JazzAmerica Conquers Central Avenue!
Sunday, July 25 set galvanizes crowd, evokes golden age of jazz
JazzAmerica brought its 25-piece Big Band to the main stage of the 15th annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival and breathed new life into the music of Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams and Count Basie.
Over 3,000 jazz fans packed the tent for the noontime set, which opened the second day of the event.
Echoes of jazz legends Johnny Hodges, Ray Nance and Ella Fitzgerald were abundant in Dara Karbassioun's alto solo on "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," Carlos Jiminez trumpet solo on "Take the 'A' Train," and vocalist Ashley Searles' heartfelt reading of "I Didn't Know About You."
Videos of these tunes and more can be viewed on You Tube:
Check out the website for the 15th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival:
www.centralavejazz.org
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JazzAmerica week XII: July 31, 2010
We're just two weeks - and three all-too-brief rehearsals - away from our second performance of 2010: Los Angeles Jazz Forum.
Los Angeles Jazz Forum is a venerable institution in the community. Comprised of jazz players, dancers and fans alike, Jazz Forum meets on the third Sunday of every month in the Moose Lodge at 1600 Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, CA. JazzAmerica's call time for that performance is 111:45 am; the downbeat is 1 pm.
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JazzAmerica 2010 to culminate at Sweet & Hot
Sunday, September 5 performances marks final concert of the season
Wally Holmes, producer of the Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival, just re-confirmed that JazzAmerica will perform its traditional end-of-season set at the Festival on Sunday, September 5 at 6 pm. (Call time is 4:45 pm.)
Sweet & Hot is the current incarnation of the LA Classic jazz festival. While the Classic featured "dixieland" jazz almost exclusively, Sweet & Hot showcases "traditional" jazz but has broadened its scope by adding musicians and bands that play swing, blues, gospel, gypsy and other jazz styles for listening and dancing.
Sweet & Hot is a long-time supporter of JazzAmerica.
About five ears ago, word of brass virtuoso Betty O'Hara's illness brought in donations from dozens of her friends and fans. When Betty passed away, her widow, Barrett O'Hara, established a scholarship fund for JazzAmerica from those donations. Festival producer Wally Holmes continues the tradition of donating a substantial check so that we can continue to offer top-notch instruction and to provide it tuition-free.
Sweet & Hot essentially takes over the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel at 5855 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Music begins on Thursday, September 2, with the annual Walk of Fame awards presentation, and continues all of Labor Day weekend. Eight different venues stage live performances non-stop from before noon to 'round about midnight.
JazzAmerica families are encouraged to "make a weekend of it" to enjoy not only the JazzAmerica set, but to bask in some of the vast array of jazz - presented in both air-conditioned comfort and outdoors, poolside.
Tickets for the entire weekend are just $100 per person. Hotel rates are merely $118 per night/per room, double occupancy.
For further information about the Festival, please pursue the following contacts:
- to purchase tickets: Laurie (909) 983-0106 Laurie 419@yahoo.com
- for information on Volunteering ( a great way to hear a lot of great music and meet & greet musicians):
Bobbye Marcus (818) 887-0120 bobbye70@yahoo.com
-for a full Festival roundup, visit their website: www.sweethot.org
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JazzAmerica repertoire
parts for all the following should be in your folder, taped, and brought to every rehearsal:
Walkin' and Swingin'
Tanga
Things Ain't What They Used to Be
Take the 'A' Train - (we're playing only the Strayhorn arrangement with the ASCAP logo on p. 1)
That Warm Feeling
Moten Swing
Alright, Okay, You Win
I Didn't Know About You
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Piano
(Pianists, please be aware of the transcribed Solos from Letter G to Letter H, and from Letter I to Letter J.
You are welcome to study and 'borrow' ideas from these Mary Lou Williams solos, but you need not learn them 'verbatim.'
For your audition, please be prepared to play an original Piano Solo in those places.)
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| JazzAmerica Will Meet on Saturdays, May 15 through September 5 |
Second Song for Download:
"Tanga," by Dizzy Gillespie
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2009 Summer Concerts Were Sizzlin'!
Last year, our fans enjoyed year's TWO JazzAmerica Big Bands:
= Sunday, July 26, from 11 am to 12 noon:
Central Avenue Jazz Festival
42nd Street and Central Avenue
in the heart of LA's historic jazz district
Two days of jazz - all Free!
