Jazz Studies Professor Receives Mellon Foundation Fellowship</h1> <article> <h1>Jazz Studies Professor Receives Mellon Foundation Fellowship</h1> <p>siler — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:46:32 +0000</p> <span>Jazz Studies Professor Receives Mellon Foundation Fellowship</span> <span><span>siler</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-06T10:46:32-05:00" title="Thursday, March 6, 2025 - 10:46">Thu, 03/06/2025 - 10:46</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ�� Conservatory Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and world-renowned drummer <a href="/billy-hart">Billy Hart</a> has been named a Mellon Foundation <a href="https://www.mellon.org/news/mellon-launches-35-million-jazz-initiative">2025 Jazz Legacies Fellow</a>. He is a member of the Foundation's first group of jazz artists recognized for their contributions to the music genre. Considered to be one of the most sought-after drummers of his generation, Hart was recognized by the Foundation as a "hero of jazz rhythm and an esteemed mentor."</p> <p>Each fellow will be honored with a lifetime achievement award and receive an unrestricted grant of $100,000. With this new funding initiative, the Foundation is focusing on an effort that supports the cultural preservation of jazz—championing the legacy of artists who have played a pivotal role in its formation and the strengthening of the broader jazz ecosystem.</p> <p>In a recent New York Times profile, collaborators and partners speak to Hart’s commitment to growing as a student of jazz, even after a career that spans more than 60 years. He has performed with jazz icons including Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter, and McCoy Tyner.</p> <p>In 2022 Hart was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master for his lifetime of contributions to jazz. To date, he has recorded 12 albums in his own name and performed as a sideman on more than 600 recordings. And his work continues as he just released a new album, Just, with his long-running quartet.</p> <p>Read more about this 91ֱ�� jazz icon, profiled in a recent New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/arts/music/billy-hart-jazz-drummer-just.html">feature</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-03-06T12:00:00Z">Thu, 03/06/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Susan Iler</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/billy-hart" hreflang="und">Billy Hart</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Desmond White</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Jazz Vocalist Dani Assis ’23 Wins Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition</h1> <p>cstrauss — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:54:53 +0000</p> <span>Jazz Vocalist Dani Assis ’23 Wins Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-06-04T15:54:53-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - 15:54">Tue, 06/04/2024 - 15:54</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ�� Conservatory jazz vocal alumnus <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/3B8lUmu8J1pnoewYnqdjZ0">Dani Assis</a> ’23 is the winner of the prestigious <a href="https://www.ellafitzgeraldcompetition.org/">Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition</a>, hosted by the Blues Alley Jazz Society—Washington, D. C.’s stellar jazz club, and the second oldest jazz club in the country. The competition was founded in partnership with the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. </p> <p>A rising star, Assis emerged from an international pool of talent in this year’s competition with vocalists from China, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Mexico, and across the United States. The theme for this year's competition was "Ella Loves Cole,” so the singers performed Cole Porter songs. In the last round of competition, Assis sang three Porter tunes: "Easy to Love," "What Is This Thing Called Love," and "It's De-Lovely." </p> <p>As reported in the announcement in <a href="https://www.allaboutjazz.com/introducing-vocalist-dani-assis">AllAboutJazz.com</a>, the competition jury was impressed by Assis for "the beautiful quality of his singing voice, his extensive range, and his exemplary improvisation skills.” He has since been making the rounds and has had interviews with major jazz publications, including an appearance on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XaHLD2UtTH53VXPtbLsle">JAZZIZ Podcast</a>.</p> <p>Last August, Assis released a single, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3aKpy_8aY">"My Own Embrace,"</a> a contrafact of Miles Davis' "Blue in Green." Assis' first full album, entitled DaniEL, will be released later this August. </p> <p>Since graduating from 91ֱ�� in 2023, Assis has been performing with a number of artists, including former classmates from 91ֱ��. In May, Assis performed at Dizzy's Club (with his father Nanny Assis, Ron Carter, Tolga Bilgin, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, pianist Helio Alves, guitarist Chico Pinheiro, and drummer Edu Ribeiro) and at Arthur's Tavern in Greenwich Village (with pianist Hyuna Park, bassist Michael O'Brien, and his 91ֱ�� classmate and drummer Noah Sherman ’23). </p> <p>Hear the performance of Assis' winning number at the Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4tRWNFxHzQ">"Easy to Love,"</a> by Cole Porter.<br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Assis emerged from an international pool in seventh annual edition of the competition</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-06-04T12:00:00Z">Tue, 06/04/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2974">Conservatory Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/la-tanya-hall" hreflang="und">La Tanya Hall</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Dani Assis</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Conservatory Celebrates Standout Students for 2024</h1> <p>eburnett — Mon, 13 May 2024 20:02:44 +0000</p> <span>Conservatory Celebrates Standout Students for 2024</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-13T16:02:44-04:00" title="Monday, May 13, 2024 - 16:02">Mon, 05/13/2024 - 16:02</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Each spring, 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s faculty and administration celebrate students whose academic and artistic work is especially meritorious. They are selected by committees and competition juries for exemplary musicianship and academic and personal achievement. Awards generated by numerous endowed funds are dedicated to acknowledging these musicians’ demonstrated excellence, supporting their ongoing study and creative projects, and even assisting with instrument purchases.