YouthJazz.us

GUEST TEACHING ARTIST: Mr. Morgan Faw (visiting KC from NYC)
2025-04-13 14:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
We’re pleased to announce that a longtime friend of the Youth Jazz program and Kansas City native, Morgan Faw will be returning to visit us on April 13. Mr. Faw will be spending time with each ensemble, observing rehearsals, and adding to the discourse. Let’s welcome him home!

PHOTO: Some of the 2019 Fellows with the 3 Clinicians from Berklee College of Music
_
BIOGRAPHY
Saxophonist, Bandleader, Composer, and Arranger Morgan Faw has grown up living around the United States, but grew up as a musician in Kansas City, MO.

The Musical Native has spent years establishing himself as an upcoming artist and bandleader since his early teens. By the age of 15, Morgan had moved in pursuance of playing professionally and playing in multiple community bands across the Kansas City jazz scene. He was also hired as a marketing intern for the American Jazz Museum located in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District of Kansas City where he had multiple opportunities to connect with and perform opening acts for jazz legends and heroes such as: Kevin Mahogany, Kim Waters, The Bad Plus + Joshua Redman, Ida McBeth, Benny Green, The McFadden Brothers, Ravi Coltrane, and many others over the next year and a half. It was his work with the Jazz Museum and his music studies that caught the eye of saxophonist Bobby Watson. He soon began teaching Morgan just shy of his 17th birthday.
Morgan was recently named 2022 Artist In Residence for the annual “Spotlight: Charlie Parker Celebration” Festival in Kansas City and has performed all across the KC area. He has been a leader, performing locally, and nationally in cities such as New Orleans, Harlem NYC, the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, Wally’s Jazz Cafe (Boston, MA), The Blue Room, The Met (Philly), as well as the D.C Jazz Festival in 2019 with Ralph Peterson. Morgan has also performed with nationally recognized singer-songwriter, Darius Rucker.
​PHOTO: Faw performing live with jazz great Bobby Watson (2017)
When Morgan is not performing, he has spent his time working with local non-profit organizations designed to enrich the Kansas City jazz scene for current and younger audiences. Between 2017 and 2018, Morgan worked to help inspire a new generation of musicians through community work and spoken word events within the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District/Community. At the American Jazz Museum, he played a role in the creation (an in participation) of their youth jazz program, officially known as the Kansas City Jazz Academy. Faw is a member of the Advisory Council Board for The Burnett Music Foundation, a Kansas City area-based Jazz Non-Profit Organization.

PHOTO: Morgan Faw and The Flame: {Left To Right} – Miles Lennox (piano), Christian Napoleon (drums), Morgan Faw, Isaac Coyle (bass), and Alonzo Demetrius (trumpet) (2022 Spotlight Charlie Parker Celebration Festival)
Morgan received a Full Scholarship to attend The Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Within his first year, he had the honor and privilege to perform, write for, and record an album with the late great drummer Ralph Peterson Jr. and his Generation Next Bigband, a band made up entirely of the best musicians at Berklee. Their album “LISTEN UP!” Including his arrangement of the Hoagy Carmichael classic, ”Skylark” is available on all streaming services. The band has performed at venues such as Dizzy’s Club in NYC as well as Scullers Jazz Club, and The DC Jazz Festival.

PHOTO: Faw with The Generation Next Big Band, led by the late legendary multi-instrumentalist, Ralph Peterson, at the 2019 DC Jazz Festival
Now Brooklyn, NY based. Morgan focuses on adding to his community and spends his time being a leader as well as a supporting artist; playing with great artists such as Mimi Jones, Charenee Wade, Chris Beck, and Johnny O’Neal to name a few. Morgan leads his quintet, “The Flame” and hopes that this collective of musicians will push the boundaries of improvised music as well bear the torch of their mentors and those that have left them their legacy to protect…
SOURCE: https://www.morganfawmusic.com/

MASTER CLASS: DR. DAN THOMAS
2025-04-13 15:30 - 16:00 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
2025 YOUTH JAZZ MASTER CLASS SERIES: $20 / Free to Youth Jazz Fellows

