One of the most important aspects of Jazz St. Louis’s Residency program is the work that takes place during the day with local students. During the week (April 1-5), this trio will participate in nearly 30 concerts, clinics, and master classes at area high schools, middle schools, and universities. This level of impact is rare and not seen in many other areas of the country.

On the weekend, you can check out this super-group (known as the Triumph of Trumpets) on the Jazz at the Bistro stage both Friday (4/5) and Saturday (4/6) nights with sets at 7.30 and 9.30 pm. For the Bistro performances, they will be joined by pianist Adaron “Pops” Jackson’s trio, which features Jahmal Nichols (bass) and Marty Morrison (drums). For more information, click HERE.

Auditions will take place June 3-6, between 4 and 9 pm on the 4th floor of the Centene Center for Arts and Education, located at 3547 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.

Important Dates/Deadlines

Application Deadline
applications must be postmarked by Friday, May 3, 2013. Once the application materials have been received, students will be assigned an audition time on the date which corresponds with the applicant’s instrument (see below). Audition times will be sent via standard US mail.

Auditions
Monday, June 3 – saxophones
Tuesday, June 4 – trumpets and trombones
Wednesday, June 5 – rhythm section
Thursday, June 6 – rhythm section

Audition Results
Results of the auditions will be announced during the first part of July.

Application Materials and Resources

You can download the 2013-14 JazzU application by clicking HERE.

The application is an editable .pdf. You can type directly into the application and sign electronically (you must save the application to your desktop before you can type into the fields). Applications and answers to questions can be submitted via email to phil@jazzstl.org or mailed to the address listed on the application. The teacher recommendation (for NEW students only) can be sent separately, via standard US mail.

Audition Tunes
Below are lead sheets in concert pitch for each audition tune. Only pick one from each category and REMEMBER, they are in concert pitch, which means that you will have to transpose if you do not play a concert-pitched instrument. Also listed with each tune is a suggested reference recording. Use the reference recording to help learn the tunes, phrase the melody, and improvise.

BLUES
All of the blues melodies are on one sheet and can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

Now’s the Time, Charlie Parker, The Essential Charlie Parker
C-Jam Blues, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, The Great Summit (recorded as “Duke’s Place)
Sonnymoon for Two, Sonny Rollins, A Night at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 2

STANDARDS
All the Things You Are, Johnny Griffin, A Blowin’ Session
Autumn Leaves, Cannonball Adderly, Something Else
Beautiful Love, Bill Evans, The Best of Bill Evans on Victor Verve

LATIN
Black Orpheus, Black Orpheus, The Motion Picture Soundtrack
Blue Bossa, Joe Henderson, Page One
Song for my Father, Horace Silver, Song for My Father
St. Thomas, Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus

Questions can be directed to Phil Dunlap, Director of Education at phil@jazzstl.org or 314.289.4033.

For the Residency that takes place during the week of March 4, we have put together an all-star cast of some of the country’s best musician/educators featuring Andre Hayward (trombone), Reggie Thomas (piano), Tim Warfield (saxophones) and Rodney Whitaker (bass). You will not find this amazing group of musicians outside of the Jazz St. Louis Residency program, which is a unique aspect of what we do. This program allows us to bring these artists to area schools at no cost to the schools or students. Many, if not all, of these schools do not have the resources to bring such artists to work with their students. Bringing professional artists into the classroom is an integral component in the development of young musicians. Ultimately, our goal is to help support area school music programs through our resources and the generosity of our supporters.

While the education activities at area schools are not open to the public, there are four chances to catch this super-group during their  Friday (3/8) and Saturday (3/9) performances at Jazz at the Bistro. Tickets can be purchased through the usual channels (metrotix or the Jazz St. Louis offices). For the weekend performances, the group will be joined by area drummer, Marty Morrison.

If you like this concept, check out our April Residency (April 1-6), featuring Jon Faddis, Terell Stafford, and Sean Jones!

2013 MO All-State jazz band final performance

Every January for the past 35 years, (this year 1/23-26) thousands of Missouri students, teachers, parents, organizations, and institutions come together to celebrate music education at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference (MMEA), held at the Tan-Tar-A resort in Lake of the Ozarks. Four days of concerts, master classes, and clinics are the draw, and while not the most compelling location for a state-wide festival, it is always a fun hang. This is also the place where the Missouri All-State ensembles rehearse and perform, including the All-State jazz band – of which, nine of the 19 members are participants in our JazzU program.