</p> <p>This year’s honorees were celebrated at a May 13 reception in Stull Recital Hall (<a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBqtKj">see photos</a> of the event on Flickr). They are listed below in alphabetical order by last name:</p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano: Finalist</strong><br> Awarded to piano majors by the piano faculty for excellence in performing works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Nio L. Ajero</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Louis and Annette Kaufman Music Achievement Award in Violin</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding student of violin<br> <em><strong>Max W. Ball</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Theodore Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding returning student for excellence in musicianship<br> <em><strong>Max W. Ball</strong></em></p> <p><strong>James H. Hall Prize in Musicology</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in work in musicology<br> <em><strong>Eliza R. Balmuth</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Delores and Donald White Prize</strong><br> Awarded to conservatory students who demonstrate leadership in elevating 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals through music performance<br> <em><strong>Joshua A. Barron</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Walter E. Aschaffenburg Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding music composition<br> <em><strong>Jake L. Berran</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Flint Initiative Grant</strong><br> Awarded to innovative, motivated, and prepared conservatory and double-degree students to develop imaginative artistic projects<br> <em><strong>Holly Bogle </strong></em></p> <p><strong>Faustina Hurlbutt Prize</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding graduating student in cello, piano, violin, or voice<br> <strong><em>JJ Jun Li Bui</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano: Finalist</strong><br> Awarded to piano majors by the piano faculty for excellence in performing works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>James Chen</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Arthur Dann Senior Piano Competition</strong><br> Awarded to the winner of this juried competition for excellence in piano performance<br> <em><strong>Yihang Chen</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Drew Dansby</strong></em>, cello</p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Juan Pedro Espinosa Monteros</strong></em>, clarinet</p> <p><strong>Margot Bos Stambler ’84 Professional Development Award</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding voice major of great promise<br> <em><strong>Elizabeth N. Hanje</strong></em></p> <p><strong>James H. Hall Prize in Musicology</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in work in musicology<br> <em><strong>Sam C. Hart</strong></em></p> <p><strong>TIMARA Founders Fund John Clough Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a TIMARA major for distinctive work within the department<br> <em><strong>Ben P. Hochster</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Carol Nott Piano Pedagogy Prize</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding graduating senior for continued study in piano pedagogy<br> <em><strong>Soyoung Jeong</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Delores and Donald White Prize</strong><br> Awarded to conservatory students who demonstrate leadership in elevating 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals through music performance<br> <em><strong>Daniela Jimenez Ochoa</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Maya Irizarry Lambright</strong></em>, violin</p> <p><strong>John Elvin Piano Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the student judged by the piano department to be the most talented in the junior class<br> <em><strong>Yu-Wei Lee</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano Third Place: Howard Karp ’51 Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the third-place finisher of this juried competition for excellence in performance of works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Leo Lu</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano First Place: Peter Takács Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the winner of this juried competition for excellence in performance of works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Iskandar O. Mamadaliev</strong></em></p> <p><strong>TIMARA Founders Fund Olly Wilson Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a TIMARA major for distinctive work within the department<br> <em><strong>Maya T. McCollum</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Watson Fellowship</strong><br> Awarded by the Thomas J. Watson Foundation to graduating seniors for purposeful, independent exploration outside the United States<br> <strong><em>Maya T. McCollum</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Agnes Fowler Collegiate Scholarship</strong><br> Awarded to a junior majoring in music and strong in instrumental or vocal performance<br> <em><strong>Ian N. McEdwards</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Ruth Cogan Memorial Scholarship in Vocal Performance</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding voice major who has dedicated significant time to the Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center<br> <em><strong>Isabel Merat</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Pi Kappa Lambda Prize for Musicianship</strong><br> Awarded to students judged to be the most outstanding of those elected to Pi Kappa Lambda<br> <em><strong>Immanuel B. Mykyta-Chomsky</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Piano Faculty Prize in Accompanying</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in accompanying singers and instrumentalists<br> <em><strong>Immanuel B. Mykyta-Chomsky</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Ernest Hatch Wilkins Memorial Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a returning student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the three preceding years<br> <em><strong>Khai Nien K. Nguyen</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Flint Initiative Grant </strong><br> Awarded to innovative, motivated, and prepared conservatory and double-degree students to develop imaginative artistic projects<br> <em><strong>Sangeetha Ramanuj</strong></em></p> <p><strong>David S. Boe-C. B. Fisk Prize for Excellence in Organ Performance</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding organ student<br> <em><strong>William F. Rehwinkel</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Earl L. Russell Award in Historical Performance</strong><br> Awarded to a student majoring in Historical Performance to assist with the purchase of a musical instrument<br> <em><strong>William F. Rehwinkel</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Margot Bos Stambler ’84 Professional Development Award</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding voice major of great promise<br> <em><strong>Alan F. Rendzak</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Pi Kappa Lambda Prize for Musicianship</strong><br> Awarded to students judged to be the most outstanding of those elected to Pi Kappa Lambda<br> <em><strong>Alan F. Rendzak</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Wendell and Bettye Logan Prize in Jazz Studies</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in performance or composition<br> <em><strong>Coleman