THE 9TH ANNUAL

HIGHLAND /ASU JAZZ FESTIVAL APRIL 12-14, 2018

HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL GILBERT, ARIZONA

Dear Jazz Educator, We would like to invite you to attend the 9th Annual Highland/ASU Jazz Festival on April 12-14, 2018 at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Please visit the Highland/ASU Jazz Website for more details, full artist/clinician bios and links, and other information about the festival. We have designed this festival to be beneficial to your jazz program in multiple areas. Join us to help educate, experience, and grow jazz education in our schools and communities.

www.highlandjazz.com

This year’s featured guest artists are:

Jason Palmer

Trumpeter/Composer/Educator Jason Palmer is becoming one of the most in demand musicians of his generation. He has performed with Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith (the organist), Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Kurt Rosenwinkel (first trumpeter to ever be hired by this highly acclaimed guitarist), Ravi Coltrane, Mark Turner, Jeff Ballard, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Common, Roy Hargrove, Lewis Nash, etc. Jason took 1st Place in the 2009 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition and the June 2007 issue of Downbeat Magazine cited Jason as one of the “Top 25 trumpeters of the Future”. In addition to performing on over forty albums as a sideman, Jason has recorded eight albums under his own name and is currently a Steeplechase Records Recording artist (three of his recordings receiving 4 stars or better in Downbeat Magazine). Jason is has toured over 30 countries with saxophonists Greg Osby, Grace Kelly, Matana Roberts, as well as a featured guest artist on multiple projects.

Walter Sm

ith III

“A line of fans young and old hoping to see a show that had sold out of advance tickets stretched past a nearby ramen shop...This was a Jazz show, mind you. In 2012.” From a recent performance review, The Los Angeles Times simply states the future of Jazz is bright with rising saxophonist Walter Smith III. Although it may appear Smith is a young gun on the scene at age 33, he is widely recognized as an adept performer, accomplished composer, and inspired educator. Smith’s debut recording as a leader was released in March of 2006 on the Fresh Sound New Talent label and features many of the brightest young Jazz talents. His sophomore release, titled "Live in France", was released in October 2009 to critical acclaim. His most recent album, “III”, was a top 10 best seller on iTunes. Walter released his latest project casualworldwide on September 9, 2014.

The guest artists will be joined by some of our clinicians in an all-star combo performance with the Arizona State University Concert Jazz Band led by Michael Kocour. In addition, the jazz band/combo that receives the Judge’s Most Outstanding Award will open Saturday’s concert!

Our clinicians include: ¯ Erik Applegate– Bass - Professor of Jazz Bass at the University of Northern Colorado ¯ Timothy Coffman - Trombone - Jazz Studies Faculty at DePaul University/Trombone & Jazz Studies ¯ Dr. Robert Miller - Saxophone– Professor Emeritus of Saxophone & Music Ed at the University of

Idaho ¯ Dr. Matt Patnode - Saxophone - Professor of Saxophone & Jazz Studies at North Dakota State

University ¯ Dr. Vern Sielert - Trumpet - Director of Trumpet & Jazz Studies at the University of Idaho

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Due: February 2, 2018 Festival Registration: $250.00 per Big Band

$525.00 per Big Band + Tickets for 1 Concert (All Members, Director, & 4 Chaperones) $750.00 per Big Band + Tickets for Both Concerts (All Members, Director, & 4 Chaperones) $250.00 per Combo $375.00 per Combo + Tickets for 1 Concert (All Members, Director, & 2 Chaperones) $475.00 per Combo + Tickets for Both Concerts (All Members, Director, & 2 Chaperones)

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

Concert Ticket Prices: Participants Friday – Jason Palmer $15.00 Saturday – Walter Smith III $15.00 Both Concerts $25.00 General Admission Friday – Jason Palmer $20.00 Saturday – Walter Smith III $20.00

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday—Saturday, April 12-14 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Festival Performances/Clinics

Friday & Saturday, April 13 & 14

7:30 PM Festival Guest Artist Concerts

We hope you will come out 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 Jenn Bock highlanddirector@cox.net Michael.Kocour@asu.edu assdirector@highlandhighband.org

MISSION STATEMENT

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