Jazz at Centrum

Announcing The Jazz Big Band Intensive

When we talked to Artistic Director John Clayton about adding two intensive workshops to our jazz education programs, he immediately named Big Band and Advanced Improvisation as the two topics he wanted to address first. Along with our larger summer program, Jazz Port Townsend, these two new workshops round out our 2009 offerings, all of which center on a common theme—improvisation.  Improvisation, after all, is what makes jazz so special, challenging and rewarding for the player.

We'll be announcing the Advanced Improvisation session very soon, but let's talk Big Band!

John has rounded up two of the best - Jay Thomas, and the legendary Bill Ramsay to join him in leading a Jazz Big Band Intensive, September 17-20. It will run concurrently with "Jazz and the Word" a new literary gathering led by Quincy Troupe.

In describing his vision for this program John said, "

Using the model that has been established by the classic, historic big bands, the Workshop Big Band will be comprised of soloists whose voices are honed to collectively produce a unique sound.  Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis et al, were all bands comprised of musicians who could improvise.  This successful formula will be explored in our workshop."

Visit our Jazz Big Band Intensive page for more information.

Preview of great things to come

I recently attended the excellent Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, where our own John Clayton is also Artistic Director.  John did a great job of assembling outstanding educators and performers, just as he does for us.  I was particularly eager to hear some people who will be new to Centrum this summer, including vocalist Gretchen Parlato, guitarist Graham Dechter, and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire.  All three were fabulous, which was no less than I expected!

It was also great to see our good friend Benny Green, who talked effusively about how much he's looking forward to being at Centrum again this summer.  His playing on the mainstage was predictably fantastic.

John likes to talk of the jazz world as a family, and it was nice to see several other members of that family there who have been on Centrum's faculty or mainstage.  These included Byron Stripling, Claudio Roditi, Kenny Barron, Anne Drummond, Romero Lubambo, Jeff Hamilton, Paul Keller and Joe Locke.  All told, it was a great four days of music and education in the midst of winter.  I hope you're able to hear some inspiring performances where you are as well.