|
Mission & History
Mission:
The Alaska Jazz Workshop is a non-profit arts and service organization
formed in 2000 to cultivate a support and educational system for jazz
music and increase the community awareness of jazz music. Jazz
improvisation is used as a platform to develop students' creativity, their
ability to work together productively in group situations, and their
appreciation for the language of music. The Alaska Jazz Workshop's mission
will be accomplished by providing educational programs for music students
with individual and group classes, by presenting student and professional
musician concerts, and by networking and complementing programs offered
by other jazz organizations in communities throughout Alaska.
History:
The Alaska Jazz Workshop idea was
started by John Damberg and Kerry Maule the Summer of 1995 as the Small
Combo Jazz Improvisation Class. They wanted to provide a means to share
their love and passion for the great American art form of Jazz with the
future generations of potential jazz lovers. They knew that the art form
of Jazz emphasizes self expression, working together as a musical
collective to create something that is artistically inspiring, a deep
understanding of the language of music through the study of music theory ,
ear training and an appreciation of the rich culture and history of Jazz
music. The initial classes were such a success that John and Kerry
decided to offer the classes on a year round basis at UAA on Friday
afternoons. So the jazz classes have been running consistently on a year
round basis since the summer of 1995. The workshop classes have provided
an opportunity for over 1300 Middle and High School students to expand
their creative and musical skills while networking with other like minded
and impassioned music students. The student combos, which give regular
concerts open to the public, have continued to develop the appreciation
for jazz music in Alaska.
Back to top |
"Change is always
happening. That's one of the wonderful things about jazz music."
Maynard Ferguson |