Rose</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Selby Harlan Houston Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior whose performance in organ and music theory is of distinguished quality<br> <em><strong>Mark U. Slatter</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Rudolph Serkin Scholarship</strong><br> Awarded to a student demonstrating excellence in piano performance<br> <em><strong>Chau Minh Tran</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Flint Initiative Grant </strong><br> Awarded to innovative, motivated, and prepared conservatory and double-degree students to develop imaginative artistic projects<br> <em><strong>Sebastien Tsai</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Louis and Marguerite Bloomberg Greenwood Prize in Voice</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating student excelling in cello, piano, violin, or voice<br> <em><strong>Jordan L. Twadell</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Jiongli Wang</strong></em>, piano</p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano Second Place: Leon Fleisher Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the second-place finisher of this juried competition for excellence in performance of works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Fiona Wu</strong></em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Annual reception held May 13 in Stull Recital Hall.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-05-13T12:00:00Z">Mon, 05/13/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=39981">Piano and Vocal Accompanying</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=42726">Piano Pedagogy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=35116">Violin</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=35596">Voice</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=33331">Composition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=33031">TIMARA</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=32966">Organ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=35261">Cello</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/vocal-studies" hreflang="und">Vocal Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/strings" hreflang="und">Strings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/musicology" hreflang="und">Musicology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/music-theory" hreflang="und">Music Theory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/historical-performance" hreflang="und">Historical Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/winds-brass-and-percussion" hreflang="und">Winds, Brass, and Percussion</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Elizabeth Hanje (middle), a fourth-year soprano from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, won the Margot Bos Stambler ’84 Professional Development Award. She is pictured with Dean of the Conservatory Bill Quillen and Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs Leah Brockman.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yevhen Gulenko</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Artemis Visits 91ֱ��, Leads Master Classes and Panels</h1> <p>cstrauss — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 02:48:32 +0000</p> <span>Artemis Visits 91ֱ��, Leads Master Classes and Panels</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-03-21T22:48:32-04:00" title="Thursday, March 21, 2024 - 22:48">Thu, 03/21/2024 - 22:48</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>All-star jazz collective <a href="https://artemisband.com/">Artemis</a> served a two-day residency at 91ֱ�� from March 12-13, adjacent to their appearance on the <a href="http://oberlin.edu/ars">2023-24 Artist Recital Series</a>. The band—consisting of musical director and pianist Renee Rosnes, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller—was presented in a variety of educational and interactive events, well attended by 91ֱ�� students and community members, all leading up to their culminating performance in Finney Chapel.</p> <p>Kicking off their residency, the quintet’s first session with students was held at the intimate Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse—an anchor performing and teaching space for 91ֱ��’s <a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies">Jazz Division</a>. The band opened with innovative and complex renditions of Herbie Hancock’s “Dolphin Dance” and Wayne Shorter’s “United,” both arranged by Rosnes. Following the brief set, band members gave introductions before delving into a Q&A session, facilitated by the 91ֱ�� Crimson Collective. The discussion was intimate and casual, addressing a range of relevant topics from maintaining trust on the bandstand to practicing self-care on the road and balancing activism with artistry.</p> <p>The Crimson Collective’s opening question about conditions for feeling comfortable in professional environments eventually led Artemis into a thorough discussion about the importance of self-acceptance, musical risk-taking, and having your bandmates’ backs on and off the bandstand. </p> <p>“You know, there’s a real deep amount of work, and then the balance of enjoying being in this space with one another… it’s just trust,” said Jensen, who also led attendees through the breathing and stretching exercises she uses when practicing her instrument and decompressing while on tour. </p> <p>The trust, love, and camaraderie among members of Artemis are palpable. And, they care deeply for the tradition and the causes which their music represents. “For me, I always try to marry my activism with my music,” Miller said, “and this is one version of doing that—this group.”</p> <p></p> <p>Artemis continued their afternoon at the Cat in the Cream with an ensemble master class. Student-formed jazz groups performed and received feedback from the band members, all of whom are accomplished educators in addition to esteemed performers. Artemis's feedback touched on holistically learning jazz standards,</p> <p></p> <p>maintaining compelling stage presence, accompanying soloists symbiotically, and methods for improvising captivating solos.</p> <p>As the saxophonist for the second of the two student groups, I can say firsthand how exciting and valuable an experience this was. After our group opened with Miles Davis’s “Little Willie</p> <p></p> <p>Leaps,” members of Artemis divided up and focused on their general areas of expertise. Their first priority was centered on facilitating interaction between drums and piano while accompanying soloists. Rosnes isolated our rhythm section and asked them to play several more choruses of the tune while focusing on catching each other's rhythmic interjections. Artemis’s frontline—Jensen and Glover—then shifted to our own frontline of saxophone and vocals. They provided valuable ideas for structuring a compelling solo, emphasizing melodic playing over lengthy and complex improvisation. Rosnes then set us loose to experiment with this feedback and give another complete performance of the piece. For me, this second run-through felt more deliberate, digestible, and engaging—both with my bandmates and the audience.