The Jazz Education Network is an organization that holds an annual conference for students and educators to get a better understanding of Jazz.
Loyola attends the conference frequently, but for some students, their history with JEN goes back before college. Junior trumpet player and jazz studies major Stuart Adams remembers attending several in high school.
Adams was one of the Jazz Studies students featured on Great Day Louisiana to promote Loyola’s performance at the conference.
The band played “Black and Tan Fantasy” by Duke Ellington, as it was a song they had in their back pocket. Adams noted “the naming of the tune took inspiration from the desegregated “black and tan” clubs in Harlem. In hindsight, I suppose there is a somewhat poetic relationship between our choosing to play that song given the current state of this country.”
The conference isn’t always held in New Orleans, and Adams noted that “when JEN is here in New Orleans, it seems like a totally different atmosphere.
The conference really expands into the whole city as the artists they bring in play and sit in at venues across New Orleans.”
Sophomore Saxophonist and music therapy major Cooper Belletto emphasized how thankful he was that he could attend the conference through Loyola’s jazz studies program-”If I had the spending money I’d be here every year!” he noted.
“Whenever I get to attend this conference I’m blown away with all the great players and talent surrounding me. Being exposed to such great sounds gives me more inspiration to work with other students and spread this history, while always remaining a student to the culture around me.”
Belletto emphasized the importance of learning this history, saying “It’s been an important part of my work as a musician to respect and continue learning about that history every day.”
Junior music industry studies major and guitarist Sebastian Brown attended the conference for the first time this year, noting that when Loyola attended in the past, he felt a little jealous of the more experienced students who got to attend.
“This year, I had the awesome opportunity to be in the Loyola Jazz Ensemble, an auditioned group representing the Loyola jazz program. We played a concert on Thursday with some really fun difficult music, and it went great! It was amazing, a total jazz nerd heaven.”
Loyola professors spoke on a few panels and taught workshops, including percussion instructor Wayne Maureau, who led a “Foundations of Afro Cuban Jazz Styles” workshop. “He went super in depth into the different rhythms that make up the grooves of several types of afro-cuban music, and had the band play an example of each. I really enjoyed learning about and hearing the differences between them.” Brown explained.
This was the first time Maureau had taught a clinic at the conference, and he noted it was a challenge to lead without knowing the skill level of the attendees. “The rewarding part was after the clinic when people from Cuba and Brazil came up and complimented me on how accurate and informative it was and how much they enjoyed it. A couple even thanked me for showcasing the music of their culture.” Maureau noted, displaying that the conference doesn’t only enrich the students.
Brown even had an opportunity to fan out at the conference-he mentioned an interaction with professional jazz guitarist Dave Stryker.
“Before sound check I happened to be nearby, and he borrowed a quarter inch cable from me! Never throw that one away, I guess” Brown joked.
The conference is scheduled to be in Louisville, Kentucky, next year, but until it comes back around to New Orleans, these students are committed to keeping the passion alive at school.
