THE 6TH ANNUAL HIGHLAND /ASU JAZZ FESTIVAL MARCH 26-28, 2015 HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL GILBERT, ARIZONA

Dear Jazz Educator,

We would like to invite you to attend the 6th Annual Highland/ASU Jazz Festival on March 26-28, 2015 at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Please visit the Highland/ASU Jazz Website for all of the details, full artist/clinician bios and links, and other important information about the festival. Our festival is more than a come and get comments and ratings festival. We have designed it to be beneficial to your jazz program in multiple areas. Jazz needs to be experienced, so come and experience jazz with us!

www.highlandjazz.com

This year’s featured guest artists are:

“Rhythm Is My Business" is the title of his debut recording as a leader, and rhythm is a booming business as far as Lewis Nash is concerned.

Lewis Nash Lewis is the drummer of choice for an incredible array of artist—from the masters of the music to the hottest young players of today—and is equally in demand as a clinician and educator. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Lewis developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age 10. By age 18, he was performing with local jazz groups. By the time he was 21, Lewis had become the “first call” jazz drummer in Phoenix, working with Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Barney Kessell, and Slide Hampton during their engagements in the city.

Currently, while he continues to perform and record with a wide variety of artists, Lewis leads several of his own exciting groups, from duo to septet. Outside of his many touring and recording accomplishments (thanks to the sponsorship of Sonor drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, and Regal Tip drumsticks), Lewis has become a sought after jazz educator. His lectures, clinics, and workshops are as much in demand as his bandstand and studio work.

Multi-talented and internationally renowned tenor saxophonist, Benny Golson was born in Philadelphia, PA, on January 25, 1929. With decades of experience as a composer, arranger, lyricist, and producer, Benny has earned the title of “jazz legend.” Benny Golson

Raised with an impeccable musical pedigree, Benny has played in the bands of world famous Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic, and Art Blakey. Few jazz musicians can claim to be true innovators and even fewer can boast of a performing and recording career that literally redefines the term "jazz." Benny Golson is the only living jazz artist to have written 8 standards for jazz repertoire, namely “Killer Joe,” “I Remember Clifford,” “Along Came Betty,” “Stablemates,” “Whisper Not,” “Blues March,” “Five Spot After Dark,” and “Are you Real?”

Benny has recorded over 30 albums for many recording companies in the United States and Europe under his own name and innumerable ones with other major artists. For more than 60 years, Benny has not only enjoyed an illustrious recording career but has also written well over 300 compositions.

These musicians will also be joined by some of our clinicians in an all-star combo performance and the Arizona State University Concert Jazz Band led by Michael Kocour. In addition, the High School Jazz Band that receives the Judge’s Most Outstanding Award from Friday and Saturday’s clinic/performances will open Saturday’s concert!

Our clinicians include:  Andy Baker - Trombone - Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago  Glenn Kostur - Saxophone - Director of Jazz Studies at the University of New Mexico  Don Owens - Composer - Retired Director of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University  Alex Parker - Trumpet - Director of Jazz Studies at Baylor University  Tom Wakeling - Bass - Retired Chair of Music at Clackamas Community College

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Festival Registration: $275.00 per Big Band $500.00 per Big Band w/Concert Tickets for One Concert $225.00 per Combo Due Date: February 20, 2015

All Elementary, Junior High, High School, & College Big Band and Combos are welcome!!!

Concert Ticket Prices: Participants Friday – Lewis Nash $15.00 Saturday – Benny Golson $15.00 Both Concerts $25.00

General Admission Friday – Lewis Nash $20.00 Saturday – Benny Golson $20.00

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 26, 2015 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Festival Performances/Clinics Friday & Saturday, March 27-28, 2015 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM Festival Performances/Clinics 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM Festival Performances/Clinics 7:30 PM Festival Guest Artist Concert

We hope you will come out and join us for a weekend of great jazz performances and experiences. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email us. We look forward to seeing you at the Highland/ASU Jazz Festival.

Sincerely,

Kevin Bennett Michael Kocour [email protected] [email protected]

MISSION STATEMENT The Highland Jazz Festival is dedicated to educate and inspire students, educators, and audiences; and to enhance the appreciation and importance of jazz education.