I’ve just returned from New York. My friends and I were in town for the 2006 IAJE Convention (International Association for Jazz Educators). For those who don’t know, the annual conference is choc full of clinics on a plethora of jazz/music biz subjects, information on all sorts of jazz-related organizations, and, of course, dozens of concerts by some of the best and biggest names in jazz.
Musicians from far and wide come to conference. It was mesmerizing at times. It’s hard not be in awe when you see Chic Corea, Ron Carter, James Moody, Paquito D’Rivera, John Faddis, Tony Bennett, Jimmy Heath, and Freddie Hubbard all in the room with you. I saw more jazz in four days than I normally do all year, and all of it was world class. I’m finding it impossible to pick favorites, but I loved Monty Alexander (w/ Hassun Shakur on bass and Hernan Riley on drums), The Trondhiem Jazz Orchestra (w/ Chic Corea), Stefan Harris and Blackout, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Rachel Caswell & Geri Allen (w/ Sarah Caswell), and The Kenny Werner Trio (w/ Ari Hoenig). There were some terrifically involving clinics as well, all very enlightening in one way or another.
New York City was equally as incredible, though it probably was the coldest I can ever remember being. The city looked gorgeous from the 86th floor of the Empire State building, and I got to really like riding the F train from Houston St up to Rockefeller Center every morning. On the last night it snowed, and the following morning found us wandering around Central Park on top of a fresh coat of snow.
So much, but I’ll cut myself short. I’m awaiting in great expectation the 2007 IAJE conference, which is also to be held in NYC. They say it only comes once a year…
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