BIOGRAPHY

Performer, composer, arranger, educator, and arts administrator Dan Thomas has received countless performance awards, has performed, recorded, and presented with some of the most influential jazz artists and pedagogues in nearly every state in the continental US, Canada, and abroad. Thomas emigrated from his native Canada to the United States in 1993.
Thomas is a prolific composer of more than 100 original compositions in a wide variety of formats. His recordings (of original works) City Scope, Musical Sanctuary and Voyage continue to receive critical acclaim internationally, and acknowledgement on the airplay charts. His quintet recording featuring Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy and Voyage is available for immediate release.
Thomas is an in-demand performer, guest artist, and lecturer throughout the world. He has spoken on a plethora of topics ranging from performance practices, music history, music and social justice, to music business. He has performed countless times as guest artist at all levels, as well as made many appearances as guest conductor. In addition to Thomas’ work with his small groups, his pedigree and leadership skills are on display as he currently serves as the Artistic and Executive director of the Kansas City All Star Big Band which is comprised of the regions most celebrated jazz artists. Along with an elite group of high caliber international musicians, Thomas is signed to the Performing Artist and Educator rosters with both Yamaha and Vandoren.
Thomas currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies and lead faculty member for the department of music at Ottawa University and previously served at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as the co-chair of the Jazz Studies Program with Bobby Watson. Thomas was the chief architect of a new model for jazz education which garnered national attention for the program.
Thomas has conducted by invitation at the Jazz Education Network convention, the Missouri Music Educator’s Association’s Annual In-Service Workshop/Conference. Thomas’ contributions to education have been recognized with inductions into Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (3 times) as well as being awarded the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Excellence in Teaching Award (2017), given to one Conservatory faculty member, and twice recognized by the Missouri Music Educators Association. Thomas’ achievement as an educator have led to considerable programmatic growth, student academic achievement and increases in annual giving.
Thomas’ students perform throughout the globe and teach at the highest levels. Students have been recognized in numerous jazz competitions and received many awards, notably in Downbeat, by Thelonious Monk, MTNA, Yamaha, ITG, Nafme, Music for All, Grammy, Bard Summer Jazz Academy (JALCO), the National Youth Orchestra and the Vandoren jazz saxophone competition, among other. His students have appeared many times at the Kennedy Center’s Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program, Jazz Port Townsend workshops, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Educators Network. Former student and assistant professor of saxophone at the University of Memphis says, “Dan, in addition to being a killer player, is a dedicated pedagogue who breaks down and demystifies the nuts and bolts of improvisation in a way that no other teacher I encountered in my collegiate study could.”
In addition to his long University tenure, Thomas has held appointments as the Executive Director and CEO of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, has taught in Washington, Missouri, and Kansas public schools, and at Kansas City’s Penn Valley Community College and Rockhurst University. He presents master classes, workshops, and performs at high school and university jazz festivals as a featured guest artist around the world.
Thomas holds performing artist/educator endorsements with Yamaha, Vandoren, Locoparasaxo, WeWOOD and Roo Pads.
CLINIC SUPPORT RECOGNITION
In addition to our Youth Jazz Clinician Honorarium, Dr. Thomas’s appearance is made possible with financial support from his following endorsement sponsors:

Youth Jazz Students Concert Ticket Discount: Celebrating 90 Years of the Count Basie Band
2025-04-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Kansas City Music Hall, 301 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO, 64105, United States
Celebrating 90 Years of the Count Basie Band

Wed • Apr 30, 2025 • 7:00 PM

Important Event Info: Kids 2 & under admitted FREE with full price paid admission, but must sit on lap.

Music Hall Kansas City
301 West 13th St. , Kansas City, MO
See All Events at Music Hall Kansas City

YOUTH JAZZ STUDENT DISCOUNT TICKETS

Contact Mr. B for the discount code.

