2016 Duke Madison Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Jacob O’Donnell Receives 2016 Duke Madison Memorial Scholarship
presented by The Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc.

 

Dave McWhorter, President of The Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc. and Board Member/JAO Liaison, Brenda Stratman, presented recent Henry Clay High School graduate Jacob O’Donnell with the 2016 Annual Duke Madison Scholarship. The scholarship will cover Jacob’s tuition and lodging while he attends Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshop one week this July on the University of Louisville campus. Jacob plays the tenor saxophone as well as a few other instruments. He plays with the Central KY Youth Orchestra Jazz Arts Orchestra (CKYO JAO) and his own funk band, Coleslaw, as well as with other music groups. Jacob will be attending the University of Kentucky as a music education major next fall.

Here is Jacob’s report on his experience at the workshop:
“After returning from the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp, I was motivated more than ever to be a musician. There were so many fantastic staff members who encouraged learning on all levels. Theory classes helped explain more complex harmonic ideas that I was later able to apply in combo rehearsals. Jamey’s masterclasses were both entertaining and informative. His philosophies on music and education were both interesting to me as a future music educator.

I also think I learned as much from the students I was around as from the staff. The friends I made while at the camp are ones that will last forever. Playing with them at the late night jam sessions was one of the most fun parts of the camp for me.

Each night the concerts blew me away. Not only are the staff great teachers, they all can play. The icing on the cake was seeing Chris Potter, Dave Liebman, and Carl Allen. Chris Potter’s performance of “In a Sentimental Mood” was transcendental. There was a solid ten seconds of silence between his last note and the audience’s applause; everyone was in awe. Both his and Liebman’s masterclasses have given me a lot to think about when going to practice, or just simply play, my horn. I had an overall amazing time at the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp, and I am planning to return.  I am very grateful to the Jazz Arts Foundation for giving me this amazing opportunity.”