Jazz Conference has Eye on St. Louis....

Who: Educators, Students, Musicians (professional & amateur), Industry Representatives, Technicians, Producers, Exhibitors, Jazz Enthusiasts, Media
What: Jazz Education Network Inaugural Conferenc “Shaping the Future of Jazz Education”
When: May 20 - 22, 2010 9 a.m. - 1 a.m. daily
Where: University of Missouri - St. Louis campus
Why: A unique opportunity to network, visit with music product professionals, review materials and exhibits that provide innovative solutions, and expand one’s knowledge of jazz through on stage performances

St. Louis, April 26, 2010 - A new organization fills the void in the jazz arts community with the announcement of its inaugural conference in the Midwest. The Jazz Education Network (JEN) meets on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis May 20-22, 2010.

“Jazz is the legacy of our musical heritage. Our organization is dedicated to developing the jazz audience as well as promoting and advancing education,” said Mary Jo Papich, President of JEN and Fine Arts Curriculum Director at Niles Schools. A Co-Founder with President-Elect Lou Fischer, a Professor of Music from Capital University, Mary Jo went on to say, “The JEN conference is the perfect place for educators to network with performers, industry peers and jazz enthusiasts.”

The event unites the jazz arts community. There will be 30+ exciting clinics and insightful panels, along with captivating concerts available to everyone. “We look forward to gathering in St. Louis. It has a rich jazz heritage and about half of our membership resides in the Midwestern region,” replied Papich. “Evening concerts will be of particular interest to locals in the bi-state St. Louis area,” given the internationally acclaimed musicians and high caliber of talent. To date, the members who have registered to attend are drawn from 45 states and 18 countries.

JEN is the only organization of its kind presenting an educational conference related to jazz music. It plans to showcase professional musicians alongside student performers from across the globe. All musicians and clinicians are non-paid volunteers. Many of the artists and ensembles, including one contemporary jazz trio from Sweden, plan to do outreach into local St. Louis area schools.

No less than three bands will perform during each of the evening concerts. For a comprehensive concert line-up, visit http://www.JazzEdNet.org/2010_evening

Evening Concert
Featuring Clayton Brothers Quintet
Saturday, May 22 - 8 pm
This world-renowned quintet is the brain-child of saxophonist Jeff Clayton. According to Jeff, he and Grammy® Award winning brother bassist/composer/arranger John agreed to support each other’s preferred formats over 30 years ago. Jeff’s love of small groups led to the formation of their quintet. The band’s latest album Brother to Brother was released in November 2008. John and Jeff Clayton prove conclusively that while blood may be thicker than water, it can also carry an unimpeded flow of pure creativity. John Clayton (bass); Jeff Clayton (alto saxophone); Gerald Clayton (piano); Terell Stafford (trumpet); Obed Calvaire (drums).

Evening Concert
Featuring Rufus Reid OUT FRONT Trio
Friday, May 21 - 8 pm
Rufus Reid’s professional career began in Chicago and has continued since 1976 in New York City. His extensive jazz background and discography reads literally like the ‘Who’s Who’ in jazz. Reid has traveled, performed and recorded with many of the great jazz masters, including Gene Ammons, Kenny Dorham, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, Don Byas, Philly Joe Jones, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Dexter Gordon, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Farmer. The OUT FRONT trio is yet another chapter being written by one of the world’s truly evolving bassist. Rufus Reid (bass); Steve Allee (piano); Duduka Da Fonseca (drums).

Evening Concert
The U.S. Army Blues “Pershing’s Own”
Thursday, May 20 - 8 pm
Members of the U.S. Army Blues celebrated its 35th anniversary three years ago. In 1972, the Army Blues became an official part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” Over the years, it has evolved into the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. As a component of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the Army Blues is one of the few remaining professional big bands working today. The “Blues” were awarded their first ever “Wammy” (Washington Area Music Awards) in February 2008 for “Blues at Thirty Five.” CW5 Charles H. Vollherbst directs the band.