MASTER CLASS: DR. CARL ALLEN
2025-05-04 15:30 - 16:00 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
2025 YOUTH JAZZ MASTER CLASS SERIES: $20 / Free to Youth Jazz Fellows

BIOGRAPHY

“My ultimate goal is to get to level like Art Blakey, Art Taylor, Elvin Jones, and Billy Higgins … who every time they sit down behind a set of drums it’s swinging….”
With over 200 recordings to his credit, the gifted Milwaukee-born, New York-based drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur, and educator, Carl Allen’s profound and propulsive percolations provided soulful and syncopated support for nearly three decades.
Born on April 25, 1961, Allen grew up on gospel, R&B, and funk, but later turned to jazz after hearing an LP by the legendary saxophonist Benny Carter. He studied with drum instructor Roy Sneider and band director Robert Siemele. His first hometown gigs were with sax greats Sonny Stitt and James Moody. Allen studied at The University of Wisconsin at Green Bay from 1979 to 1981, and transferred to William Patterson College in New Jersey, where he graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies and Performance.
Allen joined trumpeter Freddie Hubbard a year before his graduation, served as his Musical Director for eight years, and recorded several recordings with the trumpeter including Double Take and Life Flight. Allen also played with Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Jennifer Holliday, J.J. Johnson, Rickie Lee Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Lena Horne, Ruth Brown, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Mike Stern, Nellie McKay, Terence Blanchard, Phil Woods, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Henderson, Billy Childs and many others. Allen’s phenomenal sideman discography also includes Jackie McLean (Dynasty), Donald Harrison (Indian Blues, Noveau Swing), Donald Byrd (A City Called Heaven), and Art Farmer (The Company I Keep).

“Carl Allen is an international powerhouse. His sound and feeings have fuled the bands of Freddie Hubbard, Christian McBride and countless others as well leading his own projects. “– Joe Lovano

Piccadilly Square (Timeless) was Allen’s first CD as leader, released in 1989, followed by The Dark Side of Dewey (Evidence), The Pursuer (Atlantic), Testimonial (Atlantic), and Get Ready, his 2007 Mack Avenue gospel/Motown accented debut release with co-leader, bassist Rodney Whitaker followed up by Work to Do (Mack Avenue Records) featuring Kirk Whalum.
Education has always been part of my mission Allen says. Art Blakey taught me the importance of nurturing the next generation of musicians. “Every generation needs someone to help them get to the next level and this what I am hoping to do”. In May of 2012 Allen received an honorary doctorate from Snow College in Ephraim, Utah in Humane Letters.
Allen is also an accomplished businessman. He co-founded Big Apple Productions in 1988 with saxophonist Vincent Herring, produced several recordings for several Japanese labels with future stars Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton. Several years ago he created Nella Productions which produces projects and developed an education component to the company called The New York Jazz Symposium where he runs workshops around the world on jazz. Allen has also produced recordings for pianist Eric Reed, Dewey Redman. Pharoah Sanders, Freddie Hubbard, Kris Bowers and guitarist Lage Lund, the winner of the 2005 Thelonious Monk International Monk Competition and many others totaling nearly 70 credits as a producer.
Carl Allen’s multifaceted career provides the perfect template for what a modern musician should be. As Sid Gribetz of Jazz Times wrote, “more than just another fine drummer, Carl Allen has it all together as a bandleader, businessman, and producer, becoming a force in today’s jazz world.”
Allen maintains an exhaustive schedule of recording, touring and teaching. He remains active as a sideman with Christian McBride and Inside Straight, Benny Golson and others. As a leader most recently leading The Carl Allen Quartet as well as The Art of Elvin, a tribute band dedicated to his two drum influences, Art Blakey and Elvin Jones was started after the passing of Elvin Jones in 2004.
EDUCATOR PROFILE (UMKC)

Dr. Carl Allen is the William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies at the UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, MO.
Carl grew up on gospel, R&B, and funk, music but later turned to jazz after hearing a recording by the legendary saxophonist Benny Carter. His first hometown gigs were with sax greats Sonny Stitt and James Moody, and he joined trumpeter Freddie Hubbard a year before his graduation, served as his Musical Director for eight years and recorded several recordings with the trumpeter including Double Take and Life Flight. Allen also played with Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Jennifer Holliday, J.J. Johnson, Rickie Lee Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Lena Horne, Ruth Brown, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Mike Stern, Nellie McKay, Terence Blanchard, Phil Woods, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Henderson, Billy Childs and many others. Allen’s sideman discography also includes Jackie McLean (Dynasty), Donald Harrison (Indian Blues, Noveau Swing), Donald Byrd (A City Called Heaven), and Art Farmer (The Company I Keep).
With more than 225 recordings to his credit, the Milwaukee-born, New York-based drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur, and educator, Carl Allen’s profound and propulsive percolations provided soulful and syncopated support for more than three decades.
Allen attended the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and William Paterson College, graduating with a BM in Music in Jazz Studies and Performance.
In May 2012 Allen received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. In May 2014, he completed a 6-year tenure serving as the Artistic Director of Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School in New York City.