Over the course of a year, Jazz St. Louis has cultivated a meaningful partnership with the organization responsible for the All-State jazz band, the Missouri Association for Jazz Education (MOAJE). Together with Jeff Melsha (MOAJE president) and Chris Miller (MMEA VP for Jazz) we set about trying to figure out ways to make the jazz experience at the conference the best it could be. We decided to start with the All-State jazz clinician, settling on Terell Stafford as our first pick. Terell was agreeable and finished his stint as the MO All-State jazz clinician on January 26.

Terell Stafford performs at the MOAJE Jam Session

Over the course of the four days, Terell led rehearsals and clinics, performed for students and teachers at the MOAJE jam session, and sat in with Jim Widner’s big band for their annual Friday evening concert. The week ended with a performance by the 2013 MO All-State jazz band, conducted by Mr. Stafford. In all, approximately 5000 people were reached over the four day festival.

JazzU student, Ben Steger with Terell Stafford

Reflecting on the week, I was struck by the buzz created by our partnership. The idea was to be able to have an impact on students and teachers state-wide as we are currently only able to offer programs in and around the St. Louis area. Working with MOAJE and MMEA was a way that Jazz St. Louis could elevate its visibility in ways not normally possible. People from the western and southern parts of the state see what we are doing, and they want to be a part of it.

This venture also demonstrates how creative collaborations between organizations can have a positive impact on students. When we work together, great things can be accomplished. This year at MMEA, we were able to create an amazing educational experience for thousands of students and teachers. Mission accomplished!

For more information on the JazzU program and to download an application, visit the JazzU page on the JSL website:  http://jazzstl.org/education-outreach/jazzu/.  Audition procedures and requirements are outlined in the application materials.

Remaining questions can be directed to Phil Dunlap, Director of Education, at 314.289.4033 or phil@jazzstl.org.

Although extremely fulfilling, Residency weeks are one of the most involved and exhausting aspects of my job as director of education. This program is very unique, and thanks to the generosity of many of our supporters, I am able to do three each season, the last of which was this past week with Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts (A&C). In all, more than 1,000 students and teachers participated in the week’s activities.

The band arrived in St. Louis after midnight on the morning of March 19. Earlier in the evening they had performed two sets at Murry’s in Columbia, MO as part of the We Always Swing series.  I, along with the rest of the JSL staff, had just finished at the Touhill Performing Arts Center where we presented Herbie Hancock earlier in the evening. Needless to say, neither myself, nor the members of A&C, were particularly looking forward to the 8:30 am breakfast/meeting that was just around the corner to kick off the week.

We started that morning with a rather disappointing experience at the Soulard Coffee Garden, then hit the road for our first school visit at East St. Louis Senior High. It is difficult to prepare guys for their experience at ESL because the band is so good. There aren’t many students in this age bracket that sound this mature. Heck, there aren’t a lot of adults in the area that can play this well. Despite their talent, there will always be ways to improve, and having musicians of the stature of A&C for two hours is a rare treat for ANY high school. This means that instead of having to spend time working on notes, individuals’ sounds, time, feel, etc… the guys were able to address higher-level concepts, such as the group’s concept of sound, how the lead trumpet and soloists fit with the drummer’s ride cymbal pattern, and how each section’s lead player shapes the overall concept and feel of the section. Matt’s comment after the session was “Wow. What a way to start the week!”

After a break, the band worked with four of our JazzU combos in a four-hour teaching marathon (Monday is always one of the busier days of the residency). Our youngest combo worked with Wilson and pianist Gary Versace on the creative process, composing a piece on the spot that involved contributions from all of the students. The point being that sometimes we think so much about how and what to play in jazz that we can’t forget how fundamental and fun the creative process can be. It can even be collaborative! I walked in on the middle of the tune to find all the students involved, and what appeared to be Egyptian hieroglyphics scrawled out over every inch of the white board. Matt was wildly pointing to different sections, directing the ensemble to play, then pointing to students to improvise. At the conclusion, Wilson, searching for a name for the piece, looked out the window. After seeing the blue lights of The Fieldhouse across the street, he exclaimed, “we’ll call it ‘Blue Light Fieldhouse’!” I still have that melody stuck in my head…

Meanwhile, the Jazz St. Louis All-Stars were getting put through the ringer by Terell and Martin.  The details are too gory to divulge, but the educational content was high and just what they needed.

