The Future of Jazz is Alive and Well at 3rd Annual 'Next Generation Festival'
BUENA PARK, Calif. Each spring, the Monterey Jazz Festival invites the most talented student musicians to participate in a special festival inspired by its continuing commitment to jazz education and development of top level jazz musicians and performances. The 3rd Annual Next Generation Festival came to an exuberant close on March 25 when Los Angeles County High School for the Arts became an unprecedented triple-winner in the high school categories, and the Cal State University at Long Beach Big Band was named the new champion of the Los Angeles basin area.
Over the course of four days, 75 events were held in five locations, including the historic Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Conference Center and the intimate jazz club, Monterey Live. Yamaha contributed eight drum kits and eight pianos: one C7, C6, and C2 conservatory grand pianos; one U2 and two U3 uprights, and one CP33 and two Clavinova CVP digital pianos."Yamaha has always been there for us," says production coordinator David Murray. "They will bend over backwards to get us what we need and the pianos are always in excellent shape."
"All the groups who audition are superior players," says Dr. Rob Klevan, MJF jazz education director. "It's a weekend everyone looks forward to. In addition to the competition and performances, there are clinics, workshops with the judges and jam sessions. Everything is free and open to the public."
The festival opened with a mesmerizing performance by this year's artist-in-residence, GRAMMY® Award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard and his quintet, and a Kick-Off Concert the next evening, both at the recently-renovated Golden State Theatre. In addition to an array of riveting student performances in a "Salute to Jazz Education," the Digital Music Education Project was unveiled. This newest addition to MJF's Education Program is an online program devoted to peer-to-peer learning experiences, including streaming interviews with prominent jazz musicians.
"This project grew out of my experiences of taking high school jazz bands to competitions and festivals," says Klevan, a former high school music teacher. "Kids didn't know which artists and recordings to listen to, and MJF has access to the best of the best." Interviews have already been conducted with Randy Brecker, Regina Carter, Shelly Berg, George Duke, Bob Mintzer and others. The Digital Music Project will also archive tips and lessons for teachers and house many classic jazz recordings.
Auditions were held for MJF's Next Generation Jazz Orchestra as well, and 20 young musicians were selected. "George Duke was there to judge the pianists and also gave lessons," says Klevan. "He couldn't have been any nicer, and the kids were so excited to meet him." In July, the young Orchestra members performed at Sweet Rhythm and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC and at four engagements in Paris, France. In September, they appear at the famed Monterey Jazz Festival where they will play with Blanchard.
"On last year's tour, all the kids wanted to do was play music. It would be 3 a.m. at a jam session, and I'd have to say, 'guys, you've got to get some rest. We have rehearsal at 9 a.m.!' And they would still say, 'but I'm next!'" Former members of the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra include pianists Benny Green and Yamaha artist Patrice Rushen, bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Chad Wackerman, saxophonists Joshua Redman, Eric Marienthal, and Dave Koz, trombonist Andy Martin and big band leader Gordon Goodwin, to name but a few.
For more information, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org.
 Los Angeles High School for the Performing Arts became an unprecedented triple winner at this year's Festival.
Photo Credit: Cole Thompson |
"All the groups who audition are superior players," says Dr. Rob Klevan, MJF jazz education director. "It's a weekend everyone looks forward to. In addition to the competition and performances, there are clinics, workshops with the judges and jam sessions. Everything is free and open to the public."
The festival opened with a mesmerizing performance by this year's artist-in-residence, GRAMMY® Award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard and his quintet, and a Kick-Off Concert the next evening, both at the recently-renovated Golden State Theatre. In addition to an array of riveting student performances in a "Salute to Jazz Education," the Digital Music Education Project was unveiled. This newest addition to MJF's Education Program is an online program devoted to peer-to-peer learning experiences, including streaming interviews with prominent jazz musicians.
"This project grew out of my experiences of taking high school jazz bands to competitions and festivals," says Klevan, a former high school music teacher. "Kids didn't know which artists and recordings to listen to, and MJF has access to the best of the best." Interviews have already been conducted with Randy Brecker, Regina Carter, Shelly Berg, George Duke, Bob Mintzer and others. The Digital Music Project will also archive tips and lessons for teachers and house many classic jazz recordings.
Auditions were held for MJF's Next Generation Jazz Orchestra as well, and 20 young musicians were selected. "George Duke was there to judge the pianists and also gave lessons," says Klevan. "He couldn't have been any nicer, and the kids were so excited to meet him." In July, the young Orchestra members performed at Sweet Rhythm and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC and at four engagements in Paris, France. In September, they appear at the famed Monterey Jazz Festival where they will play with Blanchard.
"On last year's tour, all the kids wanted to do was play music. It would be 3 a.m. at a jam session, and I'd have to say, 'guys, you've got to get some rest. We have rehearsal at 9 a.m.!' And they would still say, 'but I'm next!'" Former members of the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra include pianists Benny Green and Yamaha artist Patrice Rushen, bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Chad Wackerman, saxophonists Joshua Redman, Eric Marienthal, and Dave Koz, trombonist Andy Martin and big band leader Gordon Goodwin, to name but a few.
For more information, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org.