Each year we create a special area of interest that all the workshop participants work on together. This year our special guest artist is Jack Duncan – a dynamic performer and dedicated educator who is recognized internationally as a pioneer in the study and promotion of Afro-Cuban music.He will be sharing his expertise, experience and considerable knowledge of Afro-Cuban Music and its influence on Jazz.
Under Jack’s artistic direction, we will explore the artistic sensibilities, philosophy and musical / technical approach to this very dynamic, exciting and popular form of jazz. This will happen in two settings: the six small combos will be merged into three larger combos of similar-experience-level players and the whole student group and faculty will work together in a fully massed band. The workshop faculty will coach the large combos and work with their instrument sections in the massed band. The workshop directors will provide arrangements and oversee & conduct the groups under Jack’s leadership. Each large combo and the massed band will perform in the finale of the student showcase concert on Saturday July 11.