Hear it! Learn it! Play it! It’s all about the music!
We hope everyone has some time to join us this Wednesday, May 16, for our next Bakersfield Jazz Workshop event at Le Corusse Rouge!
This week we are presenting as our Featured Artist The Jamael Dana Dean Group. Fresh from his debut on the main stage at last weekend’s Bakersfield Jazz Festival, here’s another chance to catch this 13 year old jazz pianist.
Also – REMINDER TO STUDENTS, PARENTS, & MUSIC TEACHERS: Applications for scholarships are due May 20. See below for details.
The format for the workshop this week is:
6:30 – 7:30 PM: Beginning Jazz Improv Class
7:30 – 8:30 PM: Featured Artist
8:30 – 10 PM: Open Jazz Jam Session
May 2012
May 23 – The CSUB Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jim Scully
May 30 – The BJW Beginning Jazz Ensemble (class) Recital
NEWS
We’ve been busy making plans for our next FREE clinic / concert and are really excited about our next one! On June 13 we’re going to have internationally known jazz pianist Haakon Graf as our clinician.
Originally from Oslo, Norway, and now residing in Marina Del Rey, Haakon has won a European Grammy for best electric jazz record and has served as a judge for the same competition. He has played with jazz heavyweights too numerous to mention. (His current band, Grafitti, features U Nam (guitar), Gary Grainger (bass), and Dennis Chambers (drums).) He’ll be backed up for our clinic by some of Bakersfield’s finest jazz musicians. Look for more details in the near future!
REMINDER!!!!! It’s that time of year again. The BJW has begun accepting applications for student scholarships. Check our Announcements page for more information and application forms. The awards are given to deserving young jazz students for college expenses, camps, and private lessons.
There are three types of scholarships/awards:
- Scholarship – Graduating High School Senior moving on to College/Summer Jazz Camps – Seniors only
- BJW Discretionary Award – Junior Grade Levels/College Students/Educational Purposes (instruction)
- Lary Totten Memorial – For those youth exemplifying passionate pursuit of musical education and professionalism
The application process begins April 1- May 20, 2012. The review/award process will be completed by June 10, 2012.
Be sure to get your applications completed and turned in on time – last year we had a couple of kids who missed out on a great opportunity simply because they didn’t meet the deadline.
Also, one of our Beginning Jazz Improv instructors, Zanne Zarow, just passed along some information that may be of interest to aspiring jazz musicians. The Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops will be held this summer (June & July) at the University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky. For more info and to register, click here: Aebersold Jazz Workshops
In case you hadn’t heard, the Arts Council of Kern granted the BJW $1,250 recently. The money is to be used for our educational clinics and scholarship programs. Read more about it here: Arts Council Award
The response to our new format for the Beginning Jazz Improv class (see below for more info) has been terrific. So much so, that we are seeking volunteers to help us with set-up, assist during the class, and breakdown to help us ensure that the Featured Artist and Jam Session sets get started with minimal delays. If you’re interested, let us know or call Steve Eisen at the number below. Thanks for your help with our mission to promote jazz education and live music in Bakersfield!
The goal of the Beginning Jazz Improv class is to offer and promote a structured sense on improv education within a jazz ensemble (big band) setting. We’ll be teaching the importance of style, technique, and blend from the Masters such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Glen Miller.
This is a great opportunity for music students and musicians to learn, improve, and play jazz in a group setting, before a live audience.
Led by our CEO, Steve Eisen, who has years of experience teaching and leading jazz ensembles, the class is open to all ages. All we ask is that you can meet the basic requirements of being able to play your instrument, with basic fundamental technique and knowledge.
We’re looking for people who can play: Trumpets, Trombones, Alto sax, Tenor sax, Baritone sax, Piano, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Drums
*Note that piano, drums, bass amp, and guitar amp will be furnished. Please bring a music stand if you have one.
For more information, check our website’s home page, our BJW Blog, or call Steve at 661.444.0853.
VIDEOS, VIDEOS, VIDEOS!!!
We’ve posted lots of videos from our benefit concerts, our weekly workshops, and other jazz gigs from around town. If you haven’t seen them yet, you can find many of them at the following link: www.youtube.com/user/maccifj When you get to that page, you’ll find a link to several videos associated with the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop – our weekly events and annual benefit concerts. Additionally, the page has videos of jazz performances elsewhere in Bakersfield. Note that you can also access this page by clicking the YouTube icon on our website’s home page.
We also sometimes have video links from recent workshop appearances and elsewhere posted on our Facebook fan page. Check it out to see what you’re missing!
Just a reminder to you all: The BJW is a non-profit 501c corporation staffed entirely by volunteers. No one who helps run our normal, weekly workshops, including the performers, gets paid. To help us with our expenses, the purchase of equipment, to provide free clinics (& pay those musicians), and scholarships, we depend upon your donations. We sure would appreciate it if you can make a small donation to our tip jar before you leave the workshop. (Your donation may be tax deductible – check with your tax advisor.)
Additionally, you may want to check with your employer to see if they have a Corporate program to support the arts and if they might be interested in becoming a BJW sponsor. For example, many corporations have programs by which they match donations made by its employees.
We have big plans for programs and activities for the workshop, but, we need funding (and people – see below) to get them off the ground! Please help!
VOLUNTEERS
NOTE!!!!!!: We are always looking for new volunteers. If you have the time, energy, and willingness, let us know – we’ll find something for you to do and you can then tell your friends how you get to hang out with all of these cool jazz musicians! We are particularly looking for volunteers who would like to help with our weekly workshop (set-up/break down, front desk, and jam sessions), our website, and our newsletters. In fact, we have an immediate need for someone to help out with the website and newsletters. If you are interested in volunteering, here’s a chance for you! Just check with Frank or Steve, reply using the contact link above, or send an email to us at bakjazzworkshop@lightspeed.net.
Thanks for all of your support!
SOCIAL NETWORKS
You can find us online at the following social networks and websites:
MORE INFO
Want to learn more about the BJW? Watch Steve Eisen, founder/director/CEO of the BJW explain what it’s all about at this link:
Jazz Workshop Promo
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop (or asking your employer to become one)? For more information please visit our BJW Friends and Supporters page or call (661) 444-0853. You can also use the contact link above or send an email to us at bakjazzworkshop@lightspeed.net.