</p> <p>The next day, Artemis gave a career talk entitled, “What does it take to have a career in jazz?” Opening up the panel, Rosnes stressed the onus on students to utilize their undergraduate years by committing themselves to music, surrounding themselves with it, and studying it as thoroughly as possible. “I don’t think the goal should be to be a star in the music,” she claimed, “The goal should be that you become the best musician that you can be, and that you rise to your personal highest potential. The rest of that, in terms of your career, will take care of itself.” </p> <p>Rosnes then prompted Glover to describe her takeaways from moving to New York City from Portland. “There’s a presence that makes people aware of you,” she said, “and there’s a presence that makes people remember you.” Glover went on to further describe the equal importances of putting yourself out there and maintaining a positive reputation. “It’s one thing to get a call, it’s another thing to get the second call.” </p> <p>This segued perfectly into Miller’s story of meeting and joining the band of famed jazz organist Dr. Lonnie Smith. She also recounted experiences with her own queerness in the jazz world: “I had two worlds of New York City: I had my queer life and my jazz life, and I was afraid to let those be the same.” She later acknowledged that “the bubble of improvisational music is becoming way more open-minded socially,” a long way from her Southern upbringing in Texas. </p> <p>Hailing from Japan, however, Ueda described her journey from growing up playing pop music to discovering jazz while watching the anime Lupin the Third. “It was a jazz version with vibraphone and walking bass,” she said, describing the movie, “and when I heard it, I was shocked by how cool the bassline was. I was interested and started listening to jazz.”</p> <p>Jensen discussed what it was like growing up in a musical household, surrounded by the music of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, and more. Jensen remembers thinking to herself as a child, “Well, things aren’t going well in math or science or anything else, but this music thing, it just keeps coming back to me.” This love took her all over the world, from Boston to Copenhagen, and eventually New York City.</p> <p>After hearing from each band member, the panel opened up for questions from the audience. Jazz Composition and Cinema Studies double-degree fifth-year student Jace Mason is considering pursuing his interests in jazz and film separately and questions finding a way to integrate them. Artemis members encouraged the combining of these fields, leading Miller and Glover to recount previous multimedia works they were part of and the plethora of ways that different mediums can positively influence each other. Ezra Rudel ‘23 is interested in finding mentorship, to which Glover responded by stressing the importance of always having a mentor, especially after graduating from college. Fourth-year jazz vibraphonist Kelsi Bolden thinks about hunkering down after graduation before making a big move to enter a music scene. Artemis unanimously agreed that isolating after school can be a great opportunity to gather mental strength and further artistic skills before applying them in professional environments.</p> <p>With decades of musical and professional experience between them, Artemis’s series of events leading up to their culminating performance in Finney Chapel provided countless invaluable lessons to all who attended. Artemis undoubtedly left a positive and indelible impact on 91ֱ��’s jazz community and the school’s music scene.</p> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Artemis takes a final bow after their March 13 performance in Finney Chapel. Photo: Jonathan Clark</figcaption> </figure> </div> <hr> <p><em>George Rogers is a second-year saxophonist and is a student communications assistant for the Conservatory Communications Office.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jazz supergroup provides valuable lessons in music, artistry, and mentorship by engaging with students and community members through a presentation, Q&A, master class, and career talk.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-03-21T12:00:00Z">Thu, 03/21/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">George Rogers</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2364">Artist Recital Series</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2410">Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34896">Jazz Composition</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Artemis performs in Finney Chapel as part of the 2023-24 Artist Recital Series.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Gallery Style)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jonathan Clark</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-33590" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-cont-img-section paragraph--view-mode--photoswipe-images photoswipe-gallery"> <div class="o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <div class="image-grid image-grid--single-caption pull"> <div id="obj-31760" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-image-row paragraph--view-mode--photoswipe-images"> <div class="image-row"> <div class="image-row__images" data-cols="3"> <div id="obj-30063" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-figure paragraph--view-mode--photoswipe-images"> <figure> <a href="/sites/default/files/content/figure/24-03-12_artemis_masterclass_cat_jonathan_clark_021.jpg" class="photoswipe" data-pswp-width="1500" data-pswp-height="988"> </a> <figcaption> <div class="figure__credit"><p>Photo credit: Jonathan Clark</p></div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div id="obj-30064" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-figure paragraph--view-mode--photoswipe-images"> <figure> <a href="/sites/default/files/content/figure/-03-12_artemis_masterclass_cat_jonathan_clark_005.jpg" class="photoswipe" data-pswp-width="2500" data-pswp-height="1609"> </a> <figcaption> <div class="figure__credit"><p>Photo credit: Jonathan Clark</p></div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div id="obj-30065" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-figure paragraph--view-mode--photoswipe-images"> <figure> <a href="/sites/default/files/content/figure/artemis_career_talk_7_photo_by_abe_frato_clr.jpg" class="photoswipe" data-pswp-width="2500" data-pswp-height="1600"> </a> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="figcaption"> <div class="figure__caption"> <p>Two student ensembles receive feedback after their master class performances for their peers and Artemis at the Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse. The five members of the ensemble engage in discussion with students during the panel in the Birenbaum.</p> </div> <div class="figure__credit"> Photo credit: Jonathan Clark (master class), Abe Frato (panel discussion) </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Five Faculty Earn Excellence in Teaching Honors</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:48:43 +0000</p> <span>Five Faculty Earn Excellence in Teaching Honors</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-03-14T10:48:43-04:00" title="Thursday, March 14, 2024 - 10:48">Thu, 03/14/2024 - 10:48</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Five 91ֱ�� faculty members have been recognized with Excellence in Teaching Awards for the 2022-23 academic year.