YouthJazz.us

ALTERNATE AUDITION DATE
2024-02-25 15:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
2024 SEASON FELLOWSHIP MATRIX

We conduct rigorous auditions for Fellowships in February and announce the selections in Marchk each year.
Rehearsals are on Sunday evenings during our season of April, May, June, and July with no rehearsals on Labor Day or Fourth of July weekends.
Youth Jazz Fellows perform a Showcase Concert in July and also may additionally perform during paid performances in the greater KC area community.
Commitment to attend all rehearsals, recording sessions, and performances is required.
The season culminates in recording an album in a professional recording studio that’s subsequently released worldwide on a professional record label.
Fellowships are merit-based applied Jazz studies scholarships. There is no participation fee or tuition for the next generation artists who pass the audition and are accepted.

2024 SEASON FELLOWSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
THE KANSAS CITY AREA YOUTH JAZZ AUDITION 🎵
We ask prospective fellows to prepare:

(1) a Jazz standard with improvisation,
(2) Improvise over the F blues form, and
(3) Play all 12 major scales in 60 seconds.
(4) We conduct a personal interview that requires a commitment to attending all rehearsals, concerts, and recording sessions.
Drum Set candidates must demonstrate the ability to play all styles and grooves common to Jazz music.

Auditions for a Youth Jazz Fellowship are purposely rigorous musically to fill the limited number of individual ensemble positions with qualified artists.

We accept the best qualified candidates who audition for fellowships each season. And, if you are interested in participating in the Kansas City Area Youth Jazz program but need to further refine and develop competencies and skills in the above audition areas, don’t let that stop you from trying – we encourage all developing next generation artists to practice and also study with a qualified applied jazz music teacher privately.
We also recommend participating in the other great independent KC-based private jazz developmental programs like: Kansas City Jazz Academy, 5 Star Jazz Band, etc.
Thanks for your interest in Youth Jazz.

TECHNICAL NOTE: We use the iRealPro app for backing Horn Players, Pianists, Bassists, and Drummers.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2024 AT BRC AUDIO PRODUCTIONSAUDITION TIME / CANDIDATE NAME + INSTRUMENT

3:00 PM /

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4:15 PM /

4:30 PM /

4:45 PM /

5:00 PM /

5:15 PM /

5:30 PM /

5:45 PM /

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6:15 PM /

6:30 PM /

6:45 PM /

Use the WEBSITE MENU to learn more about the copyrighted Kansas City Area Youth Jazz program model 🔗 https://YOUTHJAZZ.US

UMKC JAZZ BRASS DAY
2024-02-24 08:00 - 17:00 | James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, United States

2024 SEASON FELLOWSHIPS
2024-02-18 15:00 - 18:30 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
2024 SEASON FELLOWSHIP MATRIX

We conduct rigorous auditions for Fellowships in February and announce the selections in Marchk each year.
Rehearsals are on Sunday evenings during our season of April, May, June, and July with no rehearsals on Labor Day or Fourth of July weekends.
Youth Jazz Fellows perform a Showcase Concert in July and also may additionally perform during paid performances in the greater KC area community.
Commitment to attend all rehearsals, recording sessions, and performances is required.
The season culminates in recording an album in a professional recording studio that’s subsequently released worldwide on a professional record label.
Fellowships are merit-based applied Jazz studies scholarships. There is no participation fee or tuition for the next generation artists who pass the audition and are accepted.

2024 SEASON FELLOWSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
THE KANSAS CITY AREA YOUTH JAZZ AUDITION 🎵
We ask prospective fellows to prepare:

(1) a Jazz standard with improvisation,
(2) Improvise over the F blues form, and
(3) Play all 12 major scales in 60 seconds.
(4) We conduct a personal interview that requires a commitment to attending all rehearsals, concerts, and recording sessions.
Drum Set candidates must demonstrate the ability to play all styles and grooves common to Jazz music.

Auditions for a Youth Jazz Fellowship are purposely rigorous musically to fill the limited number of individual ensemble positions with qualified artists.

