Tuesday July 15 2008
7:00pm - Woodward Park Library
Join JazzFresno for free lecture and discussion about the unique and influential sound of the Hammond organ in jazz and beyond. The Hammond Company began production of electric organs in 1935 as a substitute for pipe organs and a replacement for pianos in middle class home, and for use by radio stations. Widely used at military chapels during World War II, soldiers familiar with Hammond organs contributed to the instrument's post war popularity. At the same time, many churches began purchasing the Hammond as an inexpensive organ option. With many musicians getting their start playing in church, they made the Hammond a fixture in black gospel groups, and took it along as they moved into blues, R&B and jazz.
The Hammond organ was “transplanted” into Jazz as Wild Bill Davis developed the organ trio; Jimmy Smith re-invented the use of the organ as an instrument for solo improvisation, and created what we now define as the "soul jazz" sound. In 1955, the famed "B-3" model hit the scene, finding talented young musicians to create broad, new musical directions for the instrument. With the organ in the hands of artists like Jack McDuff, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Charles Earland, Ray Charles, James Brown, Shirley Scott, Steve Winwood, Al Kooper, and in groups like Santana, Steppenwolf, and The Young Rascals, it developed diverse new listening audiences. It’s fair to say Laurens Hammond, the inventor of Hammond Organs, will go down as the greatest “organ donor” of all time. The talk will be led by JazzFresno General Manager John Baker.
Woodward Park Regional Library - 944 E Perrin Ave - Fresno, CA 93720
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 The 2nd Annual Central Valley Jazz Educators Conference, presented by JazzFresno returns to Kingsburg High School on Saturday September 13, 2008, from 8:00 AM till 3:30 PM. Top jazz educators from across California will present educational workshops on a wide variety of jazz topics, plus vendors, prizes and more. The registration deadline is September 5th.
CVJEC online registration form...
Kingsburg High - Google Map link...
Featured Clinicians:
Roger Shew, Fullerton College; Jamie Shew, Fullerton College;
Dr. Lawrence Sutherland, CSU Fresno;
Dale Engstrom, Fresno City College
Conference Sessions:
Digital Recording Solutions; Improvisation-Beyond the Blues Scale:
A Vocabulary-Based Approach;
Bass Fundamentals: Getting A Sound/
Bass Line Construction; New Music Reading Session;
Sight Reading & Rehearsal Techniques;
Vocalizing in Jazz Band Rehearsal;
Raffle / Closing Session
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JazzFresno presents a free lecture and jazz performance on Tuesday October 2nd at the Woodward Park Regional Library, featuring an introductory discussion on the music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. One of the greatest drummers in jazz history, Blakey had an explosive, dynamic sound that propelled jazz forward for over 50 years, and helped define a post war jazz style known as "hard bop." Perhaps even more than his drumming, Blakey is known best today as a band leader and mentor. His group, the Jazz Messengers, was an unofficial "university" of jazz, an important training ground dedicated almost exclusively to talented young jazz musicians, from the band's inception in the mid 1950's to Blakey's death in the early 1990's. The roster of "Jazz Messengers" reads like a who's who of jazz: Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Kenny Dorham, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Benny Golson, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Bobby Timmons, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, John Hicks, Keith Jarrett, Woody Shaw, Bobby Watson, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Benny Green, and Javon Jackson. The discussion will feature an introduction to Blakey's music and the hard bop style he helped pioneer, and will be followed by a performance of some works associated with his groups.
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers: The "University of Hard Bop"
Lecture / jazz performance - free
Tuesday October 2nd 2007 - 7:00pm
Woodward Park Regional Library
944 East Perrin Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720
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JazzFresno presents the first Central Valley Jazz Educators' Conference, Saturday September 15th at Kingsburg High School, from 8:00am till 3:00pm. The event will bring together vocal & instrumental jazz educators from Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings counties for a day of workshops, discussions and hands-on activities with top jazz educators from across California.
The featured vocal jazz clinicians are Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison, from CSU Sacramento - both exciting performers and clinicians, at the very top of their field. Vocal jazz topics will include: selecting music for your vocal jazz ensemble; an overview of vocal jazz literature; and vocal jazz improvisation. Kerry & Julia are also outstanding composers and arrangers and this will be a rare local opportunity to see and hear the future of vocal jazz education.
Instrumental sessions will be led by Mike Dana, Paul Lucckesi, Larry Honda and Les Nunes. Topics will include a discussion on selecting music appropriate for the young jazz ensemble (featuring a reading band session), rhythm section fundamentals, technology and jazz education, and small group improvisation. Local music vendors will also have new products on display at the event. Registration is $50, and includes a continental breakfast and lunch for all participants. The deadline for registration is September 10th, 2007. (Contact JazzFresno for on-site registration details). Music Ed students are encouraged to participate--student registration is $35).
Conference Schedule (updated)
Download conference registration form (PDF)...
Vendor information form...
Kingsburg High School - 1900 18th Ave, Kingsburg, CA - Google Map
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Learn more about the style of jazz known as bebop in JazzFresno's monthly Jazz @ The Library series on Tuesday August 19th at the Woodward Park Regional Library at 7:00 PM. From the beat poets of the 1950's to the hip hop artists of the 1990's - the music of bebop pioneers like Charlie Parker (aka "Bird") and Dizzy Gillespie has served as an inspiration for millions, and has become a cornerstone of modern jazz. Learn more about how bebop came to be with this special free event.