Seasons Greetings! It is hard to believe we are five weeks away from the largest jazz gathering in the world at the 6thAnnual Jazz Education Network Conference in San Diego, January 7-10, 2015 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt!
JAZZ is emphasized with a guaranteed plethora of styles to fit your taste among the 80+ concerts on our five performance stages, featuring the top school ensembles from around the globe, mixed with world-renowned jazz artists and future rising stars. Be sure to check out the report on the Jazz Artists Initiative on Saturday morning detailing outcomes from a unique study focused on jazz performance.
EDUCATION is at the forefront of the 75+ clinic, panel discussion and workshop offerings in the seven clinic rooms. You could choose to participate in meetings of the minds by attending various JEN committee gatherings, where you have the ability to share your creative ideas, assisting the organization in: governance; developing curriculum, membership or research; industry relations; or how to become a mentor or mentee. Further, experience first-hand mentoring on the three JENerations Jazz Festival venues. This is your chance to watch the pros work with our young students and observe jazz education at the grass roots level. The research track brings to you current findings presented in 30+ presentations and 15 poster sessions. Be among the first to secure one of the Trad Jazz Project’s historical discs which will lead you to the historical data hosted and sponsored by JEN on the website!
NETWORK while at the conference! Don’t miss this opportunity!! Where else can you potentially meet that next person that may change your life forever?! It may be an agent, an instrument manufacturer, a publisher, a distant colleague, a long lost friend, a new friend, or even your future life partner. Where else might you volunteer to work behind the scenes and have a chance to interplay with the great artists and talent performing at the conference? BTW…You can hear Herbie Hancock as this year’s keynote speaker at 2 pm in the JENeral Session on Thursday, January 8th.
And be sure to come network with the stars at the annual education fundraiser, the JENerosity Celebration, taking place Friday, January 9th from 5-7:30 p.m., honoring LeJENds of Jazz Education Bobby Shew and Herbie Hancock, LeJENd of Latin Jazz Poncho Sanchez, and African American Jazz Caucus Griot Award Recipient Rep. John Conyers, long time jazz advocate on Capitol hill. Experience this evening with other JENbassadors in attendance including Steve Bailey, Bob Mintzer, Mundell Lowe, John Clayton, David Baker, Jamey Aebersold, Dan Haerle, Lynne Arriale, Jeff Coffin, Holly Hofmann, the JEN Board and many others. You can reserve tickets online now to experience the true spirit of giving! If you are already registered for the conference tickets are $88 online in advance, and includes dinner, entertainment, awards ceremony, and a cash bar.
In closing, I am a firm believer of contributing to one’s own destiny, often determined by those you surround yourself with. Whether you are a student of the music, a performer, a teacher, an industry representative, an entertainment lawyer, an enthusiast, we all need each other to survive. Together we are strong!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead
Dr. Lou Fischer
JEN Co-Founder/Conference Coordinator