We accept the best qualified candidates who audition for fellowships each season. And, if you are interested in participating in the Kansas City Area Youth Jazz program but need to further refine and develop competencies and skills in the above audition areas, don’t let that stop you from trying – we encourage all developing next generation artists to practice and also study with a qualified applied jazz music teacher privately.
We also recommend participating in the other great independent KC-based private jazz developmental programs like: Kansas City Jazz Academy, 5 Star Jazz Band, etc.
Thanks for your interest in Youth Jazz.

TECHNICAL NOTE: We use the iRealPro app for backing Horn Players, Pianists, Bassists, and Drummers.

Use the WEBSITE MENU to learn more about the copyrighted Kansas City Area Youth Jazz program model 🔗 https://YOUTHJAZZ.US

2023 FELLOWS ALBUM RELEASE
2024-02-09 | ARC – Artists Recording Collective
Visit the ARC RECORD LABEL

Listen at YOUTUBE; SPOTIFY; APPLE MUSIC and other retailers worldwide.
ALBUM NOTES
2022 FELLOWS ALBUM NOTESDownload

Digital Download and Streaming Formats Only

2022 FELLOWS ALBUM RELEASE
2024-02-09 | ARC – Artists Recording Collective

2021 FELLOWS ALBUM RELEASE
2024-02-09 | ARC – Artists Recording Collective
Visit the ARC RECORD LABEL

Listen at YOUTUBE; SPOTIFY; APPLE MUSIC and other retailers worldwide.
ALBUM NOTES
2021 FELLOWS ALBUM NOTESDownload

Digital Download and Streaming Formats Only

“Bird” Tribute Performance by Tia Fuller with KC Jazz All-Stars and Strings!
2023-08-26 18:00 - 21:00 | The Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St., Kansas City, MO, 64105
“Bird” Tribute Performance by Tia Fuller with KC Jazz All-Stars and Strings!

Youth Jazz Alumni Duo: Michael Suriano, guitar; Truman Mathena, bass
Venue is The Folly Theater
Set up by 6:15 pm
Perform in either the lower lobby or upstairs at 6:45 – 7:45
Watch concert
Perform following concert in the lower lobby as folks are leaving

Private Reception for Metz France Jazz Students
2023-08-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Buttonwood Gallery, 3013 Main Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
Private Reception for Metz France Jazz Students

Youth Jazz Alumni Ensemble will perform music at a private reception welcoming student jazz musicians from the Metz Conservatory of Music in France who are here in Kansas City to participate in some of the annual Spotlight Charlie Parker celebration events.
Youth Jazz Alumni Ensemble: Call time 4:30 pm.

Miles Clemons, piano
Truman Mathena, bass
Blue Noyes, drums
Brady Johnstone, alto saxophone

Opening Panel Session “Women in Jazz, Charlie Parker’s Influence”
2023-08-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Downtown KC Public Library in Helzberg Auditorium, 14 10th St, Kansas City, MO, 64105, United States
Spotlight: Charlie Parker (Vivid Vision) Opening Panel Session “Women in Jazz, Charlie Parker’s Influence”
Kansas City Jazz ALIVE is proud to present 2023 Spotlight: Charlie Parker – shining a bright light on the musical genius of Kansas City’s own Charlie “Yardbird” Parker!

Join KC Jazz ALIVE for the kickoff of the tenth celebration of Kansas City’s own Charlie”Yardbird” Parker. This Opening Panel discussion features panelists Deborah Brown, Carolyn Glenn Brewer and Tia Fuller, and will be moderated by Lisa Hittle, for a conversation about Women in Jazz: Charlie Parker’s influence.

