In August, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, starting the third of its four scheduled years at Loyola, welcomed the class of 2011.

The Institute has been part of Loyola’s College of Music and Fine Arts for a little over two years because of a four-year initiative called “Commitment to New Orleans,” the mission of this is to help revive New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina through jazz. 

This year, Terence Blanchard, Grammy-award winner and artistic director for the Institute, along with jazz masters Gary Burton and Jimmy Heath, selected six new students: trumpeter Billy Buss, drummer Nicholas Falk, pianist Victor Gould, bassist Hogyu Hwang, alto saxophonist Godwin Louis and tenor saxophonist Matt Marantz. 

Composer and pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk’s philosophy of learning the art of jazz from jazz masters inspired the launch of the Institute in 1995.

The students selected for the program receive full-tuition scholarships, stipends to cover living expenses, two years to hone their craft and the opportunity to study and learn from jazz masters. 

Marantz, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music said, “It is great to have free time when subsidized to work on your craft and two years of not having to worry about rent for your apartment.” 

When the Institute arrived in New Orleans from Los Angeles, Hancock expressed the Institute’s commitment to making an impact on the community to educate young people about jazz, among others. 

“Monk students visit the schools to teach, inspire and serve as role models,” said Valerie W. Goertzen, an assistant professor of music history. “Members of the Loyola community have the chance to sit in on their rehearsals and on workshops and master classes given on campus,”

Throughout the program, the students will be lectured, coached and granted the opportunity to work with jazz artists such as the chairman of the Institute and Grammy-award winner for 2008’s Album of the Year Herbie Hancock. 

According to administrative director Holly Wallace, the Institute brings a visiting jazz master each month. 

Upcoming artists-in-residence include double bass and electric bass player John Patitucci in October, composer and arranger Jimmy Heath in November, and David Baker in December. 

At the beginning of next year, the Institute will welcome jazz bassist Ron Carter in January and pianist composer Barry Harris in February.   

While the Institute has fulfilled half of its commitment, the decision to keep or extend the Institute’s presence is unknown.

“While Loyola is a terrific host and the association has been a resounding success, it’s too early to predict if the initial four-year commitment will be extended,” Wallace said.

Charmaine Jackson can be reached at [email protected]