A tradition among jazz musicians is bringing along younger players, giving them a chance to mature and grow their skills as well as their love of playing. The tradition plays itself out in many ways, such as in jam sessions, university jazz programs, and private lessons. But it is also at the heart of groups that organize to support jazz, including people who support young players learning the craft. One such organization is the Hilton Head Island Junior Jazz Foundation, which sponsors jazz clinics, summer jazz camps, a Jazz Guitar Institute, and more. They donate instruments and scholarships to young artists.
My podcast partner Kevin Bales, a scholarship recipient of an earlier version of the Foundation, has served on the board of the Junior Jazz Foundation since 2019 (see our Episode 43). He teaches at the summer camp and also oversees the assembly of a group of young musicians to be featured at the Foundation’s annual Bob Masteller’s Jazz for All Ages Annual Festival, named after the founder of the long-running and immensely popular The Jazz Corner on Hilton Head Island. This year, Kevin brought together five young musicians to perform for audiences, first at the Velvet Note jazz club outside of Atlanta, then on Hilton Head, October 13 and 14, for the Annual Festival.
This type of support is unique to the jazz community, which includes supporters and audiences as well as musicians. Far from competitive, the community is welcoming and dedicated to nurturing new, young talent, to ensuring that the music and traditions continue. As the tagline of the Foundation puts it: “We are preserving the Great American art form of Jazz, through education and performance.”
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