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!
WBGO celebrates the music of Juilliard Jazz Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Ensemble Wednesday (4/2) through Sunday (4/6).
Juilliard Jazz Orchestra
During the 2024-25 season, the Grammy-nominated Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, directed by Wynton Marsalis, performed nine concerts and Juilliard Jazz Ensembles gave at least 17 performances, while students put on solo recitals and performed around the city.
Program Title: Jazz Inspired by Visual Art and Architecture
Date: 09/21/2024
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Piece: “Oak Park Overture” from The Usonian Suite by Andy Farber
Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, guest conductor Ted Nash
Program Title: Jazz Inspired by Visual Art and Architecture
Date: 09/21/2024
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Piece: “Toadstools and Typewriters” from The Usonian Suite by Andy Farber
Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, guest conductor Ted Nash
Juilliard Jazz Orchestra members:
Alto Saxophone:
Kelvin Walters, Lead
Sophia Kickhofel
Tenor Saxophone:
Nicklas Caldwell, Lead
Gustavo Cruz
Baritone Saxophone:
Langston Hughes II
Trumpet:
Miles Keingstein, Lead
Ace Williams
Mejedi Owusu
Nathaniel Williford
Trombone:
Nick Mesler, Lead
Andre Perlman
Grace Rock
Voice:
Kate Kortum
Guitar:
Edwin Corne
Vibraphone:
Lazlo Torok
Piano:
William Schwartzman
Bass:
Guillermo Lopez
Drums:
Jesse Parker
About Jazz Ensembles at Juilliard
Each of Juilliard Jazz’s small ensembles is named after a jazz legend. This does not mean the named ensemble will solely perform the works of that artist, but invoking these names reminds us, and our audience, of our music’s great history and its interconnectedness. In addition, ensemble coaches will incorporate important aspects of each artist’s work into their ensemble teaching throughout the year.
Duke Ellington Ensemble
The Juilliard Jazz Duke Ellington Ensemble consists of the most experienced performance students in the program and is led by jazz double bassist/composer, Ben Wolfe. Named after Duke Ellington, the iconic jazz composer, pianist and bandleader, the ensemble’s artistic premise is to embrace jazz as an ensemble music, valuing group interaction and individuality as catalysts for creation in the spirit of community. The ensemble sound is informed by the jazz continuum and its own members’ contemporary influences and original compositions.
Program Title: Bebop Composers: Dameron, Hope, and Powell
Date: 10/29/2024
Location: Paul Hall
Piece: “If You Could See Me Now" by Tadd Dameron
Duke Ellington Ensemble, coach Ben Wolfe
Program Title: Bebop Composers: Dameron, Hope, and Powell
Date: 10/29/2024
Location: Paul Hall
Piece: "Our Delight" by Tadd Dameron
Duke Ellington Ensemble, coach Ben Wolfe
Duke Ellington Ensemble members:
Ensemble Coach:
Ben Wolfe
Alto Saxophone:
Patrick Hill
Piano:
Dabin Ryu
Guitar:
Derek Duleba
Bass:
Guillermo Lopez
Drums:
Jerome Gillespie
LISTEN WEDNESDAY (4/2) THROUGH SUNDAY 4/6)) for the music created by the students of the Juiliard Jazz Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Ensemble.