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Jazz On CampusTerrell StaffordMary Jo PapichSchool NotesKURT GELLERSTEDNew International Jazz Education GroupStarts From Scratch in MidwestIn the three years since the InternationalAssociation of Jazz Educators imploded, musicians,students and schools have wondered whatwill replace it. A small group in the Midwest istrying to fill that gap with its first conferencethis May.The Jazz Education Network (JEN) will runits first annual conference May 20–22 at theUniversity of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL). Likethe predecessor organization, JEN has as itsmission statement to “build the jazz arts communityby advancing education, promoting performanceand developing new audiences.” Anumber of prominent musicians and educatorshave already signed on to take part, includingJohn and Gerald Clayton, Victor Goines, RufusReid, Terrell Stafford, Ruben Alvarez andBobby Shew. Performances will take place atUMSL’s Touhill Performing Arts Center.Information about the conference is available onthe organization’s Web site, jazzednet.org.At a board meeting in Columbus, Ohio, lastAugust, the fledgling group had initially plannedon a 2011 launch.“We were about planning long-term, postponinguntil next year, when [bassist and UMSLjazz studies director] Jim Widner jumped up andput in a call to his chancellor at UMSL, whocame up with this date,” said board directorMary Jo Papich.Papich, who had been president-elect ofIAJE but resigned when many officers wereheld up to scrutiny, has regrouped and insiststhat the new organization will avoid its predecessorsmissteps.“We want to build a new group with moretransparency and openness, to regain the credibilityand respect of musicians and educatorsworldwide,” said Papich, who serves as fine artschair at Niles School District 219, which is outsideChicago. “We’re founded in the spirit ofcollaboration, creativity and commitment. OurJEN board of directors has educators, businessmen,professional musicians, producers, industryvets. Since we have no staff, it’s a workingboard—committed to the core. They pay theirown costs to attend meetings and conferences.”Stafford, a board member, added, “It’simportant that we maintain a forum to shareideas and concepts, for students to observe eachother, and for all of us to recharge our batteries.”Stafford will be on a panel for students toperform for college auditions and will performwith John Clayton’s group. He drily observed,“With all those hungry and healthy players outthere, sparks can fly.”Groups from at least 10 states will attend,including the Milton Academy (Mass.) studentall-stars under Bob Sinicrope’s direction.“JEN offers me a chance to network, learnand share ideas with others who care about jazzand jazz education,” Sinicrope said. “I’m veryexcited that JEN’s first conference has a firstratelineup of clinics and performers. I look forwardto hearing about new concepts in teachingand being inspired by top-notch performances.”Along with the conference, JEN intends tolaunch inclusive Web sites, along with othernew initiatives. One is the “JENerosity Project,”designed to donated used instruments to needyschools in New Orleans. Sponsors includeAlfred Music, Symphony Publishing and sucheducational institutions as Columbia CollegeChicago.“Membership is picking up steam,” Papichsaid. “We’re just two years old and we’veattracted members in 44 states and 14 countries.Still, Papich is also clear about an immediatechallenge that she faces with the first JENconference.“We know May is not ideal, at the end of theschool year,” Papich said. “But we’re grateful togo with it, and we’ll return to the traditionalJanuary break for 2011.” —Fred BouchardOberlin Honor: David Stull, dean of theOberlin Conservatory of Music, acceptedthe National Medal of Arts on behalf of hisschool from President Barack Obama atthe White House on Feb. 25.Details: oberlin.eduDouglass Tribute: The University ofRochester in New York celebrates the lifeof abolitionist Frederick Douglass on anew disc, A Sky With More Stars. The university’svice president, Paul Burgett,recites from Douglass’ writings along withaccompaniment from jazz bassist TyroneBrown and violinist John Blake.Details: rochester.eduMingus Winners: The Rio AmericanCombo from the Rio Americano HighSchool in Sacramento, Calif., underMaxwell Kiesner’s direction, won theMingus Spirit Award at the CharlesMingus High School Competition. Theevent was held on Feb. 13 at New York’sManhattan School of Music. Other winnersincluded The Rivers Big Band of TheRivers School in Weston, Mass., in thebest big band (regular high school) category,under the direction of PhilippeCrettien. Details: msmnyc.eduColorado Debut: Students at the ColoradoConservatory for the Jazz Arts’ first summerprogram have released a CD of theircompositions, Fourteen Channels(Tapestry). The 16 students involved in theproject are between the ages of 16 and 24.Details: jazzarts.orgSax Winner: Danny Janklow, a junior atTemple University, won first place at theNorth American Saxophone Alliance jazzcompetition, which was held on March 6at the University of Georgia in Athens.The prize, which Vandoren sponsored,includes a $1,500 award.Details: saxalliance.org118 DOWNBEAT May 2010