Carl embodies the personal characteristics of a true leader and visionary. The testament to this is manifest in his every performance as a world class musician…– PAT METHENY

MASTER CLASS: PROFESSOR MATT OTTO
2025-05-11 15:30 - 16:00 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
2025 YOUTH JAZZ MASTER CLASS SERIES: $20 / Free to Youth Jazz Fellows

Matt Otto is currently the Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Kansas University (KU) teaching Jazz Theory and Performance, Jazz Combo 1 and private lessons. Matt was also an Adjunct Professor at the Rutgers New Brunswick teaching online courses in jazz improvisation, theory and performance.
Matt Otto studied music performance and composition at Indiana University, Berklee School of Music, New School Jazz (BFA) and California Institute of the Arts(MFA) during which time he studied under Lee Konitz, George Garzone, Billy Pierce, Charlie Haden, Don Hawkins and many others. Having lived in Japan for 5 years, New York City for 7 years and Los Angels for 6 years, he has performed with a variety of artists including Anthony Wilson, Larry Koonse, Rashid Bakr, Ben Monder, Willie Jones III, Alan Ferber, Mark Ferber, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Gregory Hutchinson, Jonathan Kreisberg, Joe La Barbera, Leroy Vinegar, Bob Bowman, Jimmy Smith, Paul Jackson, Ari Honig, Ben Street, Mike Moreno, Sara Gazarek, Josh Nelson, Peter Schlamb, Danny Weiss, Roger Wilder, William Parker, Matt Wilson, Steve Cardenas, Bobby Watson, Bob Weir, Deborah Brown, Larry Goldings, Eric Harland, Sheryl Bailey, Darek Oles, Erik McPherson, John Stowell, Danny Embrey, Alan Pasqua, and many others.
While in Los Angeles, Matt co-founded of the Los Angeles Jazz Collective. The mission of the collective (LAJC) is to help create opportunities for creative jazz composers and performers to showcase original artistic work and to set up an ongoing Jazz outreach program for young jazz musicians in and around Los Angeles.
Matt currently performs his original compositions with his Kansas City based sextet with members Gerald Dunn on alto saxophone, Jeff Harshbarger on acoustic and electric bass, Shay Estes (vocals), TJ Martley on Piano/Keys, Mike Warren on drums, as well as traveling several times per year to NYC and LA to perform and record with various jazz artists.
Matt has recorded and performed with the Grammy nominated Anthony Wilson Nonet (The Power of Nine, Groove Note 1035, 2006), The Rashid Bakr Quintet, has performed in Los Angeles with the Grammy Nominated Alan Ferber Big Band as well as having recorded on over 50 CD’s as both a leader and a side man. See below for a discography of noteworthy recordings.
Matt says the following about his Eastman tenor. “The Eastman 52nd Street Tenor is one of the best modern saxophones I’ve ever played. The horn has a big dark sound which projects well, is easy to play, has great ergonomics, and looks great! Since I started playing it I’ve gotten many positive comments from both players and audience members regarding its sound.”
EDUCATOR PROFILE (KANSAS)
M.F.A. California Institute of the Arts; B.A. The New School
Assistant Director in Jazz Studies, directs Jazz Combo I, teaches jazz Theory and Performance, private lessons in jazz saxophone and improvisation. Saxophonist Matt Otto studied music performance and composition at Indiana University, Berklee School of Music, The New School for Social Research (BFA) and California Institute of the Arts (MFA) during which time he studied under Lee Konitz, George Garzone, Billy Pierce, Don Hawkins, Charlie Haden and many others. Having lived in Japan for five years, New York City for seven years and Los Angeles for six years, he has performed with a variety of artists including Anthony Wilson, Larry Koonse, Rashid Bakr, Ben Monder, Willie Jones III, Alan Ferber, Mark Ferber, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Gregory Hutchinson, Joe La Barbera, Leroy Vinegar, Jimmy Smith, Ari Hoenig, Ben Street, Mike Moreno, Jonathan Kreisberg, Danny Weiss, Steve Cardenas, Larry Goldings, Eric Harland, Sheryl Bailey, Darek Oles, Erik McPherson, John Stowell, and many others. He currently performs his original compositions with his Kansas City-based quartet. Matt Otto has recorded with the Grammy Nominated Anthony Wilson Nonet, the Rashid Bakr Quintet, the Joeless Shoe trio, and the 3-ish trio and over 10 CDs recorded as a leader on Origin, Noir and Jazz Collective Records. He has also appeared on more than 50 CD projects as a side man.
Any student considering pursuing any degree at KU can email me for a free Skype Lesson (ottojazz@gmail.com).
During this lesson we can talk about your goals as an artist, performer, composer or hobbyist and how I might be able to help you reach those goals. We can also discuss KU’s amazing music program and what it can offer you while you get a degree in whatever field interests you.

