Tom Oren Selected as First-Place Winner for 2018 Piano Competition

Washington, DC – The 2018 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition and All-Star Gala Concert came to a thrilling conclusion following the announcement of Tom Oren (24), of Tel Aviv, Israel, as first place winner of the Competition. Tom then joined a host of jazz greats onstage to perform the Miles Davis tune “Walkin'” for the enthusiastic audience.

Presented by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, the world’s preeminent jazz education organization, the Competition awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes, including a major scholarship and a guaranteed recording contract with Concord Music Group for the winner. The distinguished judges included Monty Alexander, Joanne Brackeen, Cyrus Chestnut, Herbie Hancock, Jason MoranDanilo Pérez and Renee Rosnes.

The December 3rdevent at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater featured a star-studded Gala Concert with a tribute to the late Aretha Franklin and the presentation of the Institute’s Maria Fisher Founder’s Award to internationally celebrated vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater. Hosted by award-winning actor Blair Underwood, the evening featured amazing performances by a diverse group of all-stars including Musical Director John BeasleyTheo CrokerDeborah Joy Winans, James GenusJimmy Heath and Ledisi. They were joined onstage by past Competition winners and finalists Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa AldanaKris BowersRoberta GambariniJazzmeia HornLinda Oh and Jamison Ross, all of whom have become leading names on the international jazz scene.

First place winner Tom Oren (24), commanded the audience’s attention with his performance of “Just One Of Those Things” and “Just As Though You Were Here.” Second place winner Isaiah Thompson (21), of West Orange, New Jersey, performed “A Prayer/Good Intentions” and “The Other Originals” (both originals) and third place winner Maxime Sanchez (31), of Toulouse, France, performed “The Mothers of The Veil” and “Gone With The Wind.” They were among the 13 outstanding young pianists from around the world who competed a day earlier in the Competition Semifinals at the National Museum of Natural History’s Baird Auditorium. Bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Carl Allen accompanied each competitor.

2018 Competition Finalists (from left) Maxime Sanchez, Isaiah Thompson and Tom Oren with Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, December 3, 2018.
2018 Competition Finalists (from left) Maxime Sanchez, Isaiah Thompson and Tom Oren with Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, December 3, 2018. Photo Credit: Steve Mundinger/Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

The Gala began by shining a spotlight on emerging musicians. The Institute’s National Peer-to-Peer High School All-Star Jazz Sextet performed Stevie Wonder’s hit “Higher Ground” with dynamic vocalist Lisa Henry, a past Competition winner. Among the nation’s most accomplished young jazz musicians, these students train with Institute teaching artists at public performing arts high schools across the country.

The evening also showcased the Thelonious Monk Institute Ensemble performing Herbie Hancock’s “Riot.” These seven gifted musicians from around the world receive full scholarships to attend the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, the Institute’s master’s degree program at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles. These students, who represent the next generation of jazz artists, study for two years with Distinguished Professors Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and receive instruction from many other world-renowned jazz musicians, composers and educators.

Highlights of the Gala Concert included a soulful medley of Aretha Franklin tunes sung by Ledisi, Roberta Gambarini, Jazzmeia Horn and Lisa Henry in tribute to the Queen of Soul, a longtime Institute supporter.

Jazz master Jimmy Heath, now more than 90 years young, led a performance of his composition “Without Song.” And acclaimed vocalist Deborah Joy Winans and saxophone star Melissa Aldana gave a passionate rendition of “If You Believe” from Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Tony Award-winning performance in “The Wiz.”

After accepting the Maria Fisher Founder’s Award from Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater joined Hancock and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire in a mesmerizing performance of Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue.”

Institute Advisory Board member Dee Dee Bridgewater accepts the 2018 Maria Fisher Founder's Award with (from left) Herbie Hancock, Blair Underwood, Ledisi, Deborah Joy Winans and Jazzmeia Horn.
Institute Advisory Board member Dee Dee Bridgewater accepts the 2018 Maria Fisher Founder’s Award with (from left) Herbie Hancock, Blair Underwood, Ledisi, Deborah Joy Winans and Jazzmeia Horn. Photo Credit: Steve Mundinger/Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

Proceeds from the All-Star Gala Concert will support the Institute’s public school education programs in Washington D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Newark, San Francisco and the Mississippi Delta. Through its Competition and wide-ranging education programs, the Institute identifies and trains the world’s most promising young jazz musicians. All of the Institute’s education programs are provided free of charge, with a special emphasis on serving economically disadvantaged public school students and their teachers and parents.

