Vermont Jazz Center’s 40th Summer Jazz Workshop to take place at the Putney School week of August 9 – 15
1. Educational Program: August 9th to August 15th
Putney School, Putney, VT
2. Faculty Concert: Thursday, August 13th at 8:00 PM
Michaels S. Currier Center, Putney School
3. Student Concert: Friday, August 14th
Michaels S. Currier Center, Putney School
Set I at 3:30PM
Set II at 8:00 PM
The Vermont Jazz Center is preparing for its 40th iteration of the summer jazz workshop. The week-long program takes place on the beautiful campus of the Putney School in Putney, Vermont. This workshop encourages intermediate to professional level students from down the street and around the world; while in Vermont they polish their improvisational and musicianship skills while enjoying a hiatus in a beautiful, bucolic setting. The workshop began in 1974 when famed Hungarian guitarist, Attila Zoller formed the Attila Zoller Guitar Clinics. These informal programs were fundamental in the development of young musicians like Peter Bernstein and Helmut Kagerer andmany others who would come to Zoller’s rustic home in Newfane and study with him and other masters. The program attained non-profit status in 1987 when Zoller took on a board of directors, registered with the state and conscripted friends like Joy Wallins, Howard Brofsky and Gene Rush to help with the curriculum and organization. To this day, the VJC honors Zoller’s immense spirit and attention to quality.
Over the years, the Summer Workshop has grown in numerous ways, most notably through increased numbers of students and staff, but also by developing a vocal program under the caring guidance of Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton (this year, we welcome Karrin Allyson in Ms. Jordan’s stead). Because the workshop has taken place now for 17 years at the Putney School, a sense of rhythm has been achieved through repetition. The community simultaneously grows outward while getting deeper: returning students visit each summer and nourish friendships, develop their musical skills and live their dreams. Both students and faculty consider this week in the country the highlight of their year. There exists a natural, inter-generational balance where participants of all ages learn from each other, gleaning from both the wisdom of jazz’s “old school” and the pedagogical advancements put forth in today’s developed system of jazz education.
The Vermont Jazz Center’s Summer Workshop emphasizes the importance of improvisation and small-group dynamics, encouraging participants to find their own voices using the jazz language. The courses offered include jazz theory, master classes in each instrument, focused listening and faculty led ensembles. The atmosphere is friendly and productive; participants and teachers alike form bonds that last a lifetime. The Summer Workshop stands as the pinnacle of the VJC’s educational year thanks to a phenomenal world-class faculty – teachers who are brilliant players but still have a vested interest in the unique journey brought to the program by each student. Eugene Uman is Artistic Director and Ginger Morawski is the Summer Workshop Administrator. There are dozens of community volunteers who contribute to its smooth operation.
This year’s program will feature approximately 45 instrumental and 16 vocal students under the tutelage of over a dozen highly regarded musician/teachers. They’ll meet and enjoy the excellent musical facilities at the Putney School; they will unite into instrumental and vocal ensembles and each day partake in master classes, formal performance groups, and classes in jazz composition and theory. In the evenings, evoking the Zoller spirit, students and faculty will jam until the wee hours of the morning. The students will offer a performance on the final evening of the workshop; the Faculty will deliver their own on Thursday evening. Both concerts will take place at the Michael S. Currier Center at the Putney School.
The best indication of a program’s success is the ardent support and return of its alumni. Joe Abraham who has attended the workshop for several years running sums up his experience:
The VJC summer workshop rejuvenates and re-energizes my jazz soul every year. New and old friends gather for a shared experience that enhances the music learning experience in the “jazz love bubble”. The faculty provides a stimulating framework and professional perspective that seems to work well for all of the participants, regardless of background. The setting and the food promote a sense of wellness and relaxation, although the week is jazz at full intensity!
Please join us in celebrating jazz and enjoy the VJC’s summer workshop concerts held at the Putney School’s Michael S. Currier Center. On Thursday evening, August 13th the Vermont Jazz Center Faculty Concert will present vocalists Karrin Allyson and Jay Clayton, Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Jeff Galindo (trombone), Scott Mullett (saxophone), Harvey Diamond, Ray Gallon and Eugene Uman (piano), Marcus McLaurine, George Kaye, Dave Picchi and Cameron Brown (bass), Franciso Mela, Brian Adler and Claire Arenius, (drums) and Julian Gerstin, percussion. The ticket price for the faculty concert is $20, $15 for students. Local music students pay $7.50.
On Friday evening, August 14th, the VJC Summer Workshop Student Concert will showcase faculty-coached student ensembles with numerous vocalists and several piano trios. This concert will be divided into two sections, the first will start at 3:30 PM and the second show will resume after a dinner break at 8:00 PM. Singers will be accompanied by a professional jazz trio and the piano trios will be assisted and perform with a faculty bassist. Also performing will be five faculty-coached ensembles, usually comprised of two or three horns, piano, bass and drums. For the student concert, a $5.00 donation is suggested. All concerts will take place at Putney School’s Michael S. Currier Center and is accessible to all.
The VJC’s Summer Jazz Workshop is sponsored by William and Laurie Schutt with further assistance from Vermont Public Radio and the Vermont Arts Council.
For information regarding this workshop and related concerts, please visit the VJC’s website at www.vtjazz.org , or call 802 254 9088.
For more information on VJC programs please contact Ginger Morawski at 802 254 9088 to receive a brochure, or visit the VJC website at www.vtjazz.org. For specific questions regarding curriculum and content, email Eugene Uman directly at eugene@vtjazz.org.
