Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 9:30am-7:00pm
9:30am
Registration (Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium)
10:30-11:45am
Opening Plenary - Jazz on the Cutting Edge: Technology and its Evolving Role in the Arts (The Appel Room) A discussion with musicians, tech innovators and industry professionals about some of the uses of technology in their fields and the future direction of technology in the arts. Moderator: Stefon Harris Panelists: Jose Feliciano (Chamber Music America); Scott Oshiro; Samora Pinderhughes; Cleo Reed
12:45-1:15pm
The 2024 Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award (The Appel Room) will be given to Grammy Award-winning bassist, educator, conductor, producer, arranger and composer John Clayton. His professional career began at age 19 when he worked on a television series produced by composer Henry Mancini. Clayton has been a member of some of the most seminal big bands in jazz history, including the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as notable groups led by Monty Alexander and Diana Krall. The award will be presented to Mr. Clayton by his son, the award-winning pianist Gerald Clayton.
1:15-2:15pm
Jazz Congress Keynote: Bryan Stevenson (The Appel Room) Join us for a keynote address from the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson, followed by a Q&A, moderated by Maurine Knighton, Chief Program Officer at the Doris Duke Foundation.
2:30-3:45pm
Jazz and Criminal Justice: The Transformative Power of Music for Justice-Impacted Lives (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) Music can transform us - changing us through both the act of listening and creating the music itself. Join us for a conversation about programs across the country that are using music as a tool for hope and engagement within incarcerated communities. This panel is curated by Alina Bloomgarden, Music on the Inside, Inc. Moderator: Kenyatta Emmanuel Panelists: Leland Baker (Newport Festivals Foundation); Barbara Bethea (Creative Arts Therapy Program at Rikers Island); Mikell Green Grand (MOTI); Alfred Roberts (Musical Connections, Carnegie Hall)
Jazz in Latin America: Expanding the Conversation on International Touring (E.J. Noble Studio) This panel, developed and moderated by agent, manager, and curator Matt De León, explores the vibrant jazz ecosystem and touring opportunities across Latin America, including South America, Central America, & Mexico. This discussion will focus on the unique dynamics of the Latin American market. Joined by a diverse group of promoters, cultural arts workers, and artists from the region, De León will guide an in-depth conversation on what makes these markets unique, effective touring strategies, challenges, the importance of reciprocity, and the current state of the jazz industry in Latin America. Moderator: Matt De León (Music Works International) Panelists: Melissa Aldana; Natacha Cruz (Circuito Argentino de Jazz); Jordi Funtanet (Director of Festival M Jazz Mexico and Parker & Lenox); Alejandro Orellana (Senior Programming Advisor of M Jazz+ and WOMAD Chile Programming Director); María Claudia Parias Durán (Instituto Distrital de las Artes); Heloisa Pisani (SESC)
From Algorithm to Audience: AI in Jazz Programming (Armstrong Classroom) Can AI support the work of a music programmer? This session presents an overview of Cheltenham Jazz Festival’s interdisciplinary approach to integrating artificial intelligence-based tools into programming and curation. With AI rapidly becoming part of our everyday life, this session will offer a chance for delegates to share their own experiences of using these tools to help with programming, administration and project planning, and how this technology may factor in the future of jazz music and events. Presenter: Andrew Lansley (Cheltenham Jazz Festival)
4:00-5:15pm
Building Bridges: How Jazz at Lincoln Center and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Forged an Interdisciplinary Partnership (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) Separated by more than a thousand miles and very different disciplines, two arts institutions bridged the divide through a shared commitment to American artistry and serving their unique communities. Learn how JALC and CBMAA fused visual art and jazz to educate and uplift local students, record an album, and film a groundbreaking video series featuring performances from Ambrose Akinmusire, Mary Halvorson, Immanuel Wilkins, and more. Panelists: Adam Meeks (JALC); Immanuel Wilkins; Cory Fraiman-Lott; Marissa Reyes (Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art)
Leading Your Own Organization: How to Bring Jazz to Your Community Through Education and Performance (E.J. Noble Studio)
Hear from entrepreneurs and leaders on the joys and challenges of launching, creating and maintaining your own non-profit organization to support and present jazz music and education programming in distinct markets across the United States. This session will provide guidance for those trying to increase the reach for jazz within their own communities. Moderator: Gene Dobbs Bradford (Savannah Music Festival)
Panelists: Mark Rapp (ColaJazz Foundation); Heather Ireland Robinson (Jazz Institute of Chicago); Will Scruggs (Cornerstone Jazz Collective); Gerald Veasley (Jazz Philadelphia)
In Conversation: JoAnne Brackeen and Roger Dickerson (Armstrong Classroom) This year’s winner of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation’s SATCHMO™ Award, JoAnne Brackeen, and the recipient of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award, Roger Dickerson, discuss the importance of music, mentorship and community.