</p> <p>Presented annually, the awards recognize faculty in the college and conservatory who have demonstrated sustained and distinctive excellence in the classroom and beyond.</p> <p>Though they approach their teaching across widely varied disciplines, the honorees are united by several key characteristics, says <a href="/node/4921">David Kamitsuka</a>, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences:</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;">“All of them are beloved and visionary teachers, they are deeply admired by their colleagues, they do a superb job connecting their area of expertise to its importance in real life, and they find great joy and meaning in the growth of their students.”</p> <p>A dinner reception was held March 11 at the home of President Carmen Twillie Ambar. The honorees (pictured above at the reception) are as follows:</p> <p><strong><a href="/node/6671">Jay Ashby</a><br> Associate Professor of Jazz Studies<br> Teacher of Jazz Composition and Trombone<br> Director of the Division of Jazz Studies</strong></p> <p>Dean of the Conservatory <a href="/node/49511">Bill Quillen</a> praises Jay Ashby’s commitment to students, his stewardship of the <a href="/node/3231">Division of Jazz Studies</a>, and his development of the Performance and Improvisation program, as well as his ongoing ties to 91ֱ�� athletics as co-chair of the General Faculty Athletics Committee.</p> <p>“Jay Ashby has played a leading role in continuing the legacy of jazz studies at 91ֱ��, and he works tirelessly in support of our students,” Quillen says. “He has expanded the realm of jazz studies and created opportunities not just for our jazz students, but for students across our campus.”</p> <hr> <p><strong><a href="/node/6761">Jonathan Moyer</a><br> David S. Boe Associate Professor of Organ<br> Chair of the Organ Department</strong></p> <p>“Jonathan Moyer is one of the most outstanding organ performers and pedagogues in America,” Quillen says. “He stands out not only for his artistic excellence, but also for his deep-seated care for his students. He has continued 91ֱ��’s rich tradition of organ study and placed the students and their needs at the heart of everything he does.”</p> <p>Quillen praises Moyer for his commitment to creating immersive learning experiences in organ centers across Europe and fostering career connections for his students throughout Northeast Ohio and around the world.</p> <hr> <p><strong><span id="cke_bm_37257S" style="display: none;"> </span>Lynn Powell<br> Emerita Assistant Professor of Creative Writing<br> Director of 91ֱ�� Writers in the Schools</strong></p> <p>Kamitsuka cites Lynn Powell’s extraordinary and longstanding commitment to the <a href="/node/3221">Creative Writing Department</a> and the community. For more than two decades, she provided visionary leadership to 91ֱ��’s <a href="/node/178921">Writers in the Schools</a> program, a collaboration between the college and 91ֱ�� public schools. “It’s truly unimaginable how much work Lynn has put into this labor of love,” Kamitsuka says of Powell, who retired in summer 2023.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><strong><a href="/node/5706"><span id="cke_bm_37257E" style="display: none;"> </span></a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="/node/5261">Lisa Ryno</a><br> Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry</strong></p> <p>“What is so impressive about Lisa Ryno is her incredible efforts and success in involving students in every facet of her research,” says Kamitsuka. “No one has done more than Lisa to ensure that all students thrive.” Kamitsuka notes that Ryno spearheaded—while on sabbatical—implementation of the Chemistry Climate Survey, which was intended to assess students’ sense of belonging and engagement with the department.</p> <p>Ryno’s many student collaborations are evidenced in the great number of student researchers who participate with <a href="/undergraduate-research">91ֱ�� Undergraduate Research</a> and present at departmental symposiums—and also in the contingent of five students who will present alongside Ryno at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference this month in San Antonio.</p> <p>“Nothing is better than watching someone gain confidence in the lab and take ownership of their project,” Ryno says.</p> <hr> <p><strong><a href="/node/5706">Md Rumi Shammin</a><br> Professor of Environmental Studies<br> Director of the Environmental Studies Program</strong></p> <p>“Rumi Shammin models genuine modesty and humility as the foundation of all learning,” says Kamitsuka.</p> <p>Shammin is regarded among students and fellow faculty as a master of group projects and collaborative work, including his National Science Foundation-funded project “Perspective-Taking and Systems-Thinking for Complex Problem Solving.” Shammin founded <a href="/node/3196">Environmental Studies</a>’ Career Day, which offers a highly successful model for forging professional connections.</p> <hr> <p><strong>About the Excellence in Teaching Awards:</strong> Each year, College of Arts and Sciences faculty are selected for consideration through nominations presented to the College Faculty Council, which are then reviewed by a faculty committee. An award is presented in each division of the college: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics. The conservatory dean recommends a number of conservatory faculty to the Conservatory Faculty Council for consideration, and together they review and narrow the recommendations to two recipients.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Annual awards celebrate distinguished and sustained leadership across the college and conservatory.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-03-14T12:00:00Z">Thu, 03/14/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34896">Jazz Composition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25351">Environmental Studies and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25326">Creative Writing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25246">Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=28886">Historical Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=40211">Historical Keyboard Instruments</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=32966">Organ</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jay-ashby" hreflang="und">Jay Ashby</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jonathan-william-moyer" hreflang="und">Jonathan William Moyer</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/lisa-ryno" hreflang="und">Lisa Ryno</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/md-rumi-shammin" hreflang="und">Md Rumi Shammin</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/historical-performance" hreflang="und">Historical Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing" hreflang="und">Creative Writing</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">91ֱ��’s 2022-23 Excellence in Teaching honorees (from left): Jonathan Moyer, Lisa Ryno, Rumi Shammin, Lynn Powell, and Jay Ashby.