Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Festival
Hosts America’s Top Young Jazz Musicians,
March 30 – April 1, 2012 in Downtown Monterey
65 Groups from 3 Countries, 12 States and 14
California Counties are Participants
March 6, 2012; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival, a nonprofit leader in jazz education since 1958, is proud to announce its annual Next Generation Jazz Festival, March 30 – April 1, 2012 at the Monterey Conference Center. The weekend-long event, devoted to the future of jazz, includes the Next Generation Jazz Festival Jazz Competition with Big Bands, Combos, Vocal Ensembles, and individual musicians vying for a spot on the stages of the 55th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival. The event will be open to the public, free of charge.
With over 1200 students participating in the Next Generation Jazz Festival, Monterey Peninsula residents can enjoy the largest gathering of young jazz talent in the region, outside of the Monterey Jazz Festival itself. 65 groups from 12 states, Australia, and Japan will participate in the 2012 event, which includes the Festival’s 42nd Annual High School Jazz Competition. Click here for a full list of participating groups.
Introduced in 1971 as the California High School Jazz Band Competition by Monterey Jazz Festival Founder Jimmy Lyons, the competition was conceived as a way to bring talented student groups to Monterey, and to cultivate musicians for the future. Notable participants of the Jazz Competition and Next Generation Jazz Orchestra members (formally the California High School All-Star Band) include saxophonists Joshua Redman, Dave Koz and Dave Ellis; pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen; multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum; bassist Larry Grenadier, and many more. 2012 Next Generation Jazz Festival judges, saxophonist Mary Fettig and trumpeters Gilbert Castellanos and Ambrose Akinmusire are also alumni of the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.
California is represented by 47 ensembles from 14 counties–including Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. In addition, special guest groups include student ensembles from Japan and Australia, as well as groups from Oregon, Massachusetts and Michigan.
“Once again, the level of jazz playing flourishes throughout every performing division at the Next Generation Jazz Festival for 2012,” said Paul Contos, Education Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival. “We’re extremely pleased to be able to present this unique free educational experience that highlights the hard work these groups have been doing in preparation for this event. For students and directors from throughout the U.S. and international locations to be able to share this music with each other exhibits the true joy and collaborative spirit of jazz.”
The Next Generation Jazz Festival officially starts with the annual Opening Night Concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 30, at the Monterey Conference Center. The opening night’s activities will feature the Festival’s annual Salute to Jazz Education, along with performances from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Sextet and the internationally-renowned artists and competition judges, including pianist Shelly Berg, drummer Jeff Hamilton, saxophonists Joel Frahm, Mary Fettig, and Aaron Lington; guitarist Corey Christiansen; trombonist Wayne Wallace; trumpeters Ambrose Akinmusire and Gilbert Castellanos; bassist Ray Drummond, and vocalist Nnenna Freelon.
There is also the opportunity to purchase optional VIP Gold Circle tickets for the Opening Night Concert, on Friday, March 30, for $50. VIP tickets assures seating in the front rows as well as an invitation to the post-concert “meet and greet” wine and cheese reception with the judges and Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residence, Ambrose Akinmusire.
The Festival will conduct clinics, workshops, jam sessions, and auditions in the heart of historic Monterey, with music to be performed at the Monterey Conference Center, the host Portola Hotel, the Red Snapper Restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Museum of Monterey. The Next Generation Jazz Festival is also continuing its College Expo, allowing students an opportunity to visit with several colleges offering jazz and other music programs.
All Next Generation Jazz Festival competition events–from the exuberant and electric Big Band, Vocal Ensemble and Combo Competition on Saturday, March 31 and the College Big Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble Competition on Sunday, April 1–are open to the public, free of charge.
For a complete schedule of activities and competition times, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org/2012/NGJF.
The Next Generation Jazz Festival Jazz Competition begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 31 in the Monterey Conference Center. Throughout the day, the high school groups will perform, with several educational clinics featuring the 2012 Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residence, Ambrose Akinmusire, and vocalist Nnenna Freelon.
The top Vocal, Combo, and Big Band divisions will be announced at 6:15 p.m. Saturday evening from the Serra Ballroom stage. At 8:30 p.m., the top finalists will perform a Showcase Concert–a preview of the groups performing at the 55th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival. The final rankings will be announced at the end of the evening.
The Next Generation Jazz Festival continues through Sunday, April 1 with Middle School, College, Conglomerate Big Band, Open Combo, and College Vocal Ensemble Divisions performing in the Serra Ballroom and Steinbeck Forum. The top college big band, college vocal ensemble, and conglomerate big band (to be announced during the day) will also earn a performance slot at the 55th Monterey Jazz Festival. Auditions will also be held for the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the Monterey Jazz Festival’s national all-star high school band.
Major funding of the Next Generation Jazz Festival and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra performance tour comes from a three-year grant awarded by the Surdna Foundation. Surdna’s mission is to foster sustainable communities in the United States—communities guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, strong local economies, and thriving cultures.
Next Generation Jazz Festival partners and supporters include longtime Monterey Jazz Festival partner Yamaha, providing instruments for Next Generation Jazz Festival stages. Additional support is provided by generous individuals and organizations such as AT&T Foundation, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, the Joseph Drown Foundation, the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, Evans Drumheads, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, Planet Waves Accessories, and Rico Reeds.
More information on all Next Generation Jazz Festival activities and events is available on the Monterey Jazz Festival Web site, www.montereyjazzfestival.org/2012/NGJF and by phone at 831.373.3366.