Youth Jazz Alumni Quartet: MICHAEL SURIANO (guitar), TRUMAN MATHENA (bass), BLUE NOYES (drums), NIC WEAVER (Trumpet/ Flugelhorn).
Women In Jazz Panel at KC Public Library.
Set up by 5:30
Perform 5:40-6:10
Watch panel
Perform one piece during panel
Perform at conclusion of panel 7:30-8:00
August 22, 2023 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

HELZBERG AUDITORIUM
Central Library: Fifth floor
14 West 10th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105

Bird Boot Camp an official Spotlight: Charlie Parker event
2023-08-19 10:00 - 15:00 | The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, 4747 Flora, Kansas City, MO, 64110, United States
Grammy nominee and Berklee College of Music Professor, saxophonist TIA FULLER is 2023 Artist-In-Residence 🎶

S:CP STARTS AUGUST 19 with Bird Boot Camp featuring Artist In Resident Tia Fuller, clinicians Dr. Mike Parkinson, Greg Carroll, Professor Clarence Smith, Houston Smith, WM Thornton, visitors from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional – Eurométropole de Metz (France), and it’s from 10 am to 3 pm ending with the musical tribute at the Charlie Parker Monument in Kansas City.
*
It is free admission. Bring your horn.
SAVE THE DATE ‼️More details to come …
Greetings Alumni Fellows:
Youth Jazz Alumni rhythm section trio that will support the Greg Carroll clinic at Bird Boot Camp on August 19, 2023 (1:00-1:46 pm).
ALUMNI TRIO IS:
Parker Woolworth, piano
Truman Mathena, bass
Blue Noyes, drums
Greg will further coordinate with you regarding the specifics of your call time, duties, etc in support of him.
Thanks again, Mr. B
_____
Artistic Director, Bird Boot Camp
Founder, Youth Jazz

Private Event Community Performance KCAYJ ALUMNI TRIO
2023-08-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Harrah’s Hotel Kansas City, 1 Riverboat Drive, North Kansas City, MO, 64116, United States
Trio + Clinician

Miles Clemons, piano
Isaac Pieters, bass
Javier Cruz, drums
Mr. Houston Smith (Youth Jazz)

Youth Jazz Wrap/ Bird Ramp Bash!
2023-08-06 16:00 - 20:00 | Missouri
Youth Jazz Wrap/ Bird Ramp Bash!

Sunday, August 6, 2023
4-8 PM

Where? “Ranch de” Carroll
10615 N Garfield Ave, Kansas City, MO 6415

Hosted by Doris & Greg Carroll
816.588.4804

*
Message from the Host:

Congratulations on a GREAT 2023 Season! NOW, come celebrate your success & the start of Spotlight Charlie Parker!

🔗 punchbowl.com

2023 FELLOWS Album Recording Sessions
2023-07-25 14:00 - 21:00 | BRC Audio Productions, 1933 N 10th Street, Kansas City, KS, 66104, United States
2023 FELLOWS Album Recording Sessions:
Rehearsals culminate in the 2023 FELLOWS album recording sessions on July 25, 2023. (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC)

KCAYJ RECORDING SESSIONS
Artist: Kansas City Area Youth Jazz
Title: “2023 FELLOWS” (ARC)
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The Brady Vocal Ensemble is going to be the first ensemble to record beginning at 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Tuesday, July 25th.
*
The Crain Ensemble will record next from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm.
*
The Watson Ensemble is last from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
*
I would like to have the following information from each ensemble to provide to Will Crain at BRC Audio Productions and the ARC label for licensing and distribution purposes:
1. The titles of each selection to be recorded along with composers, arrangers, and publishers. And have a courtesy copy of your scores for the album producer/ engineer.
2. The specific instrumentation of each ensemble to include musician names and their respective instruments, vocal parts.
3. Identify the names and instruments, vocal parts of each soloist for each title recorded.
4. Call times for your ensembles should be at minimum 30 minutes prior to your scheduled session.
5. I want the vocal medley and a minimum of 3 selections from the two instrumental ensembles.
6. I know that The Watson Ensemble has more than 3 charts you’ve been working and that’s why you are the last session. However I don’t want you to go beyond your allotted two hours so I would prefer that you plan on recording only 3 charts rather than prolong past 9:00 pm. The good thing is that The Crain Ensemble should be able to finish in less than two hours.
7. When I get the above technical details I will create a session sheet for Will Crain and BRC.
Thanks for a great season, everybody!
_____
Christopher Burnett
Founder and Artistic Director
Kansas City Area Youth Jazz Inc.
🔗 YOUTHJAZZ.US
*
Cofounder and Label Operations
Artists Recording Collective (ARC
🔗 ArtistsRecordingCollective.biz

Program Notes:
Ensemble Clinicians will provide musical selections for study and preparation. Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and recording sessions. Excused absences must be approved by ensemble clinicians.