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Scott Shaw</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>91ֱ�� Artist Recital Series Presents Artemis</h1> <p>srasmuss — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:07:31 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ�� Artist Recital Series Presents Artemis</span> <span><span>srasmuss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-03-05T13:07:31-05:00" title="Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - 13:07">Tue, 03/05/2024 - 13:07</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>What do the words powerful, wonderful, extraordinary, appealing, undeniable, palpable, natural, immediate, unique, organic, and brilliant have in common?</p> <p>They are all adjectives that have been used to describe the musical chemistry of <a href="/tickets/event-details?EventId=6202">Artemis</a>, the collective of modern jazz bandleaders and composers that was named “Jazz Group of the Year” in the 2023 DownBeat Readers Poll.</p> <p>The results of that musical chemistry?</p> <p>“All of us know each other so well now, and we know each other’s playing, so it’s fun and inspiring to write for each person’s strengths,” says pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes.</p> <p>“And musically, I would say we’ve all become a bit more adventurous with how we play together because we know that everyone’s got each other’s back. We always allow the music to flow in the moment, so that if somebody wants to take things in a certain direction, we’re all there.”</p> <p>Northeast Ohio audiences will hear that chemistry in action when Artemis appears on the 91ֱ�� Artist Recital Series on <a href="/tickets/event-details?EventId=6202">March 13</a> in Finney Chapel.</p> <p>Rosnes will be joined in 91ֱ�� by trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller. Naturally, the ensemble’s 2023 album In Real Time—which includes six originals and two arrangements of pieces by Lyle Mays and Wayne Shorter—will make up an important part of the program.</p> <p>“And we’ve also got a few newer things in the book,” Rosnes says.</p> <p>Among the possible meanings behind the title In Real Time is the fleeting, immediate nature of music—how, unless recording is involved, it is heard right at the moment when it is created, and no longer than that.</p> <p>“For this last album, we were able to do a week at Birdland in New York City before heading into the studio, which enabled us to kind of workshop the new compositions. So, by the time we got into the studio, the band was in a good state of flow, allowing each piece to unfold in—well, in real time.”</p> <p>Both that album and their 2020 self-titled debut were released on Blue Note Records, which signed Artemis after their acclaimed performance at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival. “It was really wonderful when the president, Don Was, invited us to be on the label,” Rosnes says. “I feel like Blue Note has been a central figure in the history of jazz, so we’re all very excited about being part of that family.”</p> <p>The group’s 91ֱ�� itinerary will also include a visit to the Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse on <a href="/events/presentation_and_qa_with_artemis">March 12</a>, when Artemis will give a short performance and presentation in addition to participating in a Q&A led by members of the Crimson Collective, a group of female and non-binary 91ֱ�� students dedicated to performing Black American music.</p> <p>With that in mind, it’s notable that the formation of Artemis came when a promoter asked Rosnes to put together an all-female band in celebration of International Women’s Day 2017. But since then, the pianist says, gender has not been part of the group’s self-concept.</p> <p>“After that, we all just had so much fun playing together, we wanted to keep it going. For all of us, I think it’s about the power of the music, not the gender—that’s not something that we think about in terms of our art. And I wish more people would see it that way. Think about how many all-male bands there are, and gender doesn’t need to be mentioned. Why can’t it be the same for any gender?”</p> <p>She doesn’t discount the impact that Artemis has had on audiences as an all-women ensemble in the disproportionately male world of jazz. “I’m often moved by the emotional reactions we receive from people of all genders who relay to us how inspiring it is to witness and listen to a band such as ours. But having said that, we really don’t think about it.”</p> <p><strong>Concert details</strong><br> <a href="/events/artist_recital_series_artemis">Artemis</a><br> 7:30 p.m.<br> Wednesday, March 13<br> 91ֱ�� College Finney Chapel<br> 90 N. Professor St.<br> 91ֱ��, OH 44074</p> <p><strong>Tickets:</strong><br> $35 Public | $30 OC Staff/Faculty/Alumni, Seniors, Military | $10 Students</p> <p>Concert tickets are available <a href="/tickets/event-details?EventId=6202">online</a> and by phone at 800-371-0178. Patrons may also purchase them in person between noon and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 91ֱ�� College's Central Ticket Service, located at 67 N. Main Street, in the lobby of the Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Complex.</p> <p><a href="/artsguide/ticket-information/claim-your-seat">Free Artist Recital Series tickets</a> for enrolled 91ֱ�� students are available through the Claim Your Seat program, made possible through the generosity of Richard ’62 and Linda ’62 Clark. </p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="/artsguide">Arts at 91ֱ��.</a></p> <p>This program is proudly supported by <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/">Ideastream Public Media</a>, official media partner of the Artist Recital Series.</p> <hr> <p><em>Jarrett Hoffman ’14 is a freelance writer and clarinetist based in New York.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">2023 DownBeat Readers Poll “Jazz Group of the Year” to perform in Finney Chapel. While on campus they’ll also work with students.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-03-05T12:00:00Z">Tue, 03/05/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jarrett Hoffman '14</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2364">Artist Recital Series</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2548">Concerts and Recitals</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34896">Jazz Composition</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>91ֱ�� Jazz Faculty and Students Participate in Launch of Ideastream's JazzNEO</h1> <p>cstrauss — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:15:01 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ�� Jazz Faculty and Students Participate in Launch of Ideastream's JazzNEO</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-03-01T13:15:01-05:00" title="Friday, March 1, 2024 - 13:15">Fri, 03/01/2024 - 13:15</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Cleveland’s new <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/jazz">JazzNEO</a> streaming service will highlight the depth and breadth of the art form, playing music from all eras and featuring professional and student musicians from here in Northeast Ohio.