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IRVIN MAYFIELD, Jr.,
Artistic Director
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The University of New Orleans established the position of
internationally recognized jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, as
both professor of professional practice and artistic director
of NOJI. Mayfield is a versatile trumpeter, bandleader, composer,
arranger and recording artist, as well as a passionate spokesman
for the rich history and cultural significance of jazz and
the city in which it was born. Appointed by the U.S. Senate,
Congress
and other governmental agencies as the cultural ambassador
for both the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans in
2003,
his name has become synonymous with the still-unfolding legacy
of America’s only indigenous music and its unique, celebratory
style.
Mayfield is also the founder and artistic director of the institute’s
partner organization, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, which notably
serves as the only major jazz-performance institution in the
Crescent City. He also serves as artistic director of jazz for
the Minnesota Orchestra. |
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ROBIN LIGON-WILLIAMS,
Director of Programs
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Robin Williams joined NOJI as Program Director in September of
2008. Williams has an extensive background as jazz musician, music
journalist, award winning arts educator and arts administrator.
Prior to her work at the Institute, she served as executive director
for the Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra, director of arts education
for 54 Indiana school programs through AYS, Inc., and was most
recently artistic director/curator for the Garfield Arts Center
for the City of Indianapolis. |
Mission: The
New Orleans Jazz Institute (NOJI) links UNO’s strengths
in jazz education with professional practice. It serves to promote creative
excellence and best practices in Jazz composition, performance, scholarship,
importation, exportation, and education.
The New Orleans Jazz Institute’s mission and vision for both the University
and the larger community has been demonstrated through its inaugural programs
in 2008-09. The activities of the Institute have helped to define its integral
role in the future growth of Jazz, contained within the city that created
it. The Institute serves as a community and capacity building organization
for New Orleans’ Jazz Industry and creative community, bolsters the
activities and scope of UNO Jazz programs, and acts as an ambassador for
New Orleans Jazz all over the world.
NOJI INITIATIVES—2008-09 & Future
Plans:
- Invite collaboration among universities in the area:
Representatives from Loyola University’s Music Business program and
Tulane University Hogan Jazz Archives joined UNO faculty and staff for the “Jazz
Evolution Retreat” panel discussion on the future of Jazz, produced
by NOJI in April 2008. Future collaboration with area university programs
and staff is planned through a variety of ways, including the development
of a New Orleans Jazz Consortium, University Jazz Festival etc…
- Sponsor a music training school on Saturdays
for middle and secondary students:
UNO Music Education faculty, UNO Charter schools and NOJI have developed
a Saturday Music School music education project, which is slated to
start in
the fall of 2009. The program will include 40 students, ages 8-14 for 24 weeks
of individualized music instruction and participation in music ensembles. A
special initiative to engage the interest and participation of beginning level
students from UNO Charter School will be one of the project’s primary
focuses. Students will also be recruited city-wide for participation in lessons
and ensemble opportunities. At the end of each semester, students and their
teachers will perform for their families and the community.
The Institute has developed the program plan as well as the timeline, curriculum,
organizational structure and budget for the Saturday School. Program objectives
include:
• Applied music instruction
will be general, not jazz specific, and will include strings, woodwinds,
horns, piano and percussion.
• Faculty and Music Education student Instructors from UNO, NOJI, New Orleans
Jazz Orchestra and contracted artistic personnel will teach at the program.
• Group lessons for beginning Students
• Private Applied Music lessons for more advanced students
• Music appreciation & beginning theory classes for everyone
• Fun multi-disciplinary arts activities such as Music mural painting and
dance will also be offered
• Lunchtime Special Guest Artists-a diverse array of special guest artists
will also appear every week to perform, inspire and interact with the students.
Click here for the Saturday Music School Flyers
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Offer tours:
Future plans include projected performances by the University of New Orleans
Jazz Orchestra at festivals in St. Louis, Senegal (December 2009) and Byron
Bay, Australia (April 2010).
- Establish and develop The University of New Orleans Jazz
Orchestra (UNOJO) in conjunction with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
(NOJO):
During the 2008-09 academic
school-year, NOJI partnered with Victor Atkins, Professor of the UNO
Jazz Studies program to develop The University
of New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (UNOJO), a pre-professional touring band.
This project is an important artist development initiative for the future
of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in specific, and New Orleans’ Jazz
legacy in general. UNOJO prepares students for the rigors of a career
as touring and performing musicians. Students from the ensemble have
the future potential of being hired for the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
and other professional ensembles and groups.
