At the Vail Jazz Workshop, tuning up the next generation of musicians
12 youth from across the nation are taught by jazz stars at Vail Jazz Workshop
Vail Jazz Foundation/Courtesy photo
For 30 years, Labor Day Weekend has been synonymous with Vail Jazz and this year the Vail Jazz Party will be held Friday-Sunday at Manor Vail Lodge in Vail Village, hosting some of the biggest names in jazz. But another important part of the weekend is the work that goes on behind the scenes with the next generation of jazz musicians.
The Vail Jazz Workshop, presented by Discover Vail and Alpine Bank, brings in the best and brightest high school and college freshmen to Vail for an intensive educational program taught by some of jazz’s veterans.
The Vail Jazz Workshop was established in 1996 by the late Howard Stone and bassist John Clayton, and was the first of several education programs formed by the Vail Jazz Foundation. Over the past 29 years, the Vail Jazz Workshop has graduated nearly 350 students, many of whom have gone on to do great things in the music industry.
“We’ve had Grammy award winners, news-making performers, sought-after recording musicians and composers come out of this program. Our alumni make a powerful mark on the emerging world of jazz,” said Clayton, who continues to oversee the Vail Jazz Workshop and mentor each year’s bass-playing students.
The Vail Jazz Foundation, Vail Jazz Party and Vail Jazz Workshop were hit hard by the passing of founder, Howard Stone, who died on Aug. 3, 2022. The Vail Jazz Foundation announced it would close the bulk of its operations in late October 2023, but it was able to keep the Vail Jazz Goes to School program, which brings jazz education to Eagle County school kids, through the 2023-2024 school year and hosted the Vail Jazz Workshop this summer.
Support Local Journalism
On Aug. 24, the Vail Jazz Workshop welcomed the Class of 2024 for a week of intensive study under the tutelage of six jazz masters. The 12 students came from California, Illinois, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Many of these youth started performing as early as age 4 and have garnered top-tier awards from several of the jazz world’s most prestigious student competitions.
Each of these students were selected after a highly competitive application process. As accomplished as these young people are, it is not unusual for a student to arrive in Vail never having traveled by airplane or seeing a mountain before.
“We strive to give our students a unique Vail experience, helping them to build confidence and comradery outside the classroom and rehearsal space,” said Vail Jazz Workshop committee chair, Robin Deighan. Part of that experience involves placing the students with host families, generous Vail residents who provide housing, hearty breakfasts and an even heartier welcome.
“We’re so grateful to members of the Vail Jazz community who open their homes and provide a sense of family for these young people,” Deighan said.
These students have been recognized at contests like the Essentially Ellington Competition and DownBeat Student Music Awards, have been a part of events like the Chicago Jazz Festival and some have even been featured on albums. All students are excited to continue their musical education with programs at The Juilliard School in New York and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
The Vail Jazz Workshop Students will perform along with their instructors John Clayton (bass), Lewis Nash (drums), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Terell Stafford (trumpet), Dick Oatts (saxophone) and Bill Cunliffe (piano) at the 30th Annual Vail Jazz Party. For a complete schedule and ticket information, please visit VailJazz.org or contact Anneliese Swift at 715-551-7517.