</p> <p>Ideastream sees the presentation of this distinctly American art form as essential part of its programming. </p> <p>The first spotlight opportunity for 91ֱ�� faculty and students came on February 26.</p> <p>Saxophonist Chris Coles, an 91ֱ�� Conservatory Jazz Division faculty member and small ensemble coach, performed with three Conservatory Jazz Studies students—bassist Ahmed McLemore, pianist Wilson Woods, and drummer Max Simas—for a capacity audience at Cleveland’s premiere jazz venue, the Bop Stop. </p> <p>The evening was produced by Ideastream Public Media as a launch event for the new jazz channel, which will broadcast on 90.3 HD2 and stream live on <a href="http://jazzneo.org">JazzNEO.org</a>. </p> <p>Coles also spoke as part of the panel of guests assembled for the evening to discuss what it means to have jazz radio back in Northeast Ohio. </p> <p>Performances and interviews recorded that evening will be broadcast on Ideastream’s <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/show/sound-of-ideas/2024-03-04/sound-of-ideas-community-tour-a-look-at-northeast-ohios-jazz-scene"><em>Sound of Ideas</em> on Monday, March 4</a> at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., where you will hear the ensemble from 91ֱ��. <em>Sound of Ideas</em> broadcasts on WKSU at 89.7 FM and <a href="https://www.ideastream.org/sound-of-ideas">online</a>.</p> <h6>About the students</h6> <p>Jazz bassist Ahmed McLemore is in his fourth year at 91ֱ�� Conservatory, where he studies with Gerald Cannon. Originally from Detroit, Michigan and now living in Dallas, Texas, McLemore is a member of the 2023-24 91ֱ�� Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble. The ensemble just returned from a tour to California where they performed at SFJAZZ and Hidden Valley Music Seminars and worked with music students in the Bay Area.</p> <p>Jazz pianist Wilson Woods is in his fourth year at 91ֱ�� Conservatory, where he has studied with Dan Wall and Sullivan Fortner. The Boise, Idaho native is also pursuing a minor course of study in Music and Cognition where he takes classes in cognitive science, music theory, music history, and music production. He was a member of the 2021-22 91ֱ�� Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble. </p> <p>San Francisco Bay Area native Max Simas is a second-year Jazz Performance student at 91ֱ�� Conservatory where he is pursuing a concentration in jazz percussion studying with Billy Hart, Gerald Cannon, and Paul Samuels. He recently helped lead a quartet that toured California, over three weeks of Winter Term, with dates at clubs in the Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The new offering out of Cleveland's public broadcasting outfit is the region's only full-time jazz streaming service.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-03-01T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/01/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2410">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3341">Conservatory Faculty</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">91ֱ�� jazz faculty member and saxophonist Chris Coles and three Jazz Studies students—bassist Ahmed McLemore, pianist Wilson Woods, and drummer Max Simas—performed at the Bop Stop on February 26.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Matt Crow, Ideastream Public Media</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Tyreek McDole ’23 Wins Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition</h1> <p>cstrauss — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 03:00:13 +0000</p> <span>Tyreek McDole ’23 Wins Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-12-07T22:00:13-05:00" title="Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 22:00">Thu, 12/07/2023 - 22:00</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Recent 91ֱ�� Conservatory graduate <a href="https://www.tyreekmcdole.com/">Tyreek McDole ’23</a> has won the 2023 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business. His performances included “September in the Rain” and two blues songs: “Lush Life” and “Every Day I Have the Blues.”</p> <p>McDole was one of the five finalists who emerged from a record number of more than 280 applicants representing 37 countries. His win marks only the second time a male vocalist has taken first prize in the contest’s 12-year history.</p> <p>Also known as “The SASSY Awards,” the competition was held on Sunday November 19 before a live audience at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and was part of the TD Bank James Moody Jazz Festival.</p> <p>Noted as one of the most anticipated events in jazz, this accolade now ranks McDole among the competition’s previous winners that include the standout artists Samara Joy (2019 winner) and Jazzmeia Horn (2013 winner).</p> <p>The <em>London Jazz News</em> review of the event praised McDole’s performance: “Clearly, McDole doesn’t just have a way with the blues; he has a sinuous and companionable way with them.”</p> <p>While at 91ֱ��, McDole was a member of the 91ֱ�� Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble. He credits his musical development to the guidance he received at 91ֱ�� from LaTanya Hall, Gary Bartz, Gerald Cannon, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, Dan Wall, Sullivan Fortner, and Weedie Braimah</p> <p>Originally from St. Cloud, Florida, McDole now lives and works in New York City where he has performed at the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club, Birdland Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Minton’s Playhouse and he has collaborated with artists such as Theo Croker, Nicholas Payton, Rodney Whitaker, Russell Hall, Johnny O’Neal, Emmet Cohen, and Gary Bartz. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">McDole emerged from a record 280 applicants from 37 countries</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-12-07T12:00:00Z">Thu, 12/07/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2974">Conservatory Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/la-tanya-hall" hreflang="und">La Tanya Hall</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Tyreek McDole ’23 receives prize at 2023 Sarah Vaughan Competition.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Shakiru Bola Okoya via NJPAC</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Courtney Bryan ’04 Wins Prestigious MacArthur Fellowship</h1> <p>eburnett — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 01:09:41 +0000</p> <span>Courtney Bryan ’04 Wins Prestigious MacArthur Fellowship</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-10-03T21:09:41-04:00" title="Tuesday, October 3, 2023 - 21:09">Tue, 10/03/2023 - 21:09</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Composer and pianist <a href="https://www.courtneybryan.com/">Courtney Bryan</a>, a 2004 graduate of 91ֱ�� Conservatory whose works explore the African American experience through a range of musical and sociopolitical influences, has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship for 2023, one of the nation’s most prestigious and lucrative honors.