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Vail Jazz Foundation announces scholarship winners

Daily Staff Report
Vail, CO, Colorado

VAIL ” The Vail Jazz Foundation (VJF) announces the 2007 Vail Jazz Workshop Scholarship winners selected from throughout the United States and Canada.

Since 1996, the VJF has been organizing the Vail Jazz Workshop (VJW) in conjunction with the annual Vail Jazz Festival in order to assist in the development of the next generation of jazz musicians. To date, 130 students have participated in the workshop.

Twelve high school musicians have been chosen from a nominee pool of over 200 students to receive scholarships from the VJF and an opportunity to learn from the jazz greats in residence. The all-star faculty teaches and mentors the workshop students and many of the workshop’s young alumni have gone on to win awards, honors and musical scholarships to leading colleges and universities around the country.



John Clayton ” noted jazz educator, bass virtuoso and co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Quintet ” is the director of the workshop. Joining him as instructors are Jeff Clayton, saxes and woodwinds; Terell Stafford, trumpet; Bill Cunliffe, piano; and Lewis Nash, drums.

“The Workshop is a highly structured program that requires tremendous dedication and commitment to hard work,” says Robin Litt, executive director of the Vail Jazz Foundation. “These students focus on jazz theory, group and private lessons and practice in jazz improvisation and ensemble playing throughout their stay in Vail.”

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The teaching philosophy of the workshop stresses learning by ear, as there is no written music. The students also have an opportunity to take advantage of activities around Vail. It is the VJF’s goal that the workshop provides students with the highest level of musical instruction in a unique and enjoyable environment that combines music with the beauty and grandeur of nature. The students are guests of host families in Vail throughout their 10-day visit.

The foundation is seeking host families to participate in this year’s program.

Each year workshop students are featured performers, along with their instructors, at the annual Labor Day Weekend Party. Their attendance at the party not only provides them with multiple performance opportunities but the opportunity to see, hear and interact with the world renowned jazz artists who perform at the party.


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