COMMISSION WORKSHOP By Professor Bobby Watson
2025-06-01 14:00 - 15:30 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: RENOWNED BMI COMPOSER, BOBBY WATSON COMMISSIONED TO WRITE A SPECIAL MUSICAL WORK FOR YOUTH JAZZ PROGRAM
Date: January 14, 2025
Kansas City USA – International saxophone artist, BMI composer, and jazz educator, Professor Bobby Watson, has been commissioned to compose a special piece for performance and recording by the Watson Ensemble of the Kansas City Area Youth Jazz program this season.
Professor Watson will personally workshop the special musical work on June 8, 2025 during the Watson Ensemble programmed weekly rehearsal.
Appointed as the William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Distinguished Professorship in Jazz Studies at UMKC in 2000, Bobby Watson led that program over the next two decades. He also maintains a connection to the jazz education sphere through affiliations with the progressive spring-and-summer-only program, Kansas City Area Youth Jazz, now in its 7th successful season; AND the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
Professor Watson’s Master Classes and Clinics always include direct performance interaction with students and teachers; handouts of clinic materials; and impromptu question/answer sessions.
This composition commission was co-sponsored by gifts to Kansas City Area Youth Jazz, Inc. from the families of Dr. Doris Wright Carroll and Mr. Gregory Carroll; and, Mrs. Terri Anderson Burnett and Mr. Christopher Burnett.
More information about the program can be found at our official website https://YouthJazz.us
_____
Press Contact:
Director, Youth Jazz (913) 250-5141

WEEK 17.1 RECORDING SESSION #1: 2025 FELLOWS ALBUM
2025-07-27 14:00 - 20:00 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
Week 17.1

SUNDAY JULY 27: RECORDING SESSIONS2:00 pm: Alaadeen Ens;4:30 pm: Crain record

Location:BRC Audio Productions1933 N Tenth St.Kansas City, KS 66104

+ + + + +

SUNDAY JULY 27: JOINT REHEARSAL6:30-8:30: Watson Ens + Brady Ens Rehearsal(Brady ens arrive at 7:45 pm.)

Location:Carroll Home Studio10615 N Garfield AveKCMO 64155Social reception following!!

WEEK 17.2 RECORDING SESSION #2 WATSON & BRADY ENSEMBLES: 2025 FELLOWS ALBUM
2025-08-01 12:30 - 19:30 | KS
Remaining Dates:

Week 17.2

FRIDAY AUGUST 1 – RECORDING SESSION #2 WATSON ENS + BRADY ENS

12:30 pm: Watson Ens call time for 2:00 pm: Watson Ens Recording;

4:30 pm: Watson + Brady Ens record Sailing.

