Thursday, November 6, 2008

Artists-In-Residence for the 2009 MJF

The Monterey Jazz Festival is also pleased to announce that the Artists-In-Residence for 2009 will be Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Featured during the Next Generation Festival in April will be renowned LCJO members alto saxophonist Sherman Irby, trumpeter Sean Jones and saxophonist Joe Temperley (pictured above).

Sherman Irby (alto saxophone) was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Encouraged by his mother to explore music, Mr. Irby studied viola, guitar and piano. Although he was studying classical music in school, playing gospel music in church and R&B at dances, he was drawn to jazz by listening to Charlie Parker. At Clark-Atlanta University, he played in the school jazz orchestra and performed with Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Rouse and Kenny Burrell. In 1994, he moved to New York and played with the Boys Choir of Harlem and in 1995, he landed the second alto chair with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. In 1996 and 1997, he participated in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program. He has toured with Marcus Roberts and worked with Ann Hampton-Callaway, the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and the New York City Ballet. In 1997, Mr. Irby began a three-year association with Roy Hargrove, performing with the Grammy Award-winning “Crisol” project. Mr. Irby has recorded Full Circle, Black Warrior and Big Mama’s Biscuits, which was included on the New York Times list of top 10 records for 1998.

Sean Jones (trumpet) earned a degree in classical trumpet performance from Youngstown State University in Ohio, and earned his masters degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey. He is now is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In his young career, Mr. Jones has worked with the Chico O'Farrill Orchestra, the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, the Illinois Jacquet Big Band, the Louis Armstrong Legacy Band, Charles Fambrough (and was featured on Mr. Fambrough’s release Live At Zanzibar Blue), Joe Lovano, and the International Jazz Quintet, in addition to leading his own groups. He has released three albums on the Mack Avenue label: Eternal Journey, Gemini and Roots.

Joe Temperley (baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet) was born in Scotland and first achieved prominence in the United Kingdom. In 1965, he came to New York City, where he performed and/or recorded with Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Joe Henderson, Duke Pearson, the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Clark Terry, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Eumir Deodato (on