= Thursday, September 3, 6 to 7 pm:
LAX Marriott Hotel - Roseland Ballroom
JazzAmerica East Big Band
(opening the Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival's
Walk of Fame night)
= Friday, September 4, from 1 to 2 pm:
Newport Beach Jazz Party
= Sunday, September 6, from 6 to 7 pm:
Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival
visit www.SweetHot.org for details
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2009: Full House for the Buddy Collette Birthday Bash!
Catlaina jazz club hosted a 'love-fest' for
JazzAmerica's co-founder, the legendary BUDDY COLLETTE,
as he celebrated his 88th Birthday on Sunday, August 9.
Where: Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
What: "A Tale of Two Princes: Prince William (Buddy) Collette and Prince Charles (Mingus) -
Music of Both Composers"
Who: Llew Matthews (p)
Dave Koonse (g)
Everett Turner (t)
John Stephens (bari sax)
Louis Van Taylor (tenor & clarinet)
Richard Simon (b)
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2009: JazzAmerica's 15th Year!
BULLETIN...
Jazz is cool again...
We're filled to capacity!
Saturday, May 30 marked the resumption of our summer "WorkChops.”
The turnout is huge, with nearly 40 students participating.
To handle the overwhelming demand for our tuition-free jazz classes...
We've opened a second campus: JazzAmerica/East!
Woodwind repairman and educator Orlando Castaneda
is running jazz education classes in freeway-close El Monte.
JazzAmerica East has already staged two performances this summer, and will open the Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival's "Walk of Fame" night on Thursday, September 3!
Where ~ Orlano's Wind Instruments
1230 Santa Aita Avenue,Suite E
El Monte, CA 91733
ph> 626.523.0069
Send inquiries to: ocowi@hotmail.com
*
Since 1994, JazzAmerica, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, has been Southern California's leader in providing tuition-free jazz education. We are led by our co-founder, jazz legend Buddy Collette.
Our activities include public concerts that feature professional and/or student ensembles, lectures, and panel discussions, all aimed at maintaining community awareness of America's indigenous artform: Jazz.
2009 finds us continuing our commitment to teaching Jazz to talented youngsters from throughout Southern California:
* Our collaboration with LACER (see www.LACERstars.org) continues with after-school jazz instruction at Fairfax high school in Hollywood
* The JazzAmerica Tentette performed on April 4 in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, and on May 10, Mothers Day
* We’ve booked 3 high-profile concert performances in 2009:
July 26 - Central Avenue Jazz Festival
September 4 - Newport Beach Jazz Party
Setpember 6 - Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival
For further information, please contact Richard Simon, Program Director, at UFOBASS@aol.com.
JazzAmerica
PO Box 661777
Los Angeles, CA 90066
{Read on below to view the highlights of our 2008 programs}
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JazzAmerica presents...
a November to Remember
starring
vocalist Brady McKay & pianist John Cocuzzi
with
String Fever! - classically-trained students from the
Verdugo Young Musicians Association
plus
The Young Lions - the afterschool jazz band from Fairfax high school
Sunday, November 23 at Catalina Jazz Club
6725 Sunset Blvd.,
Hollywood, CA 90038
cover charge: $15 + minimum: two beverages, or brunch
call for Reservations: 323.466.2210
for further information, visit: catalinajazzclub.com
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JazzAmerica Resumes VYMA Partnership This Fall
The Verdugo Young Musicians Association (VYMA) has again teamed up with JazzAmerica
to present a fall series of jazz "workchops" from mid-October through early December.
This series follows a highly successful collaboration in August of 2008 that involved over a dozen classically-trained students in a two-week "Jazz Camp."
While last summer's camp concentrated on ensemble playing and the concept of the "swinging eighth note," this season's series focuses on the "building blocks" of jazz, including the Blues, jazz scales, chord structure and elements of improvisation.
Special thanks are due Elizaeth and Brent Whitfield, parents of VYMA cellists "Sissy" and Arland Whitfield, for conceiving the fall program, successfully campaigning for it with VYMA brass, and recruiting a talented and energetic group of students.
VYMA will present the jazz ensemble as part of its holiday program on Sunday, December 13, at 3:00 pm at Occidental College's Thorne Hall.
Further information will appear on this website soon.
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Summer Concert Season Sizzles!
JazzAmerica's 2008 Big Band Ends on a High Note
Concluding its final month of activity, this year's JazzAmerica program showcased its 2008 Big Band in several high-profile venues:
--On Sunday, July 27, JazzAmerica opened day two of the Central Avenue Jazz Festival
Buoyed by a comfortable breeze and an enthusiastic crowd, the JazzAmerica Big Band sailed through an hour-long performance that ranged from the "early jazz" of New Orleans to jazz arrangements of Stevie Wonder pop tunes.