UNOJO made several initial accomplishments in the 2008-09 academic year:
- Premier performance at the French Quarter Festival-University of New
Orleans Jazz Orchestra made its debut on April 18th at the Royal Sonesta Hotel
at French Quarter Festival to standing room crowds.
- NOJO hired UNOJO student- Lead trumpeter and 2009 UNO Jazz Studies graduate
Ashlin Parker secured a spot in the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and performed
at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as well as his own regular professional
appearance weekly at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse.
- Organize Jazz competitions:
- NOJI and UNO will work with community partners to produce a national
University Jazz Festival and Competition.
- Plans to develop a regional live radio show through a partnership with
NPR station WWNO. This program will showcase young and up and coming Jazz talent,
and provide a venue for Jazz competition winners to perform.
- Commission new Jazz pieces:
In April 2009, NOJI was awarded a $45,000 grant by the Board of Regents ATLAS-
Awards to Louisiana Artists and Scholars grants program for the completion
of a new master jazz work by Irvin Mayfield called “Elysian Fields”.
This award was the only ATLAS grant received by University of New Orleans
in 2009. Mayfield will create a 9 movement jazz piece dedicated to his father
Irvin Mayfield Sr., who lost his life in the flood waters and aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina. The piece is also a tribute to New Orleans, as ATLAS describes, ”a
living monument that gives voice to the rebirth of a community”. Dual
premieres are planned for 2010, at the University of New Orleans, at the
foot of Elysian Fields Avenue. The piece is also projected to premier in
Paris, France on the Champs Elysées. The French Consulate in New Orleans
has endorsed the project and will assist the Institute in procuring additional
funding and partnerships to produce the French premiere of “Elysian
Fields”.
Ellis Marsalis, Honorary Chairman, NOJI Jazz Evolution Retreat, April 2009
- Host an annual Jazz retreat, featuring globally
recognized artists as well as noted music industry professionals:
In April 2009,
NOJI hosted 40 jazz industry decision-makers, musicians and music educators
for participation in its first “Jazz Evolution” retreat at
the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Pianist Ellis Marsalis, the former Coca-Cola
Chair in Jazz Studies at UNO and founding faculty member of the UNO Jazz
Studies Program, served as honorary chair for the event. The retreat
was produced with support from several community partners, including
the Arts Council of New Orleans, Shell, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
and the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
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Panelists included: Marci Schramm, executive director of the French Quarter
Festival, Jan Ramsey, editor-in-chief of OffBeat magazine, Steve Masakowski,
the Coca-Cola Chair in Jazz Studies at UNO; Bruce Raeburn, curator of the Hogan
Jazz Archives at Tulane University; drummer Terrance Higgins of the Dirty Dozen
Brass Band; Harold Battiste of AFO Records, retired UNO professor of jazz studies;
saxophonist Donald Harrison; Deacon John Moore, president of AFM Local 174-496;
Don Marshall, executive director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation;
trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, professor of professional practice/artistic director
of NOJI ; Earnest Collins of the New Orleans mayor’s office; Mary Len Costa,
interim director of the Arts Council of New Orleans; and Matt Hampsey of the
National Parks Service-Jazz Historical Park.
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Based on the discussions and outcomes of the retreat, NOJI created a
report for dissemination to retreat members. Forthcoming is a jazz industry Web
blog where members of the jazz community can continue the dialogue. http://www.neworleansjazzinstitute.blogspot.com/
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NOJI also plans to host a follow-up meeting during the summer during “Satchmo
Summer Fest”, where specific action committees will be established.
Steve Masakowski, Coco-Cola endowed Chair-UNO Jazz Studies
& Jeff Coffin, saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band
- Plans
to offer advanced and master classes to university students via UNO
Jazz Studies
Department and “Jazz at the Sandbar” Series.
With support from UNO Jazz Studies and YAMAHA Corporation, NOJI hosted
a master-class by saxophonist and three-time Grammy award winning jazz
artist Jeff Coffin
(Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Dave Matthews Band) for UNO students in February
2009. Future plans for collaboration on the production of the 2009 Jazz at
the Sandbar series includes performances and master-classes with internationally
renowned artists.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NOJI,
or to get involved in NOJI
programs,
please contact Robin Williams
at (504)280-3303
or by email at rmwilli6@uno.edu.
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