2008 Annual Duke Madison Memorial Scholarship Recipient Named
The Jazz Arts Foundation is pleased to announce this years recipient of the Duke Madison Memorial Scholarship. Eighteen year old Cooper Harbert has been selected to attend the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshop in July. A Junior at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester Kentucky, Cooper was chosen by CKYO JAO Conductor, Professor Mark Clodfelter, and Maestro Bill Briggs, Director of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras. The two explained Cooper has shown marked improvement in drumset performance during this season.
Cooper has been a member of the Jazz Arts Orchestra for two years. He is currently studying under Ben Davis at the Drum Center, and teaches drums at a downtown music store in Winchester, KY.
Cooper has garnered awards at various talent shows and music festivals. According to Cooper, "I am grateful for the opportunity to play in the Jazz Arts Orchestra, it gives me the opportunity to become a better player”. When Cooper returns from the jazz camp, he will let us know his impressions of working with jazz professionals at the University of Louisville.
Photo and press release by Dr. Bob De Mattina
The 2008 Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra - Jazz Arts Orchestra with Director, Mark Clodfelter
Photo by Dr. Bob De Mattina
JAF Youth Ensemble Now CKYO Jazz Arts Orchestra
The Jazz Arts Foundation Youth Ensemble (JAFYE), will now be presented by CKYO,
will feature the area’s best young jazz/big band musicians.
Effective December 12, 2007, the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras (CKYO), a local arts organization providing advanced training and performance opportunities to over 300 young musicians in Lexington and Central Kentucky, has adopted the former Jazz Arts Foundation Youth Ensemble, and thus will add big-band jazz to its highly successful program of full orchestra and string ensembles for young musicians. The Jazz Arts Foundation will continue to serve in an advisory role. Please click HERE to view the press release.
The new CKYO Jazz Arts Orchestra will be comprised of the typical big-band jazz ensemble instrumentation: alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, trombones, trumpets – and a full rhythm section featuring drums, bass, guitar and piano.
Auditions for the group were held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008. Weekly rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, from 7-9 PM.
For a roster of JAO members and more information, see www.ckyo.org, or call the CKYO Office at 859-254-0796.
2007 Youth Ensemble with Director, Larry Nelson at Jan. rehearsal
Photo by Dr. Bob De Mattina
The 2007 Jazz Arts Foundation Youth Ensemble (JAFYE) is a group of 21 student musicians representing 7 Kentucky High School schools (with an annual operating budget of $4,000). The students are dedicated to performing jazz compositions from historically notable artists, arrangers and composers. Now in its twelfth season, the group has established itself as one of the premier high school community ensembles. The band has participated in jazz festivals at Eastern Kentucky University, the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky; performed concerts with Harry Pickens, Marion Hayden, Ed Calle and Vince DiMartino while featuring the music of Les McCann, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and others. The ensemble has been featured at the Kentucky Music Educators Convention, The Miss Kentucky Pageant, the Big Band & Jazz in the Park series at Ecton Park, the Lexington Parks and Recreation's Travelin' Jazz & Blues series, and the UK Big Band Spectacular, as well as numerous public and private performances throughout central Kentucky.
Auditions for the Ensemble are normally held in early November, performances usually begin in January, and they culminate their season each year at the annual Lexington downtown July 4th festivities.
2007
Click HERE for photos of the 2007 YE rehearsing on January 16.
Click HERE for photos of the YE at Ecton Park on May 22.
Click HERE for photos of the YE at the 2007 Downtown Lexington July 4th Festival
Click HERE for photo, bio, and personal experience of Phil Duff, the 2007 Duke Madison Scholarship recipient to the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop.
2006
Click HERE for photos of the YE performing during the 2006 Downtown Lexington July 4th festivities.
Click HERE to see the YE performing at the Spring Big Band Showcase May 26, 2006.
Click HERE to see the YE playing at Ecton Park May 23, 2006.
Click HERE to see the YE playing at the May 13, 2006 Monthly Salute to past Director, John Richardson.
Click HERE to see the YE playing at the 2006 Eastern Kentucky University Jazz Festival
Click HERE to see 2006 YE February rehearsal photos.
2005
Click HERE to see more 2005 YE photos at various venues.
Click HERE to see fabulous photos of the Youth Ensemble taken May 27, 2005 at the BIG BAND SHOWCASE.
2007 JAZZ ARTS FOUNDATION YOUTH ENSEMBLE (JAFYE) MEMBERS