2012 NEXT GENERATION JAZZ FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS |
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2012 HIGH SCHOOL BIG BAND DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| Agoura High School | Agoura Hills | CA | Chad Bloom |
| Berkeley High School | Berkeley | CA | Sarah Cline |
| Buchanan High School | Clovis | CA | Paul Lucckesi |
| Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy | Camden | NJ | Jamal Dickerson |
| Folsom High School Jazz Band I | Folsom | CA | Curtis Gaesser |
| Las Vegas Academy | Las Vegas | NV | Patrick Bowen |
| Lone Peak High School | Highland | UT | Curtis McKendrick |
| Los Alamitos High School Jazz Band I | Los Alamitos | CA | John Rush |
| Los Angeles County High School for the Arts |
Los Angeles | CA | Jason Goldman |
| Marin School of the Arts Big Band | Novato | CA | Mark Peabody |
| Northgate High School Big Band | Walnut Creek | CA | Greg Brown |
| Rio Americano High School “AM” | Sacramento | CA | Josh Murray |
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2012 HIGH SCHOOL COMBO DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| ArtsWest High School | Eagle | ID | Clark Sommers |
| Berkeley High School Combo A | Berkeley | CA | Sarah Cline |
| Berkeley High School Combo B | Berkeley | CA | Sarah Cline |
| Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts |
Dallas | TX | Bart Marantz |
| Los Angeles County High School for the Arts |
Los Angeles | CA | Jason Goldman |
| Northgate High School Combo | Walnut Creek | CA | Greg Brown |
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2012 HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL ENSEMBLE DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| ArtsWest High School | Eagle | ID | Jeff Baker |
| Downey High School | Downey | CA | Cory Olariu |
| Folsom High School Jazz Choir 1 | Folsom | CA | Curtis Gaesser |
| Folsom High School Jazz Choir 2 | Folsom | CA | Fred Webber |
| Los Angeles County High School for the Arts |
Los Angeles | CA | Pat Bass |
| Marin School of the Arts Vocal Ensemble | Novato | CA | Janet Matranga |
| Natomas Charter School Vocal Ensemble A | Sacramento | CA | Jacosa Limutau |
| Valencia High School Two N’ Four | Valencia | CA | Christine Tavares |
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2012 CONGLOMERATE BIG BAND DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| American Music Program Pacific Crest Jazz Orchestra |
Portland | OR | Thara Memory |
| Jazzschool Monday Night Studio Band | Berkeley | CA | Keith Johnson |
| Jazzschool Thursday Night Studio Band | Berkeley | CA | Keith Johnson |
| Roll Hill Arts Academy Jazz Band | El Dorado Hills | CA | Curtis Gaesser |
| SFJAZZ High School All-Star Jazz Orchestra | San Francisco | CA | Claire Phillips |
| Tucson Jazz Institute “Ellington” Band | Tucson | AZ | Doug Tidaback |
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2012 COLLEGE BIG BAND DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| Azusa Pacific University Jazz Ensemble | Azusa | CA | David Beatty |
| California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Pomona | CA | Dr. Dave Kopplin |
| California State University, Northridge | Northridge | CA | John Daversa |
| Sacramento State University | Sacramento | CA | Steve Roach |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara | CA | Jim Mooy |
| University of California, Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra |
Los Angeles | CA | Charley Harrison |
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2012 COLLEGE VOCAL ENSEMBLE DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| American River College | Sacramento | CA | Dr. Arthur Lapierre |
| College of the Canyons “Just Jazz” | Valencia | CA | Julie Lawson |
| Fullerton College | Fullerton | CA | Jamie Shew |
| Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut | CA | Bruce Rogers |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham | NC | Lenora Helm |
| West Valley College | Saratoga | CA | Michelle Hawkins |
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2012 OPEN COMBO DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| Center of Life Jazz Band | Pittsburgh | PA | Peter Chace |
| Colburn Jazz Workshop Monday Night Band | Los Angeles | CA | Lee Secard |
| Pure Bliss | Boston | MA | Christian Lyman |
| SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Combo | San Francisco | CA | Claire Phillips |
| Song Yi Jeon Quintet | Boston | MA | Song Yi Jeon |
| Tucson Jazz Institute Blue Note Combo | Tucson | AZ | Brice Winston |
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2012 MIDDLE SCHOOL BIG BAND DIVISION FINALISTS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| Folsom Middle School | Folsom | CA | John Zimny |
| Foothill Middle School | Walnut Creek | CA | Kirk Wetterholm |
| Hale Charter Academy | Woodland Hills | CA | Dan Taguchi |
| Oak Middle School | Los Alamitos | CA | Justin Padilla |
| Stanley Middle School | Lafayette | CA | Bob Athayde |
| Sutter Middle School | Folsom | CA | John Zimny |
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2012 SPECIAL GUEST GROUPS |
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| City | State | Director | |
| Berklee Global Jazz Institute Sextet | Boston | MA | Marco Pignataro |
| Cabra Dominican College Vocal Jazz Ensemble | Cumberland Park | Australia | Saz Burton |
| Heatwave Jazz and Show Band | La Quinta | CA | Jim Little |
| Ishikawa Junior Jazz Academy | Nanao | Japan | Junko Moriya |
| Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band | Santa Cruz | CA | Steve Wilson |
| Metropolitan Youth Orchestra | Portland | OR | Derek Sims |
| Sacramento State University Jazz Singers | Sacramento | CA | Kerry Marsh |
| San Benancio Middle School | Salinas | CA | Adam Petrocelli |
| Western Michigan University Advanced Jazz Combo |
Kalamazoo | MI | Scott Cowan |