A sampling of school performances from premier programs will occur during the first JEN conference. Highlights include the Brubeck Institute Quintet. Its members belong to the Institute’s Fellowship Program, are winners of numerous DownBeat awards, and have performed at high profile jazz festivals. Last year, Sweden’s Hannes Sigfridsson Trio won the Swedish Jazz Federation’s youth jazz competition. The Niles North High School TAKE ONE Vocal Jazz Group is the only high school vocal jazz ensemble selected to perform at the 33rd Montreux Jazz Festival. They tour internationally with consistent, outstanding performances.

Clinics and Panels
Topical clinics and relevant panels are designed to draw students of all ages, educators and the laypersons: “Breaking the Mold: Taking Big Band Writing to the Next Level” with Grammy nominated composer / arranger Tim Davies, “Anyone Can Improvise” with jazz pedagogy icon Jamey Aebersold, and “The Evolution of Jazz Music in the 21st Century,” a panel discussion with Gerald Clayton, Stefon Harris and friends.

Industry Exhibits
Industry exhibitors number 50+ and will feature a wide variety of organizations in over 4,000 square feet of space. Expect to see equipment companies, publishers, universities, magazines and much more.

Meet Me in St. Louis Celebration
Friday, May 21 - 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Join a celebration featuring the best of St. Louis’ music and cuisine. The Jazz St. Louis All-Stars, along with surprise guests, showcase top and emerging artists to provide the perfect backdrop for a fun-filled evening. As you network with performers, clinicians, exhibitors and jazz enthusiasts, sample favorite nosh and local brews from St. Louis’ well-known restaurants. Buffet stations highlight recognizable specialties from St. Louis neighborhoods and districts: The Hill, Soulard Market, Laclede’s Landing, Cherokee Street, and The Loop. Guests will enjoy everything from sauteed pasta to hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. Savory seafood, vibrant Latin fare, and delicious desserts delight the taste buds. The “Meet Me in St. Louis Celebration” takes place before the Friday evening concert. Ticket prices are $45 on the JEN website at JazzEdNet.org/taste http://JazzEdNet.org/taste

JENerosity Project
An instrument donation drive will be sponsored by JEN during the conference. Attendees are asked to bring used instruments in working condition for the Tipitina’s Foundation in New Orleans. The non-profit foundation regularly loans its instruments to school music programs. If a school closes or loses its music program, the foundation will redistribute the instruments to other deserving schools. Items such as mouthpieces, jazz and concert band music, music stands, band uniforms and other related music articles will be accepted. For tax purposes a letter will be provided by Tipitina’s Foundation to donors who request one. If you plan to bring an instrument or have questions/suggestions, email JENerosity@JazzEdNet.org.

About JEN
The Jazz Education Network, commonly called JEN, is the not-for-profit organization that unifies, leads and strengthens the global jazz community. The organization -- and its annual conference -- serves as a hub for people who wish to advance education, promote performance and develop new audiences. Founded in June 2008, JEN proudly represents a worldwide community of people who are passionate about jazz and jazz education, providing them with the tools, learning and networking environment they need to pursue it. JEN is presently comprised of more than 800 members and continues to grow on a daily basis. For more information about JEN, please visit http://www.jazzednet.org/

Partners
University of Missouri - St. Louis, Symphony Publishing, Inc, JAZZed Magazine, Music For All, Alfred Publishing, 12 Points, Capital University, Buffet Crampon, Hal Leonard, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Arts Group, American Classic Tours & Music Festivals, University of Miami, Columbia College, Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, Jupiter, Anita Brown Jazz Orchestra, Stanton’s Sheet Music, Cornish College, University of Cincinnati, ASCAP, eJazz Lines, national Jazz Workshop, Pender’s Music Co., Vic Firth, Marshall University, Yamaha, University of Toledo, University of Kentucky, Jazz Minnesota, Jazz Education Connection of Ohio.

For additional information about the 2010 JEN Conference, including lodging and parking, please visit JEN’s “Conference Central” at http://www.jazzednet.org/
JEN Media Contact: Dawn DeBlaze, 308 Green Haven Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 - 636.397.5108 Office.