The 64th annual Midwest Clinic for bands and orchestras will be held December 15-18 in Chicago, featuring 38 jazz ensembles, orchestras, bands and chamber ensembles from seventeen states, the District of Columbia and Japan. Among those scheduled to perform are the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, the Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra, the Rob Parton Big Band and the U.S. Navy Commodores. The conference features more than 65 clinicians, offering jazz educators a wealth of information on various topics. For more information, e-mail kandersen@midwestclinic.org

Oscar Peterson in Bronze

On June 30, a slightly larger-than-life bronze statue of legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was unveiled outside the National Arts Centre near Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The sculpture, by Canadian artist Ruth Abernethy, is of Peterson seated at the end of a piano bench, resting his left elbow on the instrument that made him an international star. Beside him on the bench is an empty space for passersby to rest. The project took shape about two years ago, when Abernethy discussed it with organizers of a Toronto memorial for the Montreal-born Peterson who was aged 82 when he died in 2007. During the sculpting process, Abernethy studied photos and biographies of Peterson and listened to his recordings for inspiration. "He's an icon," Abernethy said of Peterson. "He's a very broad thread in the Canadian weave."

More Honors for McPartland, Ashton

On June 8, British pianist Marian McPartland was inducted as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her Services to Jazz and to aspiring young musicians in the United States. McPartland was given her insignia by Sir Alan Collins, Her Majesty's Consul General for the U.S., at a ceremony in New York City. "I am exceedingly proud to have received this great honor bestowed on me by Queen Elizabeth," said McPartland. "I am truly grateful, and I wish the Queen a happy birthday." Among her guests at the ceremony were Todd Barkan, Bill Charlap, Renee Rosnes, Helen Merrill, Michael Feinstein and Elle Shearing who conveyed congratulations from her husband, pianist George Shearing. McPartland, who has had a long and distinguished career as a pianist, composer, writer and educator, is perhaps best known for "Piano Jazz," National Public Radio's longest-running cultural show, on the air since 1978 and heard by listeners around the world.

Also named an OBE in the Queen's birthday honors list for his services to music was Bill Ashton, founder and life president of Great Britain's National Youth Jazz Orchestra, which marks its 45th anniversary later this year. Ashton, a saxophonist in his own right, co-founded the Oxford University Big Band in 1960, and five years later founded the London Schools Jazz Orchestra, which quickly evolved into the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, several of whose alumni are among the country's foremost jazz musicians. To date, NYJO has recorded about 50 albums and has performed in countries around the world including the U.S. (twice), the USSR, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Malta, Portugal, France, Germany, Sicily, Madeira and Spain. NYJO has appeared many times on television and played for the Royal Family, notably at the Royal Variety Performance and the Royal Celebration of Youth. In 1978, Ashton was awarded an MBE, marking the first time the word "Jazz" had ever appeared in the annual Honors List. Ashton has written more than 70 songs in whole or part, and has served on the committees for the International Year of the Child and the Association of British Jazz Musicians. He became Life President of NYJO in 2009 and continues as its Founding Musical Director.

More Fond Farewells

Stanley Kaufman, better known as Stanley Kay, one-time back-up drummer and manager for Buddy Rich and one of the driving forces behind the superb all-female big band DIVA, died at home on June 21. He was 86 years old. After drumming for such headliners as Josephine Baker, Patti Paige and Frankie Laine, Kay stepped into management as creator and conductor of "Hines, Hines and Dad," continuing to manage dancer Maurice Hines and such stars as Michelle Lee and Paul Burke. Later, he became entertainment director for the New York Yankees, and in 1992 founded DIVA, a world-renowned ensemble led by drummer Sherrie Maricle.

comments powered by Disqus