IAJE 2005

The 32nd Annual Conference of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE), was held January 5 -8 at the Long Beach Convention Center. More than 8000 educators, musicians, students, industry participants, and fans, descended on this picturesque area near marinas, the Queen Mary, and Long Beach's chic restaurants and shops.  For four days attendees scurried between hotels, The Terrace Theater, hotel ballrooms and meeting rooms taking in concerts, clinics, workshops, industry track events, demonstrations, and panel discussions. There are so many overlapping events happening that often one has to try to "be in 2 places at one time".

The 5th Annual IAJE Gala Dinner, hosted by jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson kicked off the 2005 IAJE conference Wednesday evening. The President's Award was presented to guest of honor, pianist Herbie Hancock. The Sisters in Jazz (Seattle's Carmen Staaf on piano!) and Eldar Djangirov performed for the crowd.

Thursday's big event focused on the IAJE hosted Annual National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Awards Concert. Kenny Burrell, Paquito D'Rivera, Slide Hampton, Shirley Horn, Jimmy Smith, the late Artie Shaw and promoter George Wein were all honored as the most recent inductees to this prestigious group. (Friday afternoon many of the honorees gathered in a panel sesssion moderated by A.B.Spellman, where they gave interesting and sometimes humorous insights to their background.) The NEA Jazz Masters Awards Concert featured The Thelonius Monk Institute ensemble with Herbie Hancock, a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the Pancho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band.

One of the many highlights was the Down Beat Blindfold Test featuring bassist Charlie Haden and journalist Dan Ouellette. Examples of works by various bassists chosen by Dan were played for Charlie who then had to guess who the performing artist was. As he reasoned through his answers, tidbits about his approach to the bass were revealed. It was a humorous and enlightening hour.

Another really special performance was that of the Seattle based Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto. The Brazilian born Santos Neto kept the energy of the music flying and everyone in the packed ballroom was on their feet moving to the infectious rhythms.

Seattle's Garfield High School once again attended and performed at IAJE. Saturday afternoon they performed with guest, Terrell Stafford. Saturday evening they opened up the finale concerts, followed by the Yellow Jackets, and then the hugely popular Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band with clarinetist Eddie Daniels.

Among the many other performances at IAJE 2005 were: Dee Dee Bridgewater, James Moody, Geri Allen Trio, Billy Hart, The Bad Plus, Gerald Wilson, Diane Schur with Dave Samuels and the Carribbean Jazz Project, Roy Haynes, Bob Florence Limited Edition, Kim Richmond Jazz Orchestra, Rhubumba, Kenny Burrell Quintet, Monica Mancini, Tierney Sutton, and a host of regional school bands. It was a feast for big band lovers.

By Friday IAJE attendees were being drenched by the news-making Southern California rains. Rivers of water were gushing through the streets and everyone was dashing between venues and trying to stay inside. That rain was far worse than the oft-present but much more gentle rain of the Pacific Northwest.

The 2006 and 2007 IAJEs will be held in New York City This is particularly exciting because NYC already boasts some of the best venues and largest roster of available working performers to augment the conference. This bodes well for jazz lovers in January!