Shenandoah hosted the 11th year of the National Jazz Workshop on the main campus from July 14 through July 19 and provided players with skills they can use for a lifetime. The NJW, which drew approximately 80 participants, 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. Workshop evenings featured concerts by groups such as 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. The NJW workshop is open to jazz musicians of all ages, with the youngest students so far being 13-to-14 years old and the oldest in their 70s.
2019 National Jazz Workshop at Shenandoah University
