lot!! Form your jazz identity! B
Definitely by far the best, Peter
A lovely week in which we always have a lot of fun and emerge from the process as better musicians! - Matt the Sax
What a fabulous week! I can't thank you enough for enabling me to have an experience of a lifetime. What a wonderful bubble - challenging, stretching, supportive, scary, exposing, inspiring and joyful (I could go on!)
I thoroughly enjoy the total immersion in the learning and playing experience of fellow enthusiasts, surrounded by top notch professional tutors more than happy to share their knowledge and love of the genre. Inspirational.
What more could a musician ask, than to be immersed in music with such talented people.
I really appreciate all the work that has gone into organising such an excellent week of learning , collaborating and having fun . The calibre of tutors/musicians is just incredible Everything felt just right .Thank you so much ! Rachel
This week has been a real musical treat for me 😀 Everyone is so friendly and encouraging that you quickly relax into the atmosphere. The course has something to interest everyone. I got over my fear of the microphone and now l'm (almost) not afraid to sing a solo any more! Thanks to all involved. Jenny Davies
I have just had my first experience of the the UK Jazz Summer School. I have had the privilege of being in the company of the some of the best Jazz musicians in the UK, as well as meeting fellow jazz enthusiasts. I have taking away so much and plenty of tips and work to do to help me improve throughout the following year. I will be coming back for years to come. It has been such fun.
A joy of learning - from beginner participants to world class tutors! Everyone genuinely supports everyone else no matter what your level. You'll love it! Stuart Hassell
If you want to learn, be challenged, come out an improved musician and have an enormous amount of fun - this is the jazz course for you. Kate x
The Original Jazz Summer School is the best I have attended. The tutors are excellent musicians but also very supportive and helpful to the students. Whatever your level, from beginner through to advanced, you will learn a lot, have fun and make a lot of friends. Tim
Absolutely brilliant course. Fantastic tuition. Great fun.
The course was again fantastic this year. I had enjoyed it so much last year that I highly recommended it to two musician pals, both of whom attended this year and seemed to enjoy it. A third friend wanted to enrol as well, but it was sold out, such is its popularity!
The Original Jazz Summer School provides superlative tuition in a highly supportive atmosphere that is as enjoyable as it rewarding. The tutors are top notch and the college is the perfect location to host it. James.
Amazing opportunity to improve musical skills and play with and listen to such professional musicians! Tim Hood.
Unique. Fabulous tuition, wonderful concerts, a club vibe and great craic
Outstanding teaching in a very supportive context. Peter M
A thoughtful and structured course designed to support players of all levels grow their musical intelligence.
It's the most life-affirming, supportive and joyful thing you can do. It's also team-building at another level.
I loved every aspect of this course! It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in music with like-minded, friendly people, and learn lots from the excellent tutors. Joanna
