April is Jazz Appreciation Month!
As in past years, WBGO celebrated JAM by honoring the higher institutions and the next generation of Jazz musicians. Every week during the month of April, we will be spotlighting the music of various schools from both the New York and New Jersey area as well as from farther afield!
We kick it off today (the final day of March) with CalArts, based in Los Angeles, CA.
The jazz program at CalArts in Los Angeles was founded in 1983 by Department Director David Roitstein and Charlie Haden. Roitstein has also taught at the department for 42 years. In 1990 they produced their first annual album of original compositions by CalArts music students, recorded at Capitol Records in Hollywood. Capitol's head at the time loved the idea of supporting CalArts in a way that truly boosted the students' experience and careers in a significant and lasting way.
Musicians such as Ravi Coltrane, Ralph Alessi, Willie Jones III and Peter Epstein had their first studio experience with the CalArts Jazz CD.
While their 33rd annual album recording is underway, CalArts submitted two recordings from the 2024 album project, recorded last April.
Last year's project was recorded at Evergreen Studios in Burbank as Capitol has been closed for 2 years for remodeling.
LISTEN MONDAY (3/31) AND TUESDAY (4/1)) for the music created by the students of CalArts (also linked below)
1- "Mean Ether"
composed by Jason Hayashi
Jason Hayashi (tenor sax)
Thomas Blumberg (guitar)
Jade Dacumos (piano)
Adam Hernandez (bass)
Nicolas Gachot (drums)
2- "Siren Song"
composed by Julianne Sillona, Hanna Vicera, and Thomas Blumberg
Julianne Sillona (voice)
Hanna Vicera (flute)
Thomas Blumberg (guitar)
produced by David Roitstein
engineered and mixed by Jeff Fitzpatrick at Evergreen Recording Studios, Burbank
mastered by Peter Doell at 21st Century Audio