Songwriter’s Toolbox
4th Saturday of each month, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Lab at Convergence
1819 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302
(Intersection with Crestwood Drive)
October Toolbox Guest Artist: Eli Staples
For our October 26th Toolbox, we welcome Eli Staples. If you’ve never heard Eli, you’re in for a treat! Formally trained as a classical organist and jazz pianist, Eli crosses multiple music genres blending jazz, R&B, Memphis soul, funk and classical. Eli’s first professional gig was with a big band at the age of 16 and though he might have ended up on the concert hall circuit, he found his inspiration in the diverse music scene and nightlife of Washington D.C. His songwriting is intelligent, always fresh and innovative, and he is an engaging performer.
Eli has travelled the world supporting major artists. His performance credits include touring with R&B artists Mya and Ashanti (both multi-platinum, Grammy award winning artists), performances with R&B artists Robin Thicke and K'Jon, jazz artists Nneena Freelon and Bryan Lynch (six-time Grammy nominee and Grammy award winner, respectively) as well as nationally known contemporary jazz artists Karen Briggs, Ken Navarro, Cindy Bradley, Jessy J, Jaared, and Grainger. He has also opened for Prince and has been a featured artist with the National Philharmonic at Strathmore Hall.
On top of that, Eli is an articulate music educator and will discuss his approach to songwriting and offer attendees plenty of ideas to kick start their own creative process.
The second half of the session we’ll conduct a critique session so bring a song, make sure you bring at least 20 lyric sheets and your instrument of choice. There’s a piano available in the Lab for those who are so inclined.
Hope to see you there.
What it is and how to get there…
The SAW Songwriter’s Toolbox is a monthly songwriting workshop series, held on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Lab at Convergence. Convergence's address is 1819 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria VA, at the intersection with Crestwood Drive. The Lab is a brick building facing Crestwood. It has no address on it, but 1781 Crestwood Drive pinpoints it in Google Maps. Directions: Take the Shirlington exit off of I-395 and follow the signs to Quaker Lane, then take the second left on Crestwood Drive. The Lab at Convergence is the first building on the left. Map: http://tinyurl.com/5wnz9g.
The Lab at Convergence is a facility that's part of the Convergence Church across the street, but SAW and the Songwriter’s Toolbox are unaffiliated with them or any religious group. The ambiance is secular, and the room is designed for performance. If you have a new email address or would like to be removed from this list, use the buttons below. If you know people who would like to join us, please bring them along or forward this to them, they can add their email below. Everyone is invited!
