JAS ACADEMY SUMMER SESSIONS
JUNE 16-23, 2008
Band Edition 5
Congratulations to our 2008 JAS Academy Bands:
Rob Bickley Quintet
The Dana Lauren Sextet
Mario Abney Quintet
My Dear Disco
Now celebrating its 13th year, the JAS Academy Summer Sessions, is a nationally recognized education program, making a major contribution to the continuation and development of American Jazz. The JAS Academy is the nation's only all-scholarship jazz residency program, uniting the finest young jazz artists with the world's "jazz legends". JAS Academy Summer Sessions was created in 1995 out of the collaboration between JAS and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Washington D.C.. It was formerly known as the JAS - Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Colony.
2008 Application Information
Four bands will be selected to participate for this residency, based on criteria set by JAS. One band will be selected in each of the following disciplines:
1. Soul Jazz/Groove
2. Latin Jazz/World Fusion
3. Mainstream with Vocalist
4. New Orleans
Students who wish to apply to must submit the required application (click here for a copy), band photo, biography for each band member and bio of the band, demo recording (preferably CD) to include 4 tunes with a maximum duration of 20 minutes. Students must be able to sight read and have rudimentary knowledge of music theory. Students must be 18 to apply. Names & ages of all band members must be submitted.
Write your name and phone number clearly on the CD case. Label the CD case cover clearly listing the order of the selections and discipline to be reviewed.
Mail To:
JAS Academy Summer Sessions
110 E. Hallam Suite 104
Aspen, CO 81611
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 1, 2008! Decisions will be made by May 1. If you would like confirmation of receiving your application, send an email to jazzaspen@jazzaspen.org.
JAS will choose talented young bands to participate in the residency. Many come to JAS's attention thought its extensive network of jazz masters, including JAS Academy Artistic Director, Christian McBride. The young artists come from diverse backgrounds, some studying at the top music schools in the country, including Juilliard, Berklee, New England Conservatory and the University of Miami. They are the recipients of many of the top awards in their field and perform regularly throughout the United States and beyond, having already distinguished themselves as gifted artists with the well deserved expectation to sustain a professional career in performance.
In the summer of 2000, critically acclaimed musician Christian McBride, considered one of the "most in demand" bass players in the world, became the JAS Academy's first Artistic Director. McBride, along with Program Director Loren Schoenberg, host a series of morning jazz seminars, combo rehearsals, instrument sectionals and "master-classes" featuring attending artist faculty (which in the past has included such artists as: Rosemary Clooney, Ray Brown, Dr. Billy Taylor Arturo Sandoval, Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Poncho Sanchez, Russell Malone, Dianne Reeves and Benny Green). In the evenings these young musicians and jazz masters stretch the limits of their own creativity in public performances.
Many JAS Academy alumni have gone on to lead very successful professional careers. Two alumni, Andre Haywood and Gretchen Parlato, have won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. John Sullivan and Jael Shaw are now playing for Roy Haynes. Alumni Richard Johnson is playing for Jazz at Lincoln Center while also working at the Smithsonian. NOMO was able to play the main stage at the 2007 JAS June Festival. Multiple alumni now have CDs recorded and many are now teaching master classes of their own.
In 2008 JAS has changed the dates of the Academy to coincide with the JAS June Festival, thereby giving participants the opportunity not only to meet and work with many of the great acts that play the festivals, but also to give them more public exposure while they are in the Aspen area.