Even with some absentees due to prior commitments, the ensemble consisted of 29 young musicians. And despite their large numbers, the band maintained a tight, swinging groove throughout the set, never over-blowing and displaying an impressive control of dynamics and shading.
The audience and the band joined in giving a prolonged standing ovation to JazzAmerica co-founder Buddy Collette. An impromptu chorus of "Happy Birthday" ensued; Buddy observes his 86th on August 6.
Fittingly, after the concert many JazzAmerica families photographed their young musicians in front of the sign that denotes 42nd and Central Avenue as the storied center of jazz in Los Angeles.
(For more information: please visit www.CentralAvenueJazzFestival.com)
--On Sunday, August 31, JazzAmerica performed at the Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival
at the LAX Marriott Hotel.
A crowd estimated at 250 stood and cheered the 28 students on the bandstand, several of whom are headed to college this fall.
Festival director Wally Holmes expressed his delight with the sound of the band and the improvement of the soloists. He presented one check to JazzAmerica's treasury for our ongoing teaching programs, and another check to cover the Pay of each student who performed at the festival!
for more information: please visit www.SweetHot.org
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JA Swingtet & Poncho Unite for SOY
JazzAmerica's Swingtet, an 8-piece combo, opened for the reigning king of Latin jazz,
PONCHO SANCHEZ, at a fundraiser for Spirit of Youth (S.O.Y.) on Thursday, July 10.
(S.O.Y. provides educational opportunities abroad for disadvantaged youth.)
The event was held at Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood.
The Swingtet is comprised of JazzAmerica students who have studied the important "early jazz" works and recordings of Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines, Vic Dickenson, Count Basie, Neal Hefti and Eddie Heywood.
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JazzAmerica Fund Raiser: a Roof-Raiser
A full house enjoys
Buddy Collette Big Band + Ernie Andrews
Continuing their long association, Catalina Bar & Grill and Buddy Collette re-united on Wednesday evening, June 11.
The Buddy Collette Big Band presented a program of Buddy's original material, performed by some of the top jazz artists in Los Angeles.
Joining the band were two "legends of Central Avenue," vocalists Ernie Andrews and Linda Hopkins.
JazzAmerica needed additional funding to continue to provide tuition-free jazz instruction to young people. Since 1994, JazzAmerica has brought together hundreds of talented youngsters, tutored them on music fundamentals in general and jazz in particular, and presented youth bands in concerts at schools, seniors' centers, and jazz festivals.
If you missed the fund raiser, you can still contribute.
All donations to our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization are Tax Deductible.
Please address your check to:
JazzAmerica
PO Box 661777
Los Angeles, CA 90066
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JazzAmerica celebrated "Jazz Appreciation Month"
We held our JAM celebration on
Sunday, April 13 @ Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood
with
The Fairfax Young Lions afterschool jazz band
and
The Swingtet, an all-city JazzAmerica combo
plus
Plas Johnson and his all-stars, with Llew Matthews and Harold Mason
Thank you to all our young musicians,
parents, fans, and supporters
for helping make this a memorable day!
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What's It All About?
JazzAmerica is a non-profit organization established in 1994 for the purpose of perpetuating the jazz tradition.
Co-founded by jazz legend Buddy Collette, we provide tuition-free instruction in musicianship, ensemble playing, sight-reading, soloing and music theory. These studies culminate in a series of public performances including at least one major jazz festival.
Our students range in age from 11 to 20.
Our faculty is small in number, but strong on experience and skill in developing young talent.
To make the most of their JazzAmerica experience, we strongly encourage students to take private lessons.
To play in our band requires some proficiency--we need you to
--play with good tone and intonation,
--know the major and minor scales,
--read music, and
--practice at least a little every day.
We presume that you have an active interest in jazz--you play in a jazz band, you listen to recorded jazz, and you know something about Duke Ellington, Count Basie and the 12-measure form of the blues.
Our annual challenge is to build a new jazz ensemble. Typically about one-third of last year's students return. We begin in mid-May and end the first weekend of September (Labor Day).
Over the years we have helped nurture some of the finest young talent in the West, including several students who have won Spotlight Awards or Presidential Scholarships to Berklee School of Music.
As much as we hope to stimulate individual growth and musicianship, we build a new band (or two) each year with a strong emphasis on playing as part of an ensemble. Jazz offers countless examples of the thrilling possibilities that can be realized when cooperative-minded individuals combine to develop as groups.