Location:BRC Audio Productions1933 N Tenth St.Kansas City, KS 66104

WEEK 17.3 RECORDING SESSION #3: 2025 FELLOWS ALBUM
2025-08-03 02:00 - 17:00 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
Week 17.3

SUNDAY AUGUST 3: BRADY ENSEMBLE

2:00 pm: Brady Ens Recording w/ Greg (piano/ grand); Truman (bass), Maurice (BRC drums)

Location:BRC Audio Productions1933 N Tenth St.Kansas City, KS 66104

The Jazz Ensemble Directors Reading Band
2025-08-16 14:00 - 17:00 | American Jazz Museum, 1616 E 18th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, United States

KC BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL
2025-10-04 16:30 - 17:30 | KC MONARCHS LEGENDS FIELD, 1800 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, Kansas, 66111, United States
GIG DETAILS: The Kansas City Area Youth Jazz program is pleased to announce an Alumni Fellows performance at the KC BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL at the KC Monarchs Legends Field on Saturday, October 4, 2025 AT 4:30 PM.

Kansas City Area Youth Jazz KCAYJ Alumni 5tetHouston Smith KCAYJ Clinician, Ensemble Leader, and Drum set.

Eric Kaplan, Guest Clinician, Organ

Henry Fears, Trombone2022 Fellow

Kenyi Yoyo, Alto Saxophone2025 Fellow

George Hagan, Guitar2025 Fellow

2025 Lineup Features:

Stanley Clarke – Grammy-winning bass legend

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – Jazz-funk brilliance

Bill Frisell – Master of genre-bending guitar

Shemekia Copeland – Soulful, modern blues royalty

Roosevelt Collier – Slide guitar fire

Rell Davenport, Jackie Myers, Brody Buster – KC’s own keeping the flame alive

Join us at Legends Field for a weekend that honors the past, celebrates the now, and carries the Kansas City Sound into the future. From after-hours jams to all-star sets, this isn’t just a festival — it’s KC’s rhythm reborn.

🎟️ Tickets at Maxfunent.com

PHOTO: Youth Jazz Fellows performing at the 2025 Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival

INVITATION: UMKC Jam Session
2025-10-17 16:00 - 18:00 | KS

The Tommy Ruskin Memorial Fund for Jazz Education "JAZZ FUTURES"
2026-03-12 19:30 - 20:45 | VOO LOUNGE, 1214 Baltimore, Kansas City, Missouri, 64105, United States
KANSAS CITY AREA YOUTH JAZZ SELECTED FOR AWARD!

One of our Kansas City Area Youth Jazz featured clinicians, Greg Carroll, will lead an Alumni Ensemble in performance for The Tommy Ruskin Memorial Fund for Jazz Education supporting “Jazz Futures” sponsored by the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors!

YOUTH JAZZ ALUMNI ENSEMBLE with Special Guest Clinician: ERIC KAPLAN, NORD B3

Kansas City Area Youth Jazz guest clinician, Eric Kaplan, a next generation rising star in his own right, will join our Alumni Ensemble in performance for The Tommy Ruskin Memorial Fund for Jazz Education supporting “Jazz Futures” sponsored by the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors!

YOUTH JAZZ Alumni Ensemble PERSONNEL FOR MARCH 12

TITLE: 2023 Fellows (ARC-3459)

JACKSON HARRISON, TENOR SAXOPHONE

TITLE: 2025 Fellows (ARC-0906)

AMBER QUINT, ELECTRIC BASS + VOICE

TITLE: 2023 Fellows (ARC-3459)

HENRY SCAMURRA, ALTO SAXOPHONE

TITLE: 2025 Fellows (ARC-0906)

KAMDEN MARTIN,DRUM SET

ABOUT THE TOMMY RUSKIN MEMORIAL FUND FOR JAZZ EDUCATION JAZZ FUTURES

The Tommy Ruskin Memorial Fund for Jazz Education is named for the beloved Kansas City jazz master who mentored and inspired countless performers who continue his great legacy today. This fund supports “Jazz Futures”, a program consisting of quarterly live performances throughout the school year where jazz studies programs from area colleges bring their best combos to local nightclubs to show off their talent. The Jazz Ambassadors then give a significant donation to each institution’s jazz program.

The event will be held in VOO, 1214 Baltimore, KCMOand the website is www.vookansascity.com

Parking is available in the Marriott Downtown garage.

Unload any musical equipment in the valet zone at 2214 Baltimore, then drive to the Marriott entrance, between Central and Wyandotte, on 12th street and bell staff will direct you to the garage for free parking.
