2017 Jazz Composers’ Symposium Summation
Presented by
The International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers
For two and a half days in the middle of May 2017,
prominent jazz composers, musicians, scholars, students, and industry professionals from
across the world flocked to Tampa, FL to convene for the first Jazz Composers'
Symposium in almost 10 years. Taking place in the University of South Florida
School of Music's impressive new building/concert hall located just north of
downtown Tampa, the almost 200 conference registrants were afforded an
all-too-rare opportunity to connect with fellow jazz composers while engaging
with celebrated master artists, becoming exposed to a variety of new music, and
discussing related music industry trends.
The event culminated with the ISJAC Board honoring Chick Corea with admission into its first Jazz Composer Hall-of-Fame class (along
with posthumous awards to Duke Ellington and Mary Lou Williams). Upon accepting the
award and saying a few words to the audience, Chick invited former bandmate Joe
Chambers (Tones for Joan's Bones) to join him on stage for an impromptu
performance. Earlier in the evening Chuck Owen and his Jazz Surge (along with special guests Randy Brecker and Gregoire Maret) had captivated the near capacity crowd in attendance
with stunning selections from their soon to be released project, "Whispers On the Wind". The Billy Childs Group and John Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet delighted conference attendees on prior nights,
while award-winning composers such as Maria Schneider, Rufus Reid, & Ryan Truesdell (in addition to Childs and Hollenbeck) offered their
thoughts on the composition process as well as the unique challenges the jazz composer of
today faces. Bob Thompson (Pres. of G. Shirmer, Node Records, & AMP), Brian
Camelio (Pres. of ArtistShare), Gargi Shinde (Jazz Program Director at Chamber
Music America), and Pete Barenbregge (Jazz Editor, Alfred Music) addressed
these - providing strategies for composers to connect with audiences.
However, in addition to the very distinguished
line-up of featured guests, over 65 other composers (from over 30 States & 10 Countries)
selected through an international call for scores and papers, presented their
work in new music workshops, concerts, and poster sessions. Five composers'
works were honored with ISJAC "Sonic Awards". These included: Remy
LeBoeuf - "Strata" Ashley Summers - "True North" Scott
Routenberg - "Little Rootie Tootie" (Arr.) Cassio Vianna -
"Baiao Moderno" Matt Sazima - "Unwound" Opening the
Symposium, ISJAC Pres., Chuck Owen, announced the next Jazz Composers' Symposium will
take place in May of 2019 in Greeley, Colorado.
See https://isjac.org/symposium for more information.
Get social at: https://www.facebook.com/isjac
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