* * *
Requirements include:
--ability to play major and minor scales
--ability to read music of moderate difficulty
--interest in learning about the jazz tradition (as played/recorded prior to 1960)
--willingness to commit to regular attendance on Saturday morning rehearsals in Hollywood
(several absences over the course of the summer are understandble and excusable)
Our instructors* prepare music that reflects the jazz tradition and challenges students to reach beyond their current capabilities.
Parents sign up for a "Bagel Brigade" and take turns supplying snacks to the 20 to 30 students at break time.
Classes run for two and a half hours in a safe, supervised and respectful atmosphere.
We rehearse as a group, and we urge that students commit to regular attendance and to private practice during the week.
And then...
It all comes together in a number of public performances over the course of the summer, highlighted by appearances at three jazz festivals! (details below).
*JazzAmerica faculty now includes:
--Roger Neumann - big-band leader, saxophonist, arranger, clinician with a national reputation
--John Stephens - bandleader, saxophonist, arranger for Benny Carter & Buddy Collette, teacher
--Dan Barrett - poll-winning trombonist, "early jazz" expert, arranger, recording artist
--Christopher Dawson, Rich Eames & Ed Czach - "adjunct instructors," pianists, recording artists
--Jack LeCompte, David Pittel and Otto Granillo - instructors in our Fairfax high after-school program
guest instructors/clinicians:
Terry Gibbs
Buddy Collette
Gerald Wilson
Alan Vache
Mark Shane
Pete Desiena
Les Benedict
Llew Matthews
---for further information, please e-mail: info@jazzamerica.org
or
contact Program Director Richard Simon at UFOBASS@aol.com
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JazzAmerica in the Lions' Den!
after-school jazz instruction comes to Farifax High School.
JazzAmerica, partnering with the Beyond the Bell foundation and LACER, is now teaching jazz on Monday and Wednesday afternoons on the campus, located at the intersection of Fairfax and Melrose avenues.
While some of the students are enrolled in band or orchestra during the day, other aspiring jazz students of Fairfax high school are taking part as well.
"Right now, we're still in 'marching band mode,'" says Ray Vizcarra, the popular and dynamic music instructor of the Lions marching band. "But once these competitions are finished, we want to see our band students, and others not currently in band, take advantage of this new jazz program."
Instruction is being offered in trumpet (by instructor David Pittel), trombone (by Otto Granillo), woodwinds (by John Stephens), percussion (by Jack LeCompte) and bass (by Richard Simon).
JazzAmerica and LACER have been frequent partners in after-school instruction since 1995. Starting at LeConte middle school, their collaborative efforts then spread to Bancroft and Washington Irving middle schools. "We're excited about this new venture into the high schools," says LACER Executive Director Linda Ortiz. "We're delighted to see some of our former middle school students now at Fairfax in the new after-school programs here."
Bassist Simon, who doubles as JazzAmerica's Program Director, sees an extra benefit in the new program: "We have conducted summertime Saturday jazz workshops since our inception in 1994," he says. "Now we'll have a new crop of jazz students from Fairfax to strengthen the summer band."
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proudly presenting...
JazzAmerica: 14 Years of Tuition-Free Jazz Instruction!
As we look back on our concert series of 2007, let's take a moment to salute the co-founder of JazzAmerica, Buddy Collette.
Buddy is a world-renowned, highly-respected musician, civil rights activist and educator:
* he has performed on hundreds of recordings, movie sound tracks and concert stages worldwide
* he was the first black musician to perform on national television, and he helped bring about the amalgamation of the segregated black and white musicians' unions
* he has dedicated his life to sharing his musical knowledge--whether it meant leading a band while serving in the Air Force, teaching at numerous colleges an universities, or tutoring Eric Dolphy, James Newton and scores of others
JazzAmerica began with Buddy instituting an after-school music program at LeConte middle school, where there had been no music instruction for nine years. With the volunteer help of long-time colleagues including Jackie Kelso, John Stephens, Fritz Wise and Richard Simon, Buddy saw to it that old instruments were repaired or replaced, and a new music program was established, eventually spreading to Washington Irving and Bancroft middle schools as well.
Then Buddy launched the Saturday program for high school students. The original faculty included the late trumpeter Bobby Bryant, pianist Gerald Wiggins, trombonist George Bohanon, and percussionist Ndugu Chancler. More than ninety students from all over Los Angeles took part.