Finalists Announced for 2018 Piano Competition

The Semifinals round of the 2018 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition concluded Saturday evening with the selection of Tom Oren (Tel Aviv, Israel), Maxime Sanchez (Toulouse, France) and Isaiah Thompson (West Orange, New Jersey) as Finalists. The three talented pianists will participate in the Competition Finals on December 3 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. At stake will be a guaranteed recording contract with Concord Records along with major scholarships.

The Semifinals pool included thirteen talented young pianists hailing from Estonia, France, Hungary, Israel, Russia, Spain and the United States. Each competitor had the opportunity to perform for 15 minutes before an all-star judging panel. The Finalists chose a variety of compositions ranging from originals to selections from the Great American Songbook:

  • Tom Oren: “Lester Left Town” (Wayne Shorter), “Lush Life” (Billy Strayhorn), “52nd Street Theme” (Thelonious Monk)
  • Maxime Sanchez: “Blue Dog” (Original), “You Are Too Beautiful” (Rogers & Hart), “317 East 32nd Street Theme” (Lennie Tristano)
  • Isaiah Thompson: “Manteca” (Dizzy Gillespie/Chano Pozo), “The IT Department” (Original), “Chelsea Bridge” (Billy Strayhorn)

The Competition Finals will take place on Monday in the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre before an illustrious panel of judges including Monty Alexander, Joanne Brackeen, Cyrus Chestnut, Herbie Hancock, Jason Moran, Danilo Pérez and Renee Rosnes. The evening’s program will consist of performances from Oren, Sanchez and Thompson beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by an All-Star Gala Concert featuring a tribute to late music icon and Institute supporter Aretha Franklin. The evening will conclude with the presentation of the Maria Fisher Founder’s Award to Institute Advisory Board member Dee Dee Bridgewater, followed by the announcement of the first, second and third place awards.

The Institute congratulates all of the 2018 Competitors on their incredible performances and musicianship, and thanks them for their participation.

Click here to purchase tickets to the Competition Finals at the Kennedy Center.

Click here to learn more about the 2018 Competition.

Actor Blair Underwood to Host 2018 Competition Finals & Gala, December 3rd

The Institute is pleased to announce that award-winning actor, director and producer Blair Underwood will host the upcoming Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition and All-Star Gala Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on December 3rd, 2018. One of the most recognizable faces in television and film, Underwood is renowned for his work on hit series including LA Law, Quantico and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Underwood will emcee the All-Star Gala Concert portion of the evening, introducing the tribute to music icon Aretha Franklin as well as the presentation of the Institute’s Maria Fisher Founder’s Award to legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater.

The evening’s first half includes the Competition Finals, featuring three gifted young pianists performing before distinguished judges Monty Alexander, Joanne Brackeen, Cyrus Chestnut, Herbie Hancock, Jason Moran, Danilo Pérez and Renee Rosnes. The three finalists will be selected the previous afternoon, December 2nd, following the semifinals round at the Smithsonian Institution’s Baird Auditorium. At stake is more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes, including a guaranteed recording contract with Concord Records.

After the thrilling Competition Finals, an all-star cast including Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Kris Bowers, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, Jazzmeia Horn, Ledisi, Jamison Ross, Kendrick Scott, Deborah Joy Winans, musical director John Beasley and more will deliver a series of unforgettable musical performances in honor of Aretha Franklin and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

For more information on the Competition Finals and All-Star Gala Concert, check out the official Facebook event or purchase tickets at the Kennedy Center website.

The Competition Semifinals are free and open to the public. Visit the Smithsonian Institution website for more details.

2018 Piano Competition to take place December 2-3 in Washington, D.C.

Weekend Includes All-Star Gala Concert Honoring Jazz Legend Dee Dee Bridgewater and Special Tribute to Longtime Institute Supporter Aretha Franklin

Washington, D.C —The 30th Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Competition will be presented December 2-3 in Washington, DC. Open to musicians ages 30 and under from across the globe, this year’s competition will shine a spotlight on the piano.

