11th Annual National Jazz Workshop Celebrates Successful Week at Shenandoah

The National Jazz Workshop was held on the campus of Shenandoah University from July 14 through July 19. This was the 11th year for the workshop and it featured four large jazz ensembles directed by Director of Brass Studies and Trombone Artist-in-Residence Matt Niess, D.M.A.; Mike Tomaro; Harrison Endowed Chair in Piano, Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor of Jazz Piano Bob Larson, D.M.A.; and Adjunct Associate Professor of Jazz Percussion Alphonso Young, M.M.; a Little Big Band directed by Auxiliary Adjunct Associate Professor of Jazz and Trumpet Craig Fraedrich, M.M., and a trombone ensemble directed by Niess. Approximately 80 workshop members attended concerts by the U.S. Army Blues, National Jazz Workshop All-Star Jazz Orchestra, Bohemian Caverns Big Band, Mike Tomaro Little Big Band, Capitol Bones and the Fairfax Swing Big Band. Masterclasses and improvisational sessions were held throughout the week, as well as informal jam sessions.