The JAS Academy is one of the nation’s only full-scholarship summer residencies, made possible by the generosity of philanthropists Sasha and Ed Bass who pledged to underwrite the operating budget of the JAS Academy for the first five (5) years of the partnership with Frost. It is their generous donation that allowed JAS and the Frost School of Music to expand the previous 7-day residency to two weeks in 2019-2020 and now four weeks in 2021.
Four bands have been selected for the Combo/Small Ensemble Session taking place in Snowmass July 11–25. The groups include 21 students representing Frost School of Music, Michigan State University, New York University and Ben Gurion University (Israel).
“JAS is thrilled to host a newly expanded JAS Academy with a second week Combo/Small Ensemble Session, scheduled prior to the well-established “Big Band Session” continuing in its 3rd full season in 2021,” said JAS President/CEO Jim Horowitiz. “For the new session, we have invited emerging young artists in groups that have already established a unique repertoire and music profile. They will focus on everything from refinement of performances to business, marketing and career development, utilizing the unique and diverse curriculum approach of the Frost School of Music under the leadership of Dean Shelly Berg & Chuck Bergeron.”
In commenting Dean Shelly Berg stated: “In its three-year history the JAS Academy in collaboration with the Frost School of Music has expanded from one week to four. This is true testament to the caliber of the program which provides an extraordinary opportunity for talented young musicians of the highest caliber to study and perform with our world-renowned faculty and the Academy’s artistic director 7-time Grammy award winner Christian McBride, One of our goals is to provide year-round opportunities for young aspiring musicians to explore their potential and acquire the skills needed to become professional at their craft. Our collaboration with Jazz Aspen, now entering its 30th season, has created a world class opportunity to accomplish this.”
An additional 23 students were accepted into the Individual/Big Band Sessions taking place in Aspen July 25-Aug. 8. These students represent 10 Schools/Universities including Frost School of Music, Berklee College of Music, Eastman School of Music, Julliard School, Manhattan School of Music, New School Jazz Program, Temple University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of North Texas, and the University of Washington.
In addition to working with McBride, Berg, and Bergeron, students will also have an opportunity to
work with and learn from Frost faculty including Rey Sanchez-Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation/Professor of Music Business and Entertainment Industries, Etienne Charles-Associate Professor Studio Music and Jazz and Brian Lynch-Professor Jazz Trumpet/Studio Music and Jazz. Students will study an exciting curriculum that focuses on both performance and recording. Participants will develop a musical product, from selecting artistic direction and crafting original compositions, to performing, recording, marketing and distribution of a finished work. In addition to daily coaching and mentorship from leading artists and educators, workshops and master classes in Recording Techniques, Entrepreneurship, and the evolving Music Industry will take place in both onsite and virtual learning environments.
The Academy will offer students the opportunity to attend master classes with some of the world’s most talented jazz musicians including vocalist Rene Marie, guitarist Dan Wilson, vocalist Kurt Elling and one of the hottest newcomers on the jazz scene today Frost alum pianist Emmet Cohen (B.M. ‘12). Each of these artists will be performing public shows at the JAS Café during their visit.
Student performances will be taking place over the four weeks at a variety of venues, including a special Big Band performance on Saturday, Aug. 7 at Harris Hall. Details on all performances, as well as the students attending this year, please visit jazzaspensnowmass.org/academy.
