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My Journal / Jan 2006
IAJE (International Association of Jazz Education) in New York |
So here is 2006 and I already have so many things in store for the year ahead!
I started the first few days relatively slow, just relaxed and taking things easy.
Last month's busy activity almost made me go over my capacity but luckily for me I'm still in one piece. My first gig in January was at JZ Brat with trumpet player Issei Igarashi's group together with Tadataka Unno on piano, Masayuki Tawarayama on bass and Tamaya Honda on drums. It was totally refreshing to play some of my stuff in different styles with an avant garde twist. We had a great time.
The following day I flew to New York to attend the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) from Jan. 11 -14, 2006 for its 33rd Annual Conference. The largest annual gathering of the global jazz community, with over 8,000 educators, musicians, industry executives, exhibitors, media and students from 35 countries was held at the Hilton and Sheraton New York Hotels.
 As this was the first time for me to attend such a large scaled meeting, I was totally mesmerized by the conference agenda, combined with an impressive performance schedule. In addition, the conference featured a 75,000 square-foot industry exposition, commission premieres, technology presentations, research papers, award ceremonies. There was simply so much to do and take for such a short period of time! I spent much time browsing on several books and CDs and bought ones that I could use for my own learning which I also hope to share with my students.
The clinics/sessions provided a whole lineup of topics from education, teacher training and networking created to foster communication between artists and venues; hopefully to spark interest in the creation of workshops for jazz students and fans worldwide. This was where I bumped into so many musician friends and made new ones as well.
Among the musical highlights of the evening concerts was the No Name Horses Jazz Orchestra directed by Makoto Ozone, comprised of first-call, studio jazz musicians based in Japan. Kyoko "Mama", the owner of Body and Soul club came all the way to give them moral support. Joining us also were pianist Takana Miyamoto, now based in Atlanta and trumpet player Tiger Okoshi, now prominent faculty at the Berklee College of Music, together we all cheered for them.
Also featured were the Maria Schneider Orchestra; Oscar Castro-Neves; Monty Alexander Trio, Mingus Big Band and many more. One would have a hard time trying to catch everything with so many to choose from. I tried very hard not to miss out the clinics/performances by Nnenna Freelon, Karin Allyson and Curtis Stigers. They all had something special to offer and I definitely tried to absorb everything I could.
The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Awards concert held during the conference featured performances by The Count Basie Orchestra with special guest Nnenna Freelon and the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra and was hosted by Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis. The fellowship award recipients for 2006 were percussionist Ray Barretto; vocalist extraordinaire Tony Bennett; arranger-composer Bob Brookmeyer; pianist-composer Chick Corea; clarinet virtuoso Buddy DeFranco; trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and veteran talent manager John Levy. I have no words to express how very fortunate I am to have witnessed this great occasion.
The closing night performance was highlighted by the performance of GRAMMY-winning pianist-composer Chick Corea, with Jack DeJohnette and Eddie Gomez, their first time together as a trio. There's no place like New York, a city that has served as the vanguard of jazz for more than 50 years, can an event this size be made possible.
Charito
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