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Chris Humphrey; jazz books; Matt Savage; Grace Kelly |
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Written by Alan Chase
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Friday, 20 June 2008 |
The jazz world was stunned by the announcement in early April that the International Association of Jazz Educators, or IAJE, suddenly closed the doors to its Manhattan, Kan., office and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. In a letter to IAJE members dated April 18, president Chuck Owen said, “IAJE as it presently stands will no longer exist.” Speculation has been rampant over what precipitated the organization’s sudden demise. Many point to lack of attendance at the IAJE conference in Toronto this past January—approximately 4,000 attendees showed up, compared to nearly 10,000 at the 2007 conference in New York City. Others point to a variety of issues, including contentions that the organization has lost sight of its core mission: the promotion of jazz education and jazz music as an important and viable part of any school curriculum. The loss of the conference is particularly sad, as it was one of very few events during which music educators, well-known jazz musicians, music industry and media types could come together to talk and celebrate all things jazz. As more information becomes available in coming months, I’ll be providing updates to the situation through this column. Jazz Times magazine has announced that it will publish an investigative article on this development in its next issue. Word in the jazz community is that another publication, Jazz Improv magazine, will shift its recently debuted conference (October 2007) to January to offer an alternative to the departed IAJE conference. Let’s hope it succeeds.
Kennebunk-based singer/pianist/renaissance man Chris Humphrey is launching a new endeavor. Humphrey has formed a 14-piece big band that is available for public performances and private events. The band is drawing on material from the libraries of Count Basie and Buddy Rich, as well as from swing era bands like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and others. Though the Web site is still new, you can get info on the band by visiting its site at www.chrishumphreybigband.com.
The avant-garde side of jazz is the subject of an excellent new book. “A Power Stronger than Itself: The AACM and American Experimental Music,” by George E. Lewis (University of Chicago Press) is a richly detailed and in-depth look at the history of the free jazz movement, focusing on Chicago’s Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. Lewis, a trombonist, composer, historian and member of AACM, takes readers inside the workings of this fascinating organization that yielded such creative artists as pianist Muhal Richard Abrams and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Lewis’ writing is lively, avoiding the trap of sounding too academic and instead creating a story that is compelling in its portrait of musicians dedicated to their art. This is a fine work on an area of jazz that deserves wider recognition and greater understanding.
Another recently released book is “Miles, Ornette, Cecil: Jazz Beyond Jazz,” by Howard Mandel (Routledge Press), a fascinating look at the careers of trumpeter Miles Davis, saxophonist Ornette Coleman and pianist Cecil Taylor and the influence each have had on jazz, primarily the avant-garde, and on each other. Mandel, a former editor for Down Beat, knows his subjects well and provides a nice balance of personal insight and deep research to provide readers with a fresh and objective view of all three musicians. Mandel’s writing engages the reader in the story without relying on an overabundance of technical jargon. The result is a superb book that is informative, reflective and humorous, such as Mandel’s account of his first interview with Ornette and how the saxophonist/composer had a knack for turning things around on the interviewer. This book provides a refreshing new look at the important contributions to jazz made by three iconic figures in the music. Both books can be ordered from RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth.
Finally, last Wednesday, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers announced the recipients of the annual ASCAP Foundation Young Composer Awards. Among the names listed was 15-year-old Matt Savage, of Francestown, N.H., a very gifted pianist and composer who has been exciting audiences with his incisive approach to jazz. What makes Savage’s talent even more remarkable is that he suffers from Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a form of autism. Savage has not allowed his disability to prevent him from pursuing his love of jazz, which has led to appearances on the “Late Show” with David Letterman, classes at the New England Conservatory in Boston and an appearance on Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz” on NPR. I’ve heard recordings of this fine musician, who has a terrific touch on piano and knows how to swing. Congratulations to this extraordinary young musician.
Another ASCAP award winner, 16-year-old saxophonist and vocalist Grace Kelly, from Massachusetts, will bring her fiery talent to The Press Room in Portsmouth on Sunday, June 29, for an evening with the Press Room Trio. With talent like these young people, the future of jazz looks very bright.
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