Dear Jazz Educator,

The Boise State University Department of Music is pleased to sponsor the 13^th annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival, Thursday-Saturday, April 22-24, 2010.  While we continue with our focus on educational activities, we also place a strong emphasis on presenting the best in 21^st century jazz artists, performing in a diversity of jazz styles: swing, bop, Latin, funk, fusion, and beyond.  Just look at this lineup that we have scheduled to appear!

The Monty Alexander Trio – “A World-Class Pianist following in the Gene Harris Tradition” http://montyalexander.com/

Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns – “A Towering 15-Piece Powerful Horn Band from Vegas” http://www.fatcityhorns.com/ http://www.santafeandthefatcityhorns.com/

Doug Beavers and His Latin Jazz Orchestra – “Salsa and Samba with a 21^st Century Twist” http://dougbeavers.com/

Gabriel Alegria and his Afro-Peruvian Sextet – “A South American take on North American Jazz”” http://gabrielalegria.com/

Diverse – “Winners of the Gene Harris 2008 Rising Professionals Competition” http://diversejazz.com/

Anschell/Jensen Duo – “Passionate interplay from two Origin Recording Artists”
http://www.origin-records.com/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=82533

The New Trio + – “In the Pocket from the Boise Pocket”

The Boise State University Jazz Ensemble – “Bop to Ballads in the Big Band Tradition”

Your big bands, combos, and improvisational soloists will be judged in a public performance, followed with a personal clinic, by a great lineup of jazz artist-educators. The middle of the day will also be chocked full of workshops tailored to every member of your ensemble.  And, from 4-7 pm, we present Jazz Club Concerts featuring many of the artists above.  And, one of our jazz clubs is even dedicated to a Student Jam Session, with select participating students performing with The New Trio +.  Each day culminates with our Headliner Evening Concerts beginning at 7:30 pm.

Details, guidelines, and application/registration materials are attached for all the activities—they can also be found by going to our dowload area.   You will note that our single registration fee remains unchanged from last year and entitles your students, chaperones, and you to all single day events, activities, and concerts.

So you and your students check out the guest artists’ web sites above, then download the attached Festival Format and Registration forms, fill them out, and return to the address below.  The Deadline for registration is: March 26, 2010.

We look forward to hearing your ensemble at the 13^th annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival and know that you and your students will find it a wonderful educational and entertaining experience.

As always, call or write for additional clarifying information.

Sincerely,

Mike Samball, Director
Kurtis Adams, Assistant Director

Gene Harris Jazz Festival
Department of Music
Boise State University
Boise, Idaho 83725