Jazz Festival
The 14th Annual
Moores School of Music
Jazz Festival
February 24 & 25, 2012
featuring guest artist Seamus Blake
We are thrilled to have an innovative and exciting artist grace the Moores Opera House stage this year. New York based tenor saxophonist & composer Seamus Blake is recognized as one of the finest exponents of contemporary jazz. His music is known for its sophistication, bold improvisations and “sheer swagger”. Blake’s recent releases, Live at Smalls, Bellwether and Live in Italy have garnered considerable critical praise for his masterful playing. 2008′s Live in Italy was awarded 4.5 stars in Downbeat Magazine, described as “a knockout”, “one of the elite albums of the year” and “as exhilarating as a shot of espresso”.
As a leader, Blake has many albums to his credit, spanning from his own quintet to the Mingus Big Band, to more adventurous terrain with electric groups featuring avant-garde playing and electronic implementation of his instrument. Some of the many other artists he has worked with include John Scofield, Dave Douglas, Eric Reed, Antonio Sanchez, Jane Monheit, Kenny Barron, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Wayne Krantz, Ingrid Jensen, Maria Schneider, Brad Mehldau, Brian Blade, Jeremy Pelt, Jack Dejohnette. Seamus continues to work with his fine quintet (David Kikoski, Lage Lund, Bill Stewart, Matt Clohesey) and on his ongoing explorations of electronic applications in jazz, especially with the EWI.
Want to Participate?
Participation is simple! There are only four steps you must complete in order to be included:
- Registration form & program
- Submit your stage layout
- Submit your application fee
Big Band – $175
Jazz Combo – $150
Make checks payable to IAJE-UH and mail to:
Noe Marmolejo
c/o Moores School of Music
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4201
If you are interested in participating in our event, we strongly encourage everyone to please send the necessary application fee as quickly as possible. Time slots fill up very quickly and ensembles will be admitted in the order that their applications are received.
Schedule of Performances
Friday, February 24
9am – 12pm Middle & high school bands perform for judges
12 – 1pm FREE Clinic and performance by guest artist
1 – 5:30pm Middle & high school bands perform for judges
7:30pm Performance by the Texas Music Festival Jazz Project, a big band featuring professionals from all over Texas
Saturday, February 25
9am – 12pm Middle & high school bands perform for judges
12 – 1pm FREE Clinic and performance by guest artist
1 – 5:30pm Middle & high school bands perform for judges
7:30pm Performance by the MSM Jazz Orchestra, featuring guest artist
All events are in the Moores Opera House.
Our Commitment to Jazz Education
A history of the MSM Jazz Festival
The annual Moores School of Music Jazz Festival invites middle school and high school jazz ensembles to perform in the Moores Opera House for a panel of distinguished jazz artists. Our festival is organized according to IAJE guidelines and will include a private clinic/commentary session by one member of the panel. Although this festival is not competitive, it includes a trophy system that will single out top performances by individuals and groups. The festival trophy list includes:
- 50 All-Star Trophies (25 given each day to outstanding performers)
- Outstanding Soloist of the Day
- Outstanding Soloist of the Festival
- Outstanding Middle School Ensemble of the Day
- Outstanding High School Ensemble of the Day
- Outstanding Middle School Ensemble of the Festival
- Outstanding High School Ensemble of the Festival
- Outstanding Ensemble of the Festival
Purchase Tickets
Discounted tickets packages are available to all school groups who are participating in the MSM Jazz Festival ONLY. In order to receive group tickets, complete our PDF ticket order form, then sign, and fax it to us.
In order to attend the evening concerts, tickets must be purchased, as they are NOT included in the festival entry fee. For those parties interested in obtaining tickets to the festival’s evening performances, tickets are available at full price at the door.
For individual tickets (non-participant), please call the MSM Ticket Office at (713) 743-3388.
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