jazzhouse.org

[dawnsingh]

Jazz Journalists Association Presents
“Boston as a Launching Pad for a Jazz Career”

The Jazz Journalists Association will present “Boston as a Launching Pad for a Jazz Career” on Monday, May 2, 2005, 7-9 pm, at Scullers Jazz Club, 400 Soldier’s Field Road, Boston. Panelists are: Michael Dreese, CEO of Newbury Comics; Rebecca Parris, jazz vocalist; Allan Chase, Dean of Faculty, New England Conservatory; Christian Scott, jazz trumpeter; Frank Poindexter, co-owner of Wally’s Cafe; Phil Wilson, jazz trombonist and professor, Berklee College of Music; and Dayla Arabella Santurri, General Manager and Publicity Director, Scullers Jazz Club. The panel will be moderated by Karen Holmes-Ward, Director of Public Affairs and Community Services and host and executive producer of “City Line”, WCVB TV. The event is free and open to the public.
Panelists will discuss the opportunities available to young musicians in the Boston area and the many aspects of building a jazz career utilizing resources found only in Boston’s unique and diverse jazz atmosphere, from the country’s premiere teaching institutions in jazz studies to a variety of music venues.
Michael Dreese, major contributor to the newly created Michel Camilo Scholarship at Berklee College of Music, is Chief Executive Officer of Newbury Comics, Inc. The Michel Camilo Scholarship will allow a young musician, either Dominican-born or of Dominican descent, the privilege of attending Berklee for four years. A true Boston success story founded in 1978 in the Back Bay, Newbury Comics now operates 26 stores throughout Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine. Mr. Dreese is a Trustee Emeritus of the Berklee College of Music and previously served for 10 years on the Board of the Boston Institute for Arts Therapy.
Rebecca Parris, Boston area jazz vocalist, attended the Boston Conservatory. Originally from Newton, Massachusetts, she has been performing since the age of six. Parris has performed all over the world with her own groups as well as with legends Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and Woody Herman. An artistic performance coach who teaches vocalists of all ages, Ms. Parris helps individuals find personal connection and meaning in song lyrics with her unique approach to jazz vocal education.
Allan Chase is the Dean of Faculty at New England Conservatory, a position he has held since 2001, as well as a steadily working saxophonist who performs in New England, New York City and Europe. From 1981 to 1990, he was a member of the faculty at Berklee College of Music where he taught courses in composition, arranging, improvisation, ear training, harmony, counterpoint, jazz ensembles and jazz history and assisted in the administration of the Harmony Department. From 1996 to 2001, Chase chaired the Jazz Studies and Improvisation departments at NEC.
Frank Poindexter is co-owner of Wally’s Cafe, the self-described training ground for jazz in Boston since 1947. Wally’s has been featuring jam sessions open to Berklee, NEC, Boston Conservatory and other locally based students and performers. Wally’s is a showcase for local talent 365 nights a year. Roy Hargrove, Branford Marsalis and Christian Scott have all honed their jazz chops at Wally’s Cafe.
Christian Scott is a 2004 graduate of the Berklee College of Music, earning a degree in Professional Music. His major influences during his education at Berklee were Dave Santoro and Gary Burton. Scott has performed and toured with his uncle, Berklee grad and former Jazz Messenger, Donald Harrison, and was recently signed to Concord Records completing his debut recording, “Rewind That,” to be released in the fall of 2005.
Phil Wilson, jazz trombonist and one of the most committed professors at Berklee College of Music for the past 40 years, has played an important role in the college’s evolution into the internationally acclaimed institution it is today. Wilson started “The Thursday Night Dues” student band in 1965, his first year at Berklee. As the number of international students grew, the band was later renamed The Rainbow Band to represent the colors of the rainbow. Former members of The Rainbow Band include Roy Hargrove, Greg Osby, John Scofield and Claudio Roditi. Through his teachings in the Berklee Brass Department and leadership of The Rainbow Band, as well as his own working quintet, Wilson continues to champion young talent in the Boston jazz world.
Dayla Arabella Santurri has been General Manager and Publicity Director for Scullers Jazz Club since 2000. During her tenure she has been instrumental in Sculllers’ introduction of major artists such as Norah Jones, Jamie Cullum, Jane Monheit, Michael Buble and Peter Cincotti into the Boston and New England markets. She has also played a vital role in facilitating performances by many up-and-coming Boston based artists such as Hiromi and Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Orchestra. A jazz enthusiast and Boston native, Santurri is navigating Scullers success into the 21st century.
Karen Holmes-Ward is the Director of Public Affairs and Community Services and host and executive producer of “City Line,” Channel 5 WCVB TV’s weekly magazine program which addresses the problems, concerns and accomplishments of people of color living in the Boston area. Ms. Holmes-Ward also oversees WCVB’s public service and community outreach efforts including the station’s work with Habitat for Humanity and with WCVB’s web-based initiative, Commonwealth 5. Ms. Holmes-Ward brings her love of jazz and the city of Boston to her moderator duties.
The Jazz Journalists Association is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization of internationally-based writers, editors, photographers, broadcasters and media specialists who institute collegial and educational programs for the appreciation, documentation and promulgation of jazz. JJA comprises more than 400 members in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, the UK, Japan, Mexico, Moscow, South Africa and South America.
For more information on the JJA Panel presentation, contact Jon Hammond, bmwjonhammond@yahoo.com, 508-337-8959. Scullers Jazz Club is located in the DoubleTree Guest Suites, 400 Soldiers Field Road in Boston. Note: Please do not call Scullers with inquiries regarding this event.

JPEGS available