</p> <p>A native of New Orleans, Bryan completed a BM in <a href="/node/75916">composition</a> at 91ֱ��, an MM from Rutgers University, and an MA and DMA from Columbia University. Since 2016 she has taught at Tulane University, where she is the Albert and Linda Mintz Professor of Music. She is also composer in residence at Opera Philadelphia. Bryan’s compositions have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and numerous other renowned venues and festivals.</p> <p>Widely known as the “Genius Grant,” the <a href="https://www.macfound.org/programs/fellows/">MacArthur Fellowship</a> recognizes the creative contributions and potential of individuals representing disciplines across the sciences, arts, and humanities. Each fellow receives a stipend of $800,000 with no strings attached.</p> <p>Bryan becomes the 14th graduate of 91ֱ�� to be honored with a MacArthur Fellowship. She follows writer and educator <a href="/news/kiese-laymon-98-earns-macarthur-foundation-honor-2022">Kiese Laymon ’98</a>, who won in 2022, and musician <a href="/news/rhiannon-giddens-00-named-macarthur-fellow-2017">Rhiannon Giddens ’00</a>, a 2017 honoree.</p> <p>“It’s still sinking in for me,” Bryan said from the American Academy in Rome, where she is completing work made possible by a <a href="/news/courtney-bryan-04-awarded-rome-prize-composition">Rome Prize</a> awarded in 2019. Still reckoning with the news of her MacArthur honor, she said she’s not sure how she will use the award but that she’s in the early stages of “brainstorm mode.”</p> <p>“The honor of MacArthur is an affirmation of one pursuing one’s own path,” she said. “I feel affirmed and I feel grateful for my family, community, teachers, and collaborators who have helped me grow to who I am today. I also hope to use this stage of my career to see what things I can help build upon—especially in New Orleans, to further creative opportunities for other creatives.”</p> <p>Bryan’s eclectic musical interests—which include classical, jazz, spiritual, gospel, and postmodern influences—can be traced to her studies at 91ֱ��. In addition to her composition major, she studied classical and jazz piano extensively, mentored by piano professors <a href="/node/6736">Alvin Chow</a> and <a href="/node/6721">Dan Wall</a> and a host of other faculty across the conservatory and college. She was a fixture in the 91ֱ�� Jazz Ensemble throughout her time on campus and she regularly collaborates with a long list of fellow 91ֱ�� alumni musicians.</p> <p>“I remain grateful for my time at 91ֱ��: a time when I really got to explore the paths forward and to be in such a creative environment with such amazing professors and classmates,” Bryan said from Rome. “I loved my time at 91ֱ��!”</p> <p>Learn more about Bryan at <a href="https://www.courtneybryan.com/">courtneybryan.com</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Composer-pianist’s artistry reveals wide-ranging influences; honor is the 14th for an 91ֱ�� graduate.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-10-04T12:00:00Z">Wed, 10/04/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2974">Conservatory Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=33331">Composition</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/alvin-chow" hreflang="und">Alvin Chow</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/contemporary-music" hreflang="und">Contemporary Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Gary Bartz Named NEA Jazz Master for 2024</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:45:31 +0000</p> <span>Gary Bartz Named NEA Jazz Master for 2024</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-08-17T08:45:31-04:00" title="Thursday, August 17, 2023 - 08:45">Thu, 08/17/2023 - 08:45</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="/node/7076">Gary Bartz</a>, 91ֱ��’s Grammy Award-winning professor of jazz saxophone and a vital link to generations of jazz greats, has secured a claim to greatness all his own: Bartz was named a 2024 Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, the nation’s highest honor conferred to jazz musicians.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</figcaption> </figure> <p>Bartz is the second 91ֱ�� jazz faculty member to earn the accolade in the past three years: His colleague, Associate Professor of Jazz Drumming <a href="/node/6701">Billy Hart</a>, was named a 2022 Jazz Master.</p> <p>A member of the 91ֱ�� jazz faculty since 2001, Bartz joins a 2024 class of honorees that includes seven-time Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard; pianist, vocalist, and composer Amina Claudine Myers; and artistic director, writer, and broadcaster Willard Jenkins. They will be celebrated in an April 2024 concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.</p> <p>A native of Baltimore, Bartz was raised in his parents’ nightclub, an experience that left him idolizing Charlie Parker by age 6 and wielding his own first alto sax five years later. He attended the Juilliard School and joined the Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop in 1962, beginning a long run of high-profile collaborations as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and in the bands of Max Roach and Miles Davis, among others.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Grammy Award-winning saxophone professor has played with jazz luminaries spanning generations.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-08-17T12:00:00Z">Thu, 08/17/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3341">Conservatory Faculty</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34896">Jazz Composition</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gary-bartz" hreflang="und">Gary Bartz</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/billy-hart" hreflang="und">Billy Hart</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Gary Bartz performed alongside his fellow 91ֱ�� jazz faculty in a February 2023 concert in Finney Chapel.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32100" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant> <p>Music is humbling, and I am humbled by this award.”</p> <p class="blockquote__attribution"> Gary Bartz </p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27772" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>A longtime resident of Oakland, California, Bartz is a two-time Grammy Award winner for his contributions to recordings by Roy Hargrove (1997) and McCoy Tyner (2004).</p> <p>In comments to the NEA, Bartz recognized the many others who paved the way for his career and emphasized the origins of the art form to which he has dedicated his life.</p> <p>“I am very honored to have been chosen to join many of my mentors and contemporaries for this award honoring this art form that was founded in the U.S.A., which I call <em>informal composition</em>, not improvisation,” he said. “I give thanks to my ancestors who nurtured this great art form born in the U.S.A. Music is humbling, and I am humbled by this award. This music is our gift to the universe!”</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> </main></body></html>