Geri Allen Master Class at Trinity - A Multilevel Community Event

Left to right: James Buentello, Shea Adams, Marco Escobedo, Stephen Bennett

Geri Allen gave a wonderful master class at Trinity University on Saturday, February 18, as part of her residency with Musical Bridges Across the World. The free event was a collaboration between Trinity's KRTU, Musical Bridges, and the Alamo Colleges Jazz Mentorship Program.

Local students and performers were invited to bring their instruments. Elementary school students participated along with local professionals and, of course, our own Alamo Allstars quintet. Allen found a way for everyone to share with each other, whether performing a single-note drone, simple rhythmic pattern, familiar tune, or jazz standard. The afternoon was magical. Everyone left feeling excited and eager to play.

On Sunday, Feb 19, Geri Allen and her trio presented a concert at San Antonio College.  She recorded a radio interview with Bradley Kayser for his Jitterbug Waltz Hour show (Tuesdays 8-9 PM) on KRTU 91.7 FM.  During the interview, she spoke of her influences and spun records by some of her musical mentors.  The radio show is available online until 8 PM CST on Tuesday, February 29. Well worth listening to...

The next Alamo Allstars event on the calendar is a master class with Dr. Armin Marmolejo at Palo Alto College. Stay tuned...

Where's Geri Allen? Back row, fourth from the left...

Pianist Mark Ligon joins the program

We are pleased to welcome Mark Ligon into the Alamo Colleges Jazz Mentorship program as a new member of the 2012 Alamo Allstars quintet. Congratulations, Mark! Our newest member, he is a pianist and hails from Northwest Vista College. We're sorry to see Rene Pintor leave the program, and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Join the Alamo Colleges Jazz Mentorship program Facebook community for breaking news and lots of other helpful information. Stay tuned...

50th Annual Fiesta Jazz Festival - Alamo Allstars to Perform

The Alamo Colleges Jazz Mentorship program's Allstars quintet has been invited to perform at the 50th annual Fiesta Jazz Band Festival, hosted by St. Mary's Unviversity. Event details are below. Congratulations, Alamo Allstars!

 

50TH ANNUAL ST MARY'S FIESTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

April 28, 8:00am-5:00pm

St. Mary’s University

The 50th annual Fiesta Jazz Band Festival is San Antonio’s oldest educational jazz festival, attracting junior and senior high-school jazz ensembles from Texas and other states. Participants perform for criticism before a panel of renowned jazz clinicians. Trophies and awards are given for outstanding performances in various categories.

A special clinic by this year’s Fiesta Jazz Artist will be featured at midday. Past clinicians have included Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Lee, Wayne Bergeron, Curtis Wilson, Rick Lawn and Bob Moses. Come enjoy tomorrow’s future jazz artists performing for the final day of the Fiesta Jazz Festival.

Free admission. Call the Music Department at (210) 436-3421 for more information.

Location:
St. Mary's University
One Camino Santa Maria

IASJ Announces 2012 Grand Prize Winner

Left to right: Loueke, Rene Pintor, Marco Escobedo, Stephen Bennett, James Buentello (2/4/12)

 

Hot off the presses! We've just heard from the International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) that bassist Stephen Bennett (Northwest Vista College) has been invited to the 2012 meeting of the IASJ, to be held in Graz, Austria June 23-29, 2012.  Congratulations, Stephen!

Our "Alamo Allstars," the Alamo Colleges Jazz Mentorship program's combo of finalists had a wonderful master class with Lionel Loueke at The Carver a few weeks ago, and are looking forward to another this weekend, with Geri Allen at Trinity. Hope to see you there...

Join the Alamo Colleges Jazz Mentorship program Facebook community for breaking news and lots of other helpful information. Stay tuned...

Master Class with Lionel Loueke at The Carver a Success

The 2012 Alamo Colleges Jazz Mentorship Program is in full swing. The Alamo Allstars just had their first big mentoring experience, a master class with West African guitarist Lionel Loueke at The Carver Community Cultural Center on Saturday, Feb 4 was spectacular. An entire session one-on-one with one of the brightest stars in contemporary jazz. What an exhilirating afternoon. Many thanks to Yonnie Blanchette, Executive Director of The Carver, and to Lionel Loueke for making this happen for our students! 

And kudos to our Alamo Allstars for taking the initiative to prepare themselves for the Loueke master class and upcoming events with a stellar crew of visiting artists and local mentors.  San Antonio should be proud of  them all: Marco Antonio Escobedo - guitar (San Antonio College), James Buentello - drums (Northwest Vista College), Shea Adams - voice (Northwest Vista College), Rene Pintor - trombone (San Antonio College), and Stephen Bennett - bass (Northwest Vista College. 

The Allstars are working hard on the IASJ Top 10 tunes to know in jazz and are gearing up for the next workshop, with Geri Allen at Trinity University on Saturday, Feb 18 at 4 PM.

See you there...