Disney Jazz Celebration takes the Stage in February

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla – Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort will heat up from February 18 – 20, 2010 as student ensembles take the stage for a three-day festival. The event will honor the talents of middle and high school jazz ensembles from across the nation as they compete for top honors, interact with renowned jazz artists, learn from top jazz educators and experience exciting jam sessions.

“This festival is truly a celebration of all things Jazz. These talented young musicians will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with world renowned Jazz musicians and educators,” said Tim Hill, director of Disney Special Programs.

Officially endorsed by MENC: the National Association for Music Education, Disney Jazz Celebration is supported by Conn-Selmer, Inc. and their family of fine instruments. Vincent Bach, Selmer, King, Ludwig Musser and Glaesel are the official instruments of the event. The festival is open to middle and high school vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles. The competitive performance weekend includes a Welcome Gathering, post-performance clinics with renowned jazz educators, Master Classes with Conn-Selmer, Inc. clinicians, conversations with guest performers, and an inspiring awards ceremony.

Disney Jazz Celebration Master Classes are special one-hour presentations inside a Disney Theme Park conducted by distinguished music educators and industry leaders focusing on students’ artistic achievement, successful career skills, and the tools for performance excellence. Selected students from participating ensembles will have the opportunity to perform with the Disney Jazz Celebration Clinicians and Guest Performers in a structured and educational Jam Session experience.

The Conn-Selmer, Inc. renowned instrumental jazz clinicians include:

• Butch Miles, drummer for the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra and known for his swinging big band style and techniques.
• Chris Vadala, Director of Jazz Studies and Saxophone Professor at the University of Maryland and standout woodwind artist with the Chuck Mangione Quartet.
• Derrick Gardner, founder of The Jazz Prophets and currently Assistant Professor of jazz trumpet at Michigan State University College of Music.

The instrumental adjudicators include:

• Dr. Willie L. Hill Jr., director of the Fine Arts Center at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst
• Fred Irby, III, Professor of Music at Howard University in Washington, DC and Director of the internationally acclaimed Howard University Jazz Ensemble.
• Dianthe "Dee" Spencer, Professor of Music in the School of Music and Dance at San Francisco State University where she founded the jazz studies undergraduate degree program in 1990.

The vocal jazz clinicians/adjudicators include:

• Jennifer Barnes, highly sought-after studio vocalist, live performer, educator, clinician and arranger.
• Steve Zegree, a Bobby McFerrin Professor of Jazz at Western Michigan University and director of Gold Company, an internationally recognized jazz vocal ensemble.
• Connaitre Miller, Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Vocal Studies at Howard University in Washington, DC and director of the award winning vocal jazz ensemble "Afro Blue".

The festival will also include performances and conversations by notable rising Conn-Selmer, Inc. artists:

• Jessy J, whose debut jazz saxophone album Tequila Moon earned her such accolades as Radio and Record’s "Debut Artist of The Year" and contemporary jazz song of the year by R&R and Billboard.
• Dominick Farinacci, a graduate of The Juilliard School and recipient of the International New Star Award in Japan for his jazz trumpet recordings.
• Saunders Sermons, who began playing the trombone at the age of 11 and now can be heard on Jay Z's single "The Roc Boys" and Fantasia's single "Two Weeks Notice".
• Jared Schonig, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and winner of 4 Downbeat Student Music Awards. He has performed with jazz artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Fred Hersch, Wycliffe Gordon, and many others.

For more information on the Disney Jazz Celebration visit www.disneyjazzcelebration.com or call toll-free 1-800-603-0552.