The Semifinals of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition will be held on Sunday, December 2nd, from noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Smithsonian Institution’s Baird Auditorium inside the National Museum of Natural History. The 14 semifinalists will compete before an all-star panel of judges that includes jazz pianists Monty Alexander, Joanne Brackeen, Cyrus Chestnut, Herbie Hancock, Jason Moran, Danilo Pérez and Renee Rosnes. Each semifinalist will perform for 15 minutes, accompanied by Rodney Whitaker on bass and Carl Allen on drums.

From this group, the judges will select three finalists who will perform in the final round at The Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater on Monday evening, December 3rd. At stake is more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes, including a $25,000 first place scholarship and guaranteed recording contract with Concord Music Group; a $15,000 second place scholarship; and a $10,000 third place scholarship.

Following the three finalists’ performances at the Competition Finals, an All-Star Gala Concert will include a special tribute to the late Aretha Franklin, who was an Institute supporter for more than two decades through her many performances and contributions to the Institute’s jazz education programs. NEA Jazz Master, multiple GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist, and Tony Award-winning actress Dee Dee Bridgewater will receive this year’s Maria Fisher Founder’s Award. The event will bring together major names in jazz, including past Competition winners and finalists Ambrose Akinmusire, Melissa Aldana, Kris Bowers, Jazzmeia Horn, Linda Oh, and Jamison Ross. They will be joined by John Beasley (Musical Director), Jimmy Heath, Ledisi, and others. Also performing will be the graduate-level college students who attend the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA. Additional talent will be announced shortly.

Proceeds from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition and All-Star Gala Concert will help fund the Institute’s public school education programs in Washington D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Newark, San Francisco and the Mississippi Delta.

Read the full press release here.

Learn more about the talented 2018 Semifinalists.

The Competition Semifinals on Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 are free and open to the public. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. and tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here to purchase tickets for the Competition Finals on Monday, December 3rd at the Kennedy Center.

For information on sponsorship and VIP packages around the 2018 Competition, give us a call at 202-364-7272.

Announcement: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

Washington, D.C. – The Board of Trustees of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz announced today that effective January 1, 2019 the Institute will become the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

The decision was made following a request by representatives of the Monk Estate regarding the continued use of Thelonious Monk’s name.

The Board acted in unison by approaching Mr. Hancock with a proposal to name the Institute in his honor. The Board’s decision reflects Mr. Hancock’s commitment and selfless service to the Institute over the past three decades, his expert guidance as Institute Chairman for the past 15 years, and his immense contributions to and impact on music, education and humanity. The Board strongly believes Mr. Hancock is the perfect choice to ensure continuity, stability, and vision for the Institute’s future.

As a Trustee, Mr. Hancock recused himself from voting or making any recommendations relating to this matter. When the Board made its final decision, Mr. Hancock acceded to the call of the unanimous Board decision.

Mr. Hancock and the Board of Trustees express their appreciation to Thelonious Monk, Jr. and the Monk family for everything they have done for the Institute over the past 30 years, and for helping to launch the Institute’s many education programs.

Mr. Hancock stated, “Having the Institute named in my honor is tremendously humbling and represents a profound moment for my family and me. I’m looking forward to continuing in my role as Institute Chairman and carrying on and expanding the organization’s important worldwide jazz education and humanitarian initiatives.”

Mr. Hancock added, “We have been searching for ways to increase the Institute’s impact musically as well as address humanitarian issues where we can make a difference. We will continue teaching the history and importance of jazz, its traditions and improvisation, along with exploring new directions and horizons for the future. Of utmost importance to the Institute and our programs is to highlight the ethics of jazz, which are humanitarian in nature.”

Mr. Hancock’s lead program as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador is International Jazz Day, which is produced in conjunction with the Institute, the United Nations and UNESCO. Mr. Hancock observed, “The goals and vision of UNESCO and the United Nations are similar to the values in jazz, and we intend to use our relationship with these institutions as a conduit to interact with organizations, communities, schools, and individuals around the world. Working together, we can illuminate the many challenging issues facing humankind by developing and enacting programs that will make a real difference in the quality of people’s lives and lift their spirits through music.”

