PUTNEY — The Vermont Jazz Center is preparing for the 41st iteration of its summer jazz workshop. The weeklong program takes place on the beautiful campus of The Putney School.
According to a news release, the workshop encourages intermediate- to professional-level students “from down the street and around the world.” While in Vermont, “they polish their improvisational and musicianship skills while enjoying a hiatus in the country.”
The workshop began in 1974 when famed Hungarian guitarist Attila Zoller formed the Attila Zoller Guitar Clinics. These informal programs were fundamental in the development of young musicians like Peter Bernstein, Helmut Kagerer, and many others who would come to Zoller's rustic home in Newfane and study with him and other masters.
The program attained nonprofit status in 1989 when Zoller took on a board of directors, registered with the state, and conscripted friends like Joy Wallens-Penford, Howard Brofsky, and Gene Rush to help with the curriculum and organization. To this day, the VJC honors Zoller's immense spirit and attention to quality.
Over the years, the Summer Workshop has grown in numerous ways, most notably through increased numbers of students and staff, but also by developing a vocal program under the caring guidance of Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton.
'A sense of rhythm'
Because the workshop has taken place now for 18 years at the Putney School, “a sense of rhythm has been achieved through repetition,” according to the news release. The community “simultaneously grows outward while getting deeper: returning students visit each summer and nourish friendships, develop their musical skills, and live their dreams.”
Both students and faculty consider the week in Putney to be the highlight of their year.
“It's my favorite week of the year,” pianist Bob Werbel said in the release. “I wouldn't miss it for anything.”
According to the news release, “there exists a natural, intergenerational balance” where participants of all ages learn from each other, gleaning from both the wisdom of jazz's “old school,” the pedagogical advancements in today's developed system of jazz education and the freedom that is synonymous with the word “jazz.”
The Vermont Jazz Center's Summer Workshop emphasizes the importance of improvisation and small-group dynamics, encouraging participants to find their own voices “using the jazz language.” The courses offered include jazz theory, master classes in each instrument, focused listening and faculty led ensembles.
Eugene Uman is Artistic Director and Ginger Morawski is the Summer Workshop Administrator. Dozens of community volunteers contribute to the workshop's smooth operation.
Many musicians
This year's program will feature approximately 50 instrumental and 20 vocal students under the tutelage of more than a dozen highly regarded musician/teachers. Participants will meet and enjoy the excellent musical facilities at the Putney School; they will unite into instrumental and vocal ensembles and each day partake in master classes, formal performance groups, and classes in jazz composition and theory.
In the evenings - evoking the Zoller spirit - students and faculty will jam until the wee hours of the morning. The students will offer a performance on the final evening of the workshop; the Faculty will deliver their own on Thursday evening. Both concerts will take place at the Michael S. Currier Center at the Putney School.
On Thursday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m., the Vermont Jazz Center Faculty Concert will present vocalists Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton, Rob Freeberg (trumpet), Jeff Galindo (trombone), Scott Mullett, Michael Zsoldos (saxophone), Carolina Calvache, Harvey Diamond, Ray Gallon and Eugene Uman (piano), Marcus McLaurine, George Kaye, David Picchi and Cameron Brown (bass), Franciso Mela, Brian Adler and Claire Arenius, (drums) and Julian Gerstin, percussion.
Tickets for the concert are $20 ($15 for students). Local music students are admitted free of charge.
On Friday, Aug. 12, the VJC Summer Workshop Student Concert will showcase faculty-coached student ensembles with numerous vocalists and several piano trios.
This concert will be divided into two sections, the first starting at 3:30 p.m., and the second at 8 p.m., after a dinner break.
Singers will be accompanied by a professional jazz trio and the piano trios will be assisted and perform with a faculty bassist. Also performing will be five faculty-coached ensembles, usually composed of two or three horns, piano, bass, and drums.
For the student concert, a $5 donation is suggested.