Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 9:30am-7:00pm

9:30am
Registration (Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium)

10:30am-12:00pm
Opening Plenary

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.

2:30-3:45pm
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

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

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) Moderator: Panelists: Chloe Jury-Fogel, Adam Meeks

Leading Your Own Organization: How to Bring Jazz to Your Community Through Education and Performance (E.J. Noble Studio)
Moderator: Gene Dobbs Bradford (Savannah Music Festival)
Panelists: Mark Rapp (ColaJazz Foundation), Will Scruggs (Cornerstone Jazz Collective), Gerald Veasley (Jazz Philadelphia)

In Conversation: Roger Dickerson (Armstrong Classroom) This year’s winner of the Louis Armstrong Education Foundation’s Satchmo Award discusses the importance of mentorship and his life in music. Dickerson is a 90-year-old New Orleans pianist, composer and educator.

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) Moderator: Brandee Younger Panelists: Akua Dixon, Terri Lyne Carrington

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); Michael Leonhart (Michael Leonhart Music); 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)

2:00-3:15pm
Where is the Jazz in Jazz Festivals? (The Appel Room) 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)

3:45-5:15pm
One Hundred Years of Roy Haynes (The Appel Room)

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.