5:45-7:00pm
Concert: Celebrating Russell Malone Guitarist Russell Malone, who passed away at the age of 60 on Aug. 23, 2024, will be honored with a musical tribute to close out the first day of Jazz Congress. The concert will celebrate Malone, who was known for “a distinctive style that was precise and spare but at the same time warm and luscious.” The evening will include performances by Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Diana Krall, Monty Alexander Trio, John Clayton, Benny Green, Christian McBride, Ben Wolfe, Donald Vega, Ed Cherry, Dave Stryker, Yotam Silberstein, Willie Jones III, Tammy McCann, Rick Germanson, Vincent DuPont, Neal Smith, and T.K. Blue.
Thursday, January 9, 2025, 9:30am-7:00pm
9:30am
Registration (Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium)
10:30am-11:45am
Town Hall: Navigating Male-Dominated Spaces (The Appel Room) It is no secret that men have dominated the jazz space since its inception. How do woman, woman-identifying and non binary jazz industry individuals move through these spaces, remain confident, resilient, and create space for more women in the music - both on the bandstand and behind the scenes? Moderator: Karen Kennedy Panelists: Akua Dixon; Terri Lyne Carrington; Endea Owens; Helen Sung
Europe & US: Exchanges in Jazz (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) The panel will explore cultural exchanges in jazz between the USA and Europe by giving the floor to American and European programmers experienced in international exchanges. They will share their insights and best practices in this field. A Q&A session will allow jazz artists and professionals to get informed answers on this topic. Moderator: Erika Elliot (SummerStage, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival) Panelists: Jordana Leigh (Lincoln Center); Maurin Auxéméry (Festival de Jazz de Montréal); Sébastien Vidal (Nice Jazz Fest, Django Reinhardt Fest, Duc des Lombards, TSF Jazz); Reiner Michalke (European Jazz Network member from Monheim Triennale, DE)
Ask us Anything (E.J. Noble Studio) A panel of jazz industry professionals share their knowledge and experience in a free-wheeling Q&A session, in which the audience asks questions about everything from promotion to booking to record production.
Moderator: Sunny Sumter (DC Jazz Festival) Panelists: Ross Eustis (SFJAZZ); Matthew Jurasek (Mack Avenue); Michael Leonhart (Michael Leonhart Music); Lydia Liebman (Lydia Liebman PR); Maria Matias (Maria Matias Music)
12:30-1:45pm
In Conversation: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patrice Rushen and Lakecia Benjamin (The Appel Room) Moderator: Dee Dee Bridgewater Panelists: Patrice Rushen; Lakecia Benjamin
Jukebox Jury (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) The longstanding and popular session returns with jazz music hosts and radio programmers weighing in, needle drop style, on the probability of airplay for upcoming releases. Moderator: Brad Stone (soulandjazz.com) assisted by J Hunter (Jazz2K) Panelists: Kim Berry (KUVO); Kayonne Riley (WUCF); Hobart Taylor (KUCI); Michael Valentine (WDNA)
Making an Impact Through Online Engagement (E.J. Noble Studio) This panel will explore the intersection of branding, strategic partnerships and digital platforms in the jazz world, focusing on how artists and organizations can craft compelling narratives to engage audiences and grow their presence. Moderator: Katie Simon (NPR) Panelists: Etienne Charles; Stella Cole
2:00-3:15pm
Where is the Jazz in Jazz Festivals? (The Appel Room) Jazz presenters from around the world discuss the challenges and rewards of programming of jazz-leaning or jazz-adjacent music at jazz festivals and events. Moderator: Jason Olaine Panelists: Michelle Kuypers (North Sea Jazz Festival); Yunie Mojica (Summerstage - Charlie Parker Festival, Make Jazz Trill Again); Pelin Opcin (London Jazz Festival); Christian McBride (Newport Jazz Festival); Hadley Agrez (Melbourne International Jazz Festival); Janis Burley Wilson (Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival)
From Pops to Dizzy: The Passing of the Torch (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) This panel will provide valuable insights into the lives of Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong, celebrating their legacies while fostering a deeper understanding of their influence on jazz. Selected recordings will be played, showcasing key moments in their music and highlighting their unique approaches to the trumpet. Moderator: Bruce Harris Panelists: Jon Faddis; Hyland Harris; Bria Skonberg; Andromeda Turre
My Year in Jazz: Celebrating Our Community (E.J. Noble Studio) These brief one-on-one conversations, moderated by Keanna Faircloth, provide an opportunity for us to celebrate wonderful milestones in the jazz community in 2024. Let’s rise up and celebrate our own! Moderator: Keanna Faircloth Speakers: Lakecia Benjamin; Summer Camargo; Isaiah Collier; Theo Croker
New Voices in Latin Jazz (Armstrong Classroom) This panel discussion celebrates the rich history of Latin jazz while spotlighting the emerging voices and musicians shaping its future. Panelists: Luques Curtis; Zaccai Curtis; Kalí Rodríguez-Peña
3:45-5:15pm
Roy Haynes: Life of a Legend (The Appel Room) A panel of colleagues and family members will discuss the remarkable life and music of the legendary drummer. Moderator: Terri Lyne Carrington Panelists: Graham Haynes; Marcus Gilmore; Craig Holiday Haynes; Dave Holland; John Patitucci
5:15-7:00pm
Cocktail Party and Celebration (Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium) This evening celebration provides an opportunity for attendees to network and enjoy time together on the closing night of the conference.