The Institute will continue partnering with UCLA to offer its highly selective, graduate-level college program at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. This two-year, full scholarship program is the most prestigious master’s level jazz program of its kind and has produced many internationally acclaimed jazz musicians. Mr. Hancock will remain fully involved, serving as an instructor and mentor, working with the students on improvisation and composition, and performing with the students in Los Angeles, across the United States, and internationally.

A special emphasis will be placed on the Institute’s latest groundbreaking initiative “Math, Science and Music,” which uses music as a tool to teach math and science to young people, helping them gain skills and acquire knowledge in STEM subjects while learning to think creatively.

The Institute will continue its mission in all respects. The Board of Trustees will remain in place; the Institute’s ongoing education programs and events will continue; and the staff in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, California will continue to carry out their responsibilities. The Board of Trustees looks forward to this exciting new chapter in the Institute’s history.

About the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz:

The mission of the nonprofit Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is to offer the world’s most promising young musicians college level training by internationally acclaimed jazz masters and to present public school-based music education programs for young people around the world. The Institute preserves, perpetuates and expands jazz as a global art form, and utilizes jazz as a means to unite people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. All of the Institute’s programs are provided free of charge to students, schools and communities worldwide.

About Herbie Hancock:

Herbie Hancock, a 14-time GRAMMY Award winner and Academy Award winner, is an internationally renowned pianist and composer who has been an integral part of every jazz movement since the 1960s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, Hancock became one of the pioneers of modern jazz improvisation and one of the most influential voices on the piano in the history of jazz. His recordings in the ’70s combined electric jazz with funk and rock, influencing decades of music. His 1983 hit song “Rockit” established Hancock as an innovator in electronic music and inspired a generation of hip-hop artists. In 2007, he won the GRAMMY for Album of the Year, becoming the first jazz musician to receive this honor in 44 years. His most recent collaborations include Terrace Martin, Flying Lotus, Wayne Shorter, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Jacob Collier and Lionel Loueke. Hancock serves as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and the Institute’s Chairman.

Press inquiries: contact Alisse Kingsley / alissethemuse@aol.com / 323.467.8508

Institute of Jazz Performance at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Welcomes Class of 2020

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music welcomed seven talented new students to the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA program today. The cohort begins two years of intensive study with the world’s greatest living jazz masters, and offers the opportunity for each student to earn a Master of Music in Jazz Performance degree from UCLA.

The Class of 2020, the Hancock institute’s 12th, includes pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Emma Dayhuff, harmonicist Roni Eytan, tenor saxophonist Chris Lewis, trumpeter Aidan Lombard, alto saxophonist Lenard Simpson and drummer Malachi Whitson. Each a highly accomplished musician, in the coming months the seven students will form a cohesive band that, in addition to receiving daily instruction as a unit, will serve as ambassadors for the program, teaching and performing throughout the Los Angeles area and around the world.

Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA Class of 2020 (l-r): Roni Eytan, Aidan Lombard, Paul Cornish, Emma Dayhuff, Lenard Simpson, Chris Lewis, Malachi Whitson. Photo by Reed Hutchinson/Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

The new cohort was selected through a rigorous application process culminating in an audition judged by jazz luminaries Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, James Newton and Ambrose Akinmusire, who is a graduate of the program. Hancock is Chairman of the Institute’s board of trustees and Shorter is an Institute trustee; both are adjunct professors in the Herb Alpert School of Music, along with UCLA professor James Newton.

Over the course of the academic year, the Class of 2020 will study and perform with a litany of world-renowned jazz artists, honing their skills both on and off the bandstand. Artists-in-Residence have included Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Nnenna Freelon, Barry Harris, Roy Haynes, Jimmy Heath, Dave Holland, Wynton Marsalis, Jason Moran, Lewis Nash, Danilo Pérez, Dianne Reeves, and John Scofield, among many others. In addition, the students will receive composition instruction from GRAMMY Award winner Billy Childs and study improvisation with Jerry Bergonzi and Dick Oatts – two of the world’s top jazz improvisation experts.

Under the mentorship of these acclaimed instructors, the students, collectively known as the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA, present high-profile concerts and lead education and community outreach programs in Los Angeles, across the United States and around the world. Previous ensembles recently performed at International Jazz Day events in St. Petersburg, Russia; Havana, Cuba; and the White House. They also participated in performance and education tours of Argentina, Chile, China, Egypt, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam with Herbie Hancock.

About the Institute of Jazz Performance

Launched in 1995, the Institute of Jazz Performance accepts one ensemble of musicians for each class and provides unparalleled opportunities to study jazz and its defining element of improvisation with master musicians, composers and educators. All students receive full scholarships, along with stipends to cover their monthly living expenses. This enables them to be fully immersed in their education and development as artists.

Institute of Jazz Performance alumni – including Ambrose Akinmusire, Lionel Loueke, Gretchen Parlato, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stephens and Helen Sung, along with many others – have gone on to major careers as performing and recording artists, touring the world with legendary jazz musicians and as leaders of their own groups.

The Institute welcomes the Class of 2020 and looks forward to seeing their growth and accomplishments over the next two years.

Learn more about the Institute’s college program.

About the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is the first – and only – school of music in the University of California system. With more that 450 undergraduate and graduate students, the school offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through four independent but complementary departments and programs: Ethnomusicology, Global Jazz Studies, Music, and Musicology. The school’s exceptional approach to education provides students with academic opportunities that balance cutting-edge scholarship, performance mastery, and composition, with access to a leading music industry program. Rigorous and improvisational, the school encourages and embraces the exploration of music in all its contemporary and historical diversity. Students have a multitude of performance opportunities and access to world-class archives, music collections, dedicated centers of study and stellar faculty. Within UCLA’s interdisciplinary environment, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is the portal through which music engages with other disciplines on campus and beyond.

Learn more about the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.

2010 Competition Winner Cécile McLorin Salvant Featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk

National Public Radio released the latest edition of its popular Tiny Desk YouTube series today, featuring GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. McLorin Salvant, who won the 2010 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Vocals Competition, performed a four-song live set accompanied by pianist Sullivan Fortner.

Reviewing the performance, NPR Music Producer Suraya Mohamed called McLorin Salvant “a seasoned jazz singer with a vast vocal range, meticulous technical execution and a superb classical vocal foundation, which actually began when she was just 8. Her background in classical piano is evident in the inventive harmonic and melodic construction of the first three songs heard here; all are romantically themed McLorin Salvant compositions from her third album, For One to Love.”

Watch the whole concert here:

Established in 1987, the Institute’s International Competition is the most prestigious of its kind, recognized for discovering the next generation of jazz masters. The competition focuses on a different instrument each year and features an all-star judging panel. This high-profile annual event has launched the careers of (in addition to McLorin Salvant) Marcus Roberts, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Jacky Terrasson, Joey De Francesco, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ben Williams, Jane Monheit and Melissa Aldana, to name a few.

Learn more about the Competition.

Education VP Begins September Performing Arts High Schools Education Tour

Vice President for Education & Curriculum Development Dr. JB Dyas began a marathon tour of public schools this month as part of the Institute’s national Performing Arts High Schools (PAHS) initiative. The tour will take Dr. Dyas to six partner schools in five states and include intensive instruction for students and faculty across a variety of settings.

Partner schools served on this tour include the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas, Texas; Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey; and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Taken together, the six institutions represent a high-achieving cross-section of the nation’s public performing arts high schools. They boast an impressive cohort of graduates, counting renowned jazz masters like Wayne Shorter, Sarah Vaughan, Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Norah Jones and Roy Hargrove among their alumni.

Institute Vice President for Education & Curriculum Development Dr. JB Dyas works with students at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas, September 2018. Photo courtesy of Kinder HSPVA.

As part of his in-school visits, which are designed to complement the Institute’s year-round program of daily and weekly instruction by professional jazz artists, Dr. Dyas provides faculty development training, rehearses the schools’ big bands and smaller jazz combos, presents master classes and workshops, and gives private lessons. The visits have proven to be a highlight of each school’s jazz education offerings.