We ended the evening at 8 pm and headed to find some much-needed nourishment, which we found in the form of Pi Pizzeria in the Central West End. This place never disappoints and the guys in A&C were blown away. I highly recommend the North Beach Classico and the Central West End.

Tuesday was another early morning, departing for Seckman High School at 8 am. At Seckman, A&C worked with all three of their jazz bands. We found an amazing amount of talent in that district. In between sessions, I watched as Matt rummaged through the band room, finding all sorts of percussion instruments and noise makers. His concept and pursuit of sound amazes me.  To him, anything can be a musical instrument.

After a great lunch at Blues City Deli, we headed to the University of Missouri – St. Louis, where Terell and Gary worked with Jim Widner’s jazz ensemble. At the same time, Martin and Matt visited my jazz appreciation class where they played for my students. They discussed the evolution of rhythm as seen in the transition between New Orleans jazz – swing – bebop.

We ended the day with two more JazzU classes…not sure where dinner was that night.

Wednesday began with a morning performance at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the Child Life Playroom. These performances can be tough, as some of the children that attend have potentially terminal illnesses. Afterward, Terell Stafford said, “this was the most rewarding musical experience of my life.” It doesn’t matter what troubles you encounter in life, when you see a child fighting for their life, it makes all other problems seem so insignificant.

The day concluded with a session at Normandy High School led by Terell Stafford and our final JazzU group led by the remaining members of A&C.

That evening, Martin and Gary decided to catch the NY Knick’s game, Matt attended a play at the Rep with his brother, and Terell joined myself and Adaron Jackson (JazzU instructor) for an unbelievable dinner at Niche.

Thursday was a marathon day. We began with a morning performance at ESL Lincoln Middle School where many of the students had never heard jazz or even met a professional musician.  We continued a world away to the suburb of Webster Groves, where the band worked with three jazz combos under the direction of their band director, Kevin Cole. The students, which had just returned the night before from a trip to Ireland, were groggy, but eager to learn from the master musicians of A&C.

A short drive led us to our next session at Webster University and then to the Benton Park neighborhood where the group finished the day with an incredible, free community performance at Saxquest. There, more than 50 eager listeners packed the house to experience jazz surrounded by new and vintage saxophones. The guys even took a few minutes to check out their amazing saxophone museum located on the second floor.

The amazing energy continued after the performance with dinner at Brasserie. An amazing meal, surrounded by equally amazing individuals. It was clear that the love and honesty these guys emit from the stage is reflected in their general being.

The week was quickly wrapping up. It was already Friday morning! We ventured to the ‘burbs this time, where the group played for nearly 200 students at St. Charles High School. The energy was infectious. Matt even had students join the band on stage where they acted out a scene as aliens that were charged with traveling to earth to learn about jazz, return to their native world, and perform a jazz concert. The experience added humor to the concert while teaching the students to approach their instruments in completely different ways. After the concert, I received an email from the band director:

“Please pass my thanks on to Matt, Terell, Gary, and Martin. I was so inspired both as a musician and an educator. I was moved by their music and their approach to musical creation was inspiring. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to welcome them into our musical community at SCHS. My students learned more today than they will ever know. Thank you all so much for sharing your music with us today!”

This is why I love my job.

Saturday was our final activity with the band. From 9 am – noon, all of our JazzU students (55 in all) came together to experience these musicians one final time before their residency ended.  This session was different from others in that we were joined by two jazz bands from the Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Photo by Kent Phelan

After a short mixer, A&C began with a tune and opened the floor for questions. We then broke into instrument groups for an hour-long master class. Rhythm instruments worked with Matt, Gary, and Martin; Terell Stafford took the trumpets; JazzU instructor, Cody Henry worked with the trombones; and JazzU instructors Aaron Lehde and Andy Ament worked with the saxophones.  We finished the Saturday Session (and the week) with an epic jam session that consisted of a 45-minute version of “C-Jam Blues.”  Although considered a “rally” by anyone’s definition, the jam session illustrated many positive aspects of jazz—the best being that two separate groups of people, who until that morning had never met, can come together through the playing of a simple tune like “C-Jam Blues.”