Over the years, this program has built a reputation for enhancing the skills of many young musicians. JazzAmerica alumni often go on to attend Cal Arts, Berklee College of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music, and some have already become established as professional musicians.
We pledge to uphold Buddy Collette's commitment to nurturing talent in an atmosphere that combines hard work, mutual respect...and fun!
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JazzAmerica's Season-Ender is Sweet & Hot
After impressing the fans in Irvine on the last Friday in August, JA ended its season with a set at LA's other major cultural event during Labor Day Weekend: the Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival.
Producer Wally Holmes and philanthropist Barrett O'Hara are staunch supporters of JazzAmerica. We salute them and their tireless efforts to keep "traditional" jazz alive for a new generation.
Guest artists included Eddie Higgins, Herb Jeffries, Dan Barrett, Howard Alden, Jake Hanna, and dozens more.
For information on this exceptional festival, please visit: www.SweetHot.org.
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WestCoast Jazz Party Fun...and Funds!
JazzAmerica inspires the producer & the fans at the West Coast Jazz Party
To the cheers and applause of the audience during the JazzAmerica set, Producer Joe Rothman turned The Irvine Marriott into a spontaneous fundraiser for JazzAmerica last August 31.
Along with hosting hosting the 13th annual West Coast Jazz Party, Joe renewed his commitment to jazz education by donating $1,000 himself, and then urging the capacity crowd to follow his lead. Nearly $4,000 was donated, and more checks still arriving weekly from just that single performance.
JazzAmerica salutes Joe Rothman, his partner John McClure, and all the wonderful individuals who cheered our youngsters and made donations to "the cause"of continuing jazz education.
This world-class festival also featured James Moody, Tamir Hendelman, Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski, and the trumpet world's remarkable Byron Stripling, who guested as soloist and section player during the JA set.
For more info on this and future Joe Rothman events, please call 949.759.5003 or visit westcoastjazzparty.com
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JazzAmerica Conquers Central Avenue!
JazzAmerica's Big Band dazzles the crowd at this year's Central Avenue Jazz Festival
On Sunday, July 29th, 33 young JazzAmerica musicians "played tribute" to the Duke & the Count in a swinging, one-hour set. Co-founder Buddy Collette was in attendance, and received a standing ovation from his home-town fans.
Across the street from the historic Dunbar Hotel, the home-away-from-home for Duke Ellington and Count Basie during the heday of jazz, this rousing ensemble, conducted by Roger Neumann and John Stephens, kept the crowd enthralled from the opener, "Moten Swing," to the closer, a Benny Carter tune called "Only Trust Your Heart."
We thank the Dunbar Economic Development Corporation, Reginald Chappel, Michael Dolphin, Councilperson Jan Perry, Jose Rizo, and everyone else connected to the event for their support and encouragement.
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'Gumbo Combo' Bowls Them Over in Covina
Continuing its Spring swing
through the area's traditional jazz clubs, JazzAmerica's "Gumbo Combo" appeared at the Society for the Preservation of Dixieland Jazz on Sunday, May 27, at the Covina Bowl in Covina.
The personnel:
Connor Ferguson, trumpet; Zach Frotton, clarinet; Ryan Greenfield,
tenor; Casper Stockwell, alto; James Walker, trombone; Randolph Taylor,
trombone and tuba; Mimi Markoe, piano; Connor Vance, violin, guitar and
banjo; Amir Brook, guitar; Adam Goldman and Jack Fairley, bass; and Darby Wilson, drums.
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"Gumbo Combo" Makes Mothers' Day
JazzAmerica's early jazz band,
Gumbo Combo, received a standing ovation for its stellar performance on
May 13 at the South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club.
The one-hour set featured Connor Ferguson (trumpet), Zach Frotton
(clarinet), our trombone section (James Walker and Randolph Taylor),
drummers Ryan McCarty and Darby Wilson, new bassists Adam Goldman and
Doug Holland, pianist Melissa Haugabook, guitarists Amir Brook and
Connor Vance, and tenor saxophonist Ryan Greenfield. The
performance was dedicated to Casper Stockwell, the altoist who was
felled by a broken arm last week.
Thanks to the SBNOJC for its warm reception, not to mention its healthy
scholarship check and its payroll for our hard-working musicians.
Finally, kudos to conductor Dan Barrett for providing understated yet firm leadership.
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Note:
This website is still under construction.
For further information about JazzAmerica,
please contact its Program Director - Richard Simon:
ufobass@aol.com
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