Thelonious Monk Institute News

Greetings: As you know, 2012 has been an exciting year at the Institute. From our Peer-to-Peer outreach programs to International Jazz Day, and our educational tour in Russia to the 25th Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, we have continued to promote jazz and its values across America and the world. We could not do this important work without your support, and we sincerely thank you for your belief in our mission. We ask that you please consider making a year-end, tax-deductible contribution to help us fulfill our mission to offer the world's most promising young musicians college level training by internationally acclaimed jazz masters and to present public school-based jazz education programs for young people around the world. From the Thelonious Monk Institute family to yours, all good wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a terrific New Year. Warmest regards,

JAMISON ROSS WINS 2012 THELONIOUS MONK INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DRUMS COMPETITION MARIA FISHER FOUNDER'S AWARDED PRESENTED TO THE HONORABLE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT Herbie Hancock (left) announces Jamison Ross (right) as the winner of the 2012 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition. Justin Brown (middle left) and Colin Stranahan (middle right) were named second and third place winners, respectively. The Honorable Madeleine Albright receives the Maria Fisher Founder's Award during the 2012 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. From left to right: Dame Helen Mirren, Herbie Hancock, Madeleine Albright, Aretha Franklin, Tipper Gore and Chris Botti. The 25th annual Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and "Women, Music and Diplomacy" All-Star Gala Concert came to a close with roaring applause and cheers as Tipper Gore joined first place winner Jamison Ross on drums in a rousing finale featuring Thelonious Monk's classic composition "In Walked Bud."   Presented by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in partnership with Cadillac, this year's Presenting Sponsor, the stellar event featured the finals of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition with performances by first place winner Jamison Ross, 24, from Jacksonville, Florida; Justin Brown, 28, of Richmond, California; and Colin Stranahan, 26, of Denver, Colorado. Brown and Stranahan were named second and third place winners, respectively.  At stake was more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes, including a $25,000 first place scholarship and guaranteed recording contract with Concord Music Group. This year's competition judges included a distinguished panel of drummers: Carl Allen, Brian Blade, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jimmy Cobb, Peter Erskine, and Ben Riley.  "The heartbeat of the bandstand, the drums have been an inspiration to every culture from the genesis of mankind," said Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock.  The evening also featured a star-studded "Women, Music and Diplomacy" Gala honoring former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with the Institute's 2012 Maria Fisher Founder's Award. In accepting the award Secretary Albright said, "Jazz is America's most distinctive form of art, and this Institute is a world treasure.  By sending its Ambassadors abroad, the Institute helps to spread the gospel of Jazz to every corner of the globe."  In the spirit of the evening, Secretary Albright took her place behind the drums and performed a moving rendition of "Nessun Dorma" with Chris Botti and George Duke.  UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova delivered remarks about the successes of the newly established International Jazz Day, celebrated annually on April 30th, and also addressed the role of jazz as a diplomatic force in uniting people around the world. She announced that the 2013 International Jazz Day will be hosted by Istanbul, Turkey.  The Gala highlighted the contributions of women in jazz over the past century. Under the musical direction of George Duke, special musical segments featured a multi-generational group of all-stars performing in tribute to artists including Lena Horne, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald and Mary Lou Williams.  The cast included Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heath, Lee Ritneour, Mark O'Connor, Joe Louis Walker, Patti Austin, Nnenna Freelon, Geri Allen, Jane Ira Bloom, Randy Brecker, James Carter, Vinnie Colaiuta, Claire Daly, Akua Dixon, Roberta Gambarini, James Genus, Ingrid Jensen, Linda Oh, Gretchen Parlato and Ada Rovatti. A show-stopping version of "My Funny Valentine" was performed by Aretha Franklin, who could only top that with an electrifying "Respect" in honor of Madeleine Albright. The evening's hosts included Tipper Gore, Herbie Hancock, Helen Mirren, Thelonious Monk, Jr. and Billy Dee Williams.   Through the competition and its numerous educational programs, the Thelonious Monk Institute is committed to identifying and training the world's leading young jazz musicians who will preserve the traditions of jazz while expanding the music in new directions.   SECOND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY TO BE CELEBRATED IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY Preparations are underway for the 2013 International Jazz Day celebrations. Herbie Hancock -- appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2011 -- and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova initiated this annual celebration to encourage and highlight intercultural dialogue and understanding through America's greatest musical contribution to the world. Stay tuned for further announcements beginning in January 2013. INSTITUTE OF JAZZ PERFORMANCE UNDERWAY AT UCLA The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance welcomed seven talented students, known as Thelonious Monk Fellows, to UCLA in September, and it has been an exciting first few months. Through this groundbreaking partnership with the Institute, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is offering its first graduate degrees in jazz.   The Institute has appointed multiple GRAMMY Award winners and NEA Jazz Masters Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter as distinguished professors. This marks the first time these two artists have made such a major contribution to an educational institution, and the current class of students is the first to learn from them on a regular basis.   Hancock and Shorter are teaching the Monk Fellows each month throughout the academic year. They are sharing musical philosophies and knowledge learned from their years of playing with the architects of jazz including Miles Davis and Art Blakey. Hancock and Shorter are focusing on composition, improvisation and artistic expression, working with the Monk Fellows individually and as a group. Additionally, they are leading master classes open to all UCLA students. Shorter has already taught for eight days and participated in a public performance with the Monk Fellows, and Hancock has taught for three days. On December 7, Hancock and Shorter joined forces to conduct an historic joint master class at UCLA. NEA Jazz Masters Ron Carter and Jimmy Heath have also conducted residencies, which included open master classes for capacity audiences. Improvisation educator Hal Crook presented an open rehearsal on October 18, in which he led the Thelonious Monk Fellows through a series of exercises designed to develop their improvisational approach. And composer and pianist Billy Childs has been in residence, working with the Monk Institute students on composition. Wayne Shorter (right) leads a class for the Institute of Jazz Performance students. Artists-in-Residence that will be visiting the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA in the coming year include Stefon Harris, Nicholas Payton, and Lewis Nash. Additionally, Dick Oatts and Jerry Bergonzi will serve as improvisation educators, helping the students navigate the many styles and musical environments of jazz. As with past classes, the Institute of Jazz Performance program includes outreach into high schools and middle schools. The Monk Fellows already have presented educational performances at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Ramon C. Cortines High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, and Manual Arts High School. On October 21, the Monk Fellows performed with Shorter at the LA Jazz Society Awards Dinner at Shorter's request.  Shorter also presented an open listening session to an enthusiastic capacity audience at UCLA on November 16. The Monk Institute students have been participating in a variety of UCLA music activities. Trombonist Eric Miller has been playing with Kenny Burrell's Ellingtonia Orchestra, drummer Jonathan Pinson performed at the recital of trombone instructor Jim Miller, and trumpet player Mike Cottone has been rehearsing in preparation for a performance with Professor Neal Stulberg's UCLA Philharmonia performance at Olvera Street. The class of 2014 includes Mike Cottone (trumpet), Joshua Johnson (alto saxophone), Eric Miller (trombone), Jonathan Pinson (drums), Dave Robaire (bass), Miro Sprague (piano) and Diego Urbano (vibes).   SUPPORT THE INSTITUTE WITH YOUR YEAR-END CONTRIBUTION As 2012 draws to a close, we ask that you please consider making a year-end contribution to the Institute. In order to reach as many young people as possible, the Institute offers all of its education programs at no cost to participants. Tax-deductible contributions allow the Institute to continue offering programs free of charge to tens of thousands of people each year.  Please support our programs by making a contribution today. Donate Now! Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz 202.364.7272