A&C finished up the day with their final performance at Jazz at the Bistro, thus, ending their stint in St. Louis.

This leads me back to the beginning.  Sunday morning.  No musicians, no activities scheduled.  Just a book, brunch, and some much needed rest.

The concert, which takes place on Thursday, March 22,  begins at 6 pm and will be a mix of performance and Q&A.  Refreshments will be served.  No RSVP is required, but Saxquest is a small venue and there will be a limited number of seats.

Questions can be directed toward Phil Dunlap, Director of Education, at 314.289.4033.

This past spring, 85 students from the metro area auditioned to be part of JazzU, which is  now entering its 5th year.  Of those who auditioned, 55 were accepted into the program.  Groups, meeting dates, and times have been assigned and students are anxiously awaiting the mid-September start date of this intense, 32-week long program.  This new class of students represents the largest in the program’s history, with seven student combos (up one from last year) representing students from more than 40 schools.

The Jazz St. Louis All-Stars, which comprises approximately the top 10% of those who auditioned, took seven members into its ranks for the coming season (three returning).  A new twist this year is that four of the seven members come from the Illinois side of the river, which is the first time that a majority of the members have not been from Missouri.  You can read up on each of the All-Stars on their bio page, located here.

On the faculty side of things, we continue to offer students the opportunity to study with some of the finest musician/educators this area has to offer, including our Artist-in-Residence, Peter Martin, who joins us for a second year.  New to the JazzU faculty is pianist Adaron “Pops” Jackson.  Check out the full list of faculty and their bios by clicking here.

Because of generous support, we are able to continue our amazing Artist Residency program with three amazing artists/educators.  The Sherman Irby Quintet, Byron Stripling and Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts will each be joining us for a week, visiting schools, working with JazzU students and conducting master classes.  All of this concludes with weekend performances at Jazz at the Bistro.  Schools/teachers interested in hosting an artist should visit the Residency page to download the request form.

Also continuing this year are our 2011 Youth Concerts, presented by PNC Arts Alive.  Last year over 3000 students and teachers attended these concerts.  Featuring JazzReach, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to the promotion, creation, teaching and performance of jazz music, these engaging and interactive performances are great for students of all ages.  We are grateful to the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ College of Arts and Sciences for hosting these concerts at the amazing Touhill Performing Arts Center on October 10 & 11, 2011.  To check out the performance offerings and to download the ticket request form, click here.

The Emerson Jazz in the Schools program has brought Jazz at the Bistro artists into area schools for the past 11 years.  A few years ago we were able to make artists’ participation in this program a permanent part of their obligations while in St. Louis.  This year being no exception, all 18 of the artists appearing on the Jazz at the Bistro stage will do some type of education activity under the banner of this program.  This allows us to bring artists like Take 6, Ramsey Lewis, Kurt Elling, Freddy Cole and Stanley Clarke to schools  in the St. Louis area that would otherwise never have the opportunity to host artists of their stature.  This, of course, would not be possible without the generosity of the artists involved.

New this year is our first foray into the general music classroom with our new curriculum, Jazz Concepts for the Young Beginner.  Currently being piloted in five St. Louis Public and six Arch Diocese schools, this new resource focuses on teaching basic jazz concepts to general music students in grades 5-9.  Featuring 11 engaging and interactive lessons, students learn rhythmic, harmonic, and improvisation concepts as well as a solid understanding of the social and cultural climate that made the development of jazz possible.  Look for more about this as the school year progresses.

Without writing too much, let me just say that we at JSL are extremely excited for the coming year in education.  The best part is that all of these resources are completely FREE for participating students, teachers, and schools.  We wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the generous support of so many individuals, corporations, foundations, and collaborative non-profits.  Anyone interested in these programs can contact me, Phil Dunlap, at 314.289.4033 or phil@jazzstl.org.

Although the master class is free, we ask that you RSVP so we can plan accordingly.  Interested students and teachers should contact Jazz St. Louis’ Director of Education, Phil Dunlap at phil@jazzstl.org or 314.289.4033.