Randy Klein Blog

Randy Klein at The Jazz Education Network Conference 2012

After attending the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference 2011 in New Orleans which to me was such a wonderful educational and musical experience, I was not sure if the 2012 Louisville, KY conference could live up to the previous year. But I am happy to report that not only did it live up to it, it surpassed it in many ways. The conference had a stellar lineup of Jazz performances from early in the day to the wee small hours along with a long list of music educators dedicated to the form of teaching about the world of Jazz. The level of the performances and the clinics was very high and hearing some of these young improvisers was simply inspiring. Jazz is alive and a new set of voices is flourishing. Congrats to all on the board of JEN for a job well done!

Photo: Randy Klein with JEN Co-founder/President Dr. Lou Fischer and saxophonist/educator Jamey Aebersold at the President’s Reception

Photo: Randy Klein with Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer and JEN Co-founder/Past President Mary Jo Papich at the President’s Reception

JEN’s mission statement of attracting and teaching new audiences about Jazz is out front and is spoken of in a very direct manner. Starting with the keynote speech by Alan Brown, who discussed his research of selling Jazz based on a survey of 5000 audiences members leaving major Jazz venues. Facsinating information that could be one of the keys to developing and kindling new listeners; the clinic by the infamous percussionist/educator/historian Bobby Sanabria on the influences of Latin Jazz. Again, his love of the form exuded as he spreads the message of teaching about the form. I conducted my clinic, ‘It’s About The Music/It’s About The Business of Music’. The response to it was overwhelmingly good and I felt as if I had shared my knowledge of music and the industry with the students who attended. Loren Schoenberg, from Jazz Museum of Harlem presented a clinic on the discovery of the Savory Collection of recordings. Great stuff that is again filled with the history of the form. Again, the mission of JEN is clear. Attracting and educating new audiences about Jazz. It was an honor to be part of it.

Photos: Randy Klein presenting his clinic ‘It’s All About the Music, It’s All About the Business of Music’ at The Jazz Education Network Conference 2012

And of course there were the performances. A particular performance of note was the US Army Jazz Band featuring Ernie Watts. A disconnect happens when you see a bunch of guys in military dress walk on the stage. You might think you would hear ‘Hail To The Chief’ or ‘The National Emblem March’, but NO…these guys swing and swing hard. The band is super tight, the sections are all playing as one proving that lots of practice and rehearsal works. You can feel the joy of music in every note they play. This is a band that plays 200 nights a year. They could simply ‘phone it in’, but that’s not the case. The dedication to every note is apparent. The great Ernie Watts solos have always been packed with an energy that pushes you back in your seat. In front of the US Army Jazz Band, his energetic solos pushed you back and kept you glued through the end of each piece. Another stellar performance was the recently anointed NEA Jazz Master, Sheila Jordan who performed a set with the University of Mass Jazz Orchestra with strings. This was a love fest! For those of us who have been listening to Sheila since the release of her CD, ‘Portrait Of Sheila’, it was nostalgic and heartwarming. For the new kids experiencing this giant of Jazz, it was the passing of the baton, an example of joy and what Jazz can do to you if you embrace it in your life. Sheila is close to 83 years old and swings like she is 19. Her love of Jazz is a part of her being. Congratulations Sheila!

Photo: Sheila Jordan and Randy Klein

Again, the mission statement of JEN is clear. The politics that surrounded the old IAJE are gone and are not allowed in. I am personally thankful for that. The major labels with deep pockets that influenced IAJE are not present, and I hope they stay away. With the mission of education of the form so clear, their presence could possibly stifle the growth of JEN’s mission statement. That doesn’t mean that this was not a ‘schmoozefest’. There was much activity at the bar with business cards flying over the fine Kentucky bourbon. I met old friends and made new ones. We spoke of Jazz. We spoke of this art form which is alive, kicking and moving forward. It is obvious that that we all love it and embrace it. We each came to loving Jazz in different ways, with different influences, but the core of the experience of hearing, playing and teaching about improvisation and the freedom of expression it holds is strong. Even though we have lost audiences due to government cutbacks in the arts, there is a force here that is emerging slowly but with strength. That force is the Jazz Education Network, JEN. Next year the conference is in Atlanta. I would suggest you book early and bring your kids.

Photo: Randy Klein with Distinguished Professor of Wayne State University/conductor/educator Dennis J. Tini, Associate Dean/Chair of Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz Arts Program Justin DiCioccio and drummer/educator Bobby Sanabria

Photo: Pianist/Composer/Educator/Jazzheads President Randy Klein, Associate Dean/Chair of Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz Arts Program Justin DiCioccio with Sigrid Paana and Ruud van Dijk of Amsterdam School of the Arts

Photo: David Baker autographs the book ‘David Baker - A Legacy In Music’ for Randy Klein at David’s 80th Birthday party at the JEN Conference

Photo: Randy Klein holding his JEN Recognition Certificate for outstanding contribution to the field of jazz education

More photos here