Recording Sessions:
William T. Crain, owner, engineer, and proprietor of BRC Audio Productions and program director of The Institute of Audio Engineering Arts, records and produces all of Kansas City Area Youth Jazz albums.
Mr. Crain and his staff manage all logistics regarding the conduct of recording sessions for the program.

Weekly Ensembles Rehearsal
2023-07-23 15:00 - 18:30, 2023-07-16 15:00 - 18:30, 2023-07-09 15:00 - 18:30, 2023-06-25 15:00 - 18:30, 2023-06-18 15:00 - 18:30, 2023-06-11 15:00 - 18:30, 2023-06-04 15:00 - 18:30, 2023-05-28 15:30 - 18:30 and 3 more dates | Kansas City Area Youth Jazz, United States
Weekly Ensembles Rehearsal:
Rehearsals are in preparation for the 2023 FELLOWS album recording sessions on July 30, 2023.
The time commitment for each ensemble is 90-minutes each week on Sundays.
Ensembles rehearsal times and locations are as follows:

Brady/ Smith Ensemble – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts
Watson Ensemble – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at BRC Audio Productions
Crain Ensemble – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at BRC Audio Productions

Program Notes:
Ensemble Clinicians will provide musical selections for study and preparation. Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and recording sessions. Excused absences must be approved by ensemble clinicians.

2023 Youth Jazz Summer Showcase
2023-07-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Music Theater Heritage at Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd, Suite 301, Kansas City, MO, 64108, United States
BUY TICKETS 🎟️
The 2023 SUMMER SHOWCASE features many of our top young jazz musicians performing on Saturday, July 15 in the Ruby Room of Music Theater Heritage at Crown Center in Kansas City. Emcee will introduce each performance. A great concert showcase event of jazz music.
“We hope that this opportunity will encourage everyone involved,” says Christopher Burnett, Founder and Artistic Director of Kansas City Area Youth Jazz. “It’s not only a unique artistic and music industry educational experience for our youngest generation in jazz, but also an opportunity for the programs to further network as well.”
More than 50 next generation jazz artists representing four of our top private jazz education programs based in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area will each play concert sets in a collective concert forum that is an artistic gathering among peers.
Greg Carroll of Midnight Blue Jazz LLC, an ensemble clinician who is also the development counsel for YOUTHJAZZ.US said “Aside from the fantastic networking and shared artistic experiences, this Kansas City Youth Jazz Showcase offers audiences, donors, and corporate sponsors the opportunity to hear and support these tremendous student musicians and the work of their organizations!”
Participating organizations include 5 Star Jazz Band, Live Jazz KC High School All-Star Big Band, and Kansas City Area Youth Jazz.
BUY TICKETS 🎟️
Don’t miss this event! These young artists represent some of our area’s best of their generation in jazz. Event proceeds support all of the participating programs.

CLICK OR SCAN QR CODE FOR TICKETS
BUY TICKETS 🎟️

(JAZZ COMMUNITY SPECIAL EVENT) "Jazz As a Societal Voice: Keepers of the Flame"
2023-07-14 12:00 - 13:30 | Westport Coffee House, 4010 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64111, United States
Jazz As a Societal Voice: Keepers of the Flame
Panel discussion: “Jazz as a Societal Voice: A Three-Part VividVision Panel Series

By KC Jazz ALIVE

Since its emergence, so-called “Jazz” music is an inherently important part of the fabric of United States culture. Jazz history parallels and affects nearly every aspect of societal life in our country ranging from fashion and style, important social movements, to all forms of progressive music that continue to develop into the 21st Century. The music is learned by more experienced musicians passing along the traditions to newer players. This mentorship includes cultural and community tutelage beyond the bandstand and into the fabric developments that affect the Jazz infrastructure of each scene.
In places, the Voice is the human’s physical apparatus used to tell the history and speak to future desires and needs of one’s culture. It is in this context that Kansas City Jazz ALIVE will explore how jazz voices in Kansas City are used to pass down traditions, provide lessons, nurture and shape the next generation to sustain the artistry of the music into perpetuity.
Session two KEEPERS OF THE FLAME will explore lessons learned and unlearned with respect to capturing the spirit of the music in practice and in life. Panelists will share about their platforms used in their work with artists of other generations, and how their work builds upon the traditions, produces performances, and maintains the presentation and preservation of the music today.
Join us at 12:00 pm on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the Westport Coffee House for this exciting panel discussion. Panelists include Lonnie McFadden (Artist + Entrepreneur, Lonnie’s Reno Club); David Basse (Artist + Entrepreneur, Radio Host); Jackie Myers (Artist + Entrepreneur, Jackie Meyer Music); Emily Behrmann (Ret. Arts Executive, KC Jazz ALIVE Board Treasurer) The session is moderated by Steve Kraske (Radio Host, Up-To-Date, KCUR 89.3 FM).
Bring your thoughts and questions with you! We are planning for an interactive and engaging discussion.
Your ticket includes attendance and lunch. Please email kcjazz@kcjazzalive.org with any dietary restrictions.

*2023 Kansas City Area Youth Jazz Fellows contact Mr. B for a special program code that gives a ticket discount – note that you will still have to buy your own lunch*

NO REHEARSAL HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEK
2023-07-02 | Kansas City Area Youth Jazz, United States

2023 UMKC Jazz Camp
2023-06-20 - 2023-06-24 | UMKC Jazz Department, 5227 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, United States
DESCRIPTION

The UMKC Jazz Camp brings world class musicians and jazz educators to Kansas City to work with talented young instrumentalists grades 6-12 (’22-’23 school year). Jazz Camp director Carl Allen and distinguished clinicians provide insight and inspiration to student ensembles in a welcoming environment. Participants form lasting friendships as they delve deep into an intensive week of studying jazz music. Daily masterclasses with Jazz Camp faculty, theory and improvisation classes, listening sessions, and faculty performances provide a well-rounded experience that touches on all aspects of jazz performance and history. Jazz Camp participants improve technical and improvisational skills, and aural acuity while studying the standards of the past and new, innovative literature. All instruments are welcome. The UMKC Jazz Camp concludes with a public performance by the student ensembles and a faculty performance.

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Kansas City Area Youth Jazz, Inc. highly recommends the UMKC Jazz Camp.

Weekly Ensembles Rehearsal
2023-04-30 15:00 - 18:30 | Kansas City Area Youth Jazz, United States
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY EVENT
Weekly Ensembles Rehearsal:
Rehearsals are in preparation for the 2023 FELLOWS album recording sessions on July 30, 2023.
The time commitment for each ensemble is 90-minutes each week on Sundays.
Ensembles rehearsal times and locations are as follows:

Brady/ Smith Ensemble – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts
Watson Ensemble – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at BRC Audio Productions
Crain Ensemble – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at BRC Audio Productions

Program Notes:
Ensemble Clinicians will provide musical selections for study and preparation. Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and recording sessions. Excused absences must be approved by ensemble clinicians.

Atchison Jazz Express
2023-04-30 15:00 - 17:00 | Atchison Event Center, 710 S 9th Street, Atchison, KS, 66002, United States
Christopher Burnett, founder and artistic director of Kansas City Area Youth Jazz Inc. has been invited to join the Atchison Jazz Express (AJE) as Guest Artist at their annual Spring Scholarship Concert.

All proceeds of Mr. Burnett’s guest artist fees are donated to the YouthJazz.us program. Christopher Burnett is a Conn-Selmer, Inc. saxophone artist and clinician. He plays Selmer Paris saxophones exclusively. He has presented clinics at both MMEA and KMEA and is a member of the Mid-America Arts Alliance and Kansas Touring Artist Rosters.