About PAHS

The Performing Arts High Schools initiative brings the Institute’s outstanding teaching artists into performing arts-focused secondary schools in cities across the country. The Institute provides consultation on curriculum development and instructional methodology, regular visits by guest artists and educators, private lessons, and intensive instruction. In addition, the Institute invites combos from selected schools to participate in weeklong Peer-to-Peer Jazz Education Tours in which the students perform with world-renowned jazz musicians in public high schools across the nation.

Learn more about our public school-based education programs.

Institute Students, Alumni Represented at 23rd Central Avenue Jazz Festival

Students in the Institute’s Los Angeles-area public school-based education programs received top billing at last weekend’s Central Avenue Jazz Festival, a decades-old LA institution. Also on offer were multiple ensembles led by alumni of both the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Competitions.

On Saturday, June 28th, the Thelonious Monk Institute / LAUSD All-City Big Band delivered an hourlong set of classic and contemporary music on the Etta James Stage. A collaboration between the Institute and the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Beyond the Bell after-school program, the All-City band enlists some of the district’s most talented student musicians for regular instruction and rehearsal with master teaching artists, as well as high-profile public performances throughout the year. Trombonist Ido Meshulam, from the Institute of Jazz Performance Class of 2016, and trumpeter Chad Willis served as special guests for the performance.

Separately, the Thelonious Monk Institute / LAUSD All-Star Combo gave a 45-minute performance at the nearby Dunbar Hotel. An historic property, in its heyday the Dunbar routinely hosted top names in jazz, including Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday, and formed a key locale for Los Angeles’ African-American community in the 1930s and ’40s.

Conducted by Institute Vice President of Education & Curriculum Development Dr. JB Dyas, the Thelonious Monk Institute / LAUSD All-City Big Band performs on the Etta James Stage during the 23rd annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival.

Later in the day, the festival hosted a special “All-Star Alumni Jam Session” on its Jazz Improv stage, featuring a house band made up of recent alumni of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance. Alto saxophonist Alex Hahn ’18, pianist Miro Sprague ’14, bassist Alex Boneham ’16 and drummer Christian Euman ’16 kept things swinging for nearly four hours while a packed crowd of local musicians, including festival performers and students from the All-City Band, sat in and played.

LAUSD Beyond the Bell Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator Tony White with the Institute’s All-Star Alumni band: Miro Sprague ’14, Alex Hahn ’18, Christian Euman ’16 and Alex Boneham ’16.

Highlights of the program on Sunday, June 29thincluded a performance by the Katalyst collective, led by alto saxophonist and Institute of Jazz Performance Class of 2016 graduate David Otis, as well as sets by Institute Class of 2003 graduate and Vocals Competition winner Gretchen Parlato and Vocals Competition semifinalist Tierney Sutton.

Now in its 23rdyear, the annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival is a featured event on the Los Angeles cultural calendar. Offered entirely free and open to the public, the festival pays tribute to the historic Central Avenue corridor, at one time an “epicenter of West Coast jazz” where legendary artists like Dexter Gordon, Charles Mingus, Dinah Washington and Cab Calloway performed. Previous festival lineups have boasted an array of established jazz artists and rising stars, including Kenny Burrell, Pete Escovedo, Gerald Wilson, Kamasi Washington and many others.

Jazz in the Classroom students participate in 2018 DCPS Music Festival

Performance is a critical component of any jazz education program. Students from the Institute’s Washington, D.C. Jazz in the Classroom program had the opportunity to do just that on Monday as part of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ annual DCPS Music Festival.

Duke Ellington School of the Arts Director of Jazz Studies Davey Yarborough leads the student jazz ensemble in a performance as part of the DCPS Music Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Photo: Jonathan Bartlett.

Jazz ensembles from Woodrow Wilson High School and the Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts performed for audiences consisting of peers from other public schools throughout the district, as well as the public. Applying lessons in improvisation and group dynamics gleaned from work with Institute clinicians throughout the school year, each band played a short set of 15 minutes, featuring interpretations of jazz standards like “Nardis” and “Frankie and Johnny” as well as funk classics like “Cut the Cake.”

Local news outlet WAMU reported that more than 3,000 students from 30 schools participated in the event, which aims to give the young musicians the valuable experience of playing for a live audience in the nation’s performing arts center.

Learn more about the Institute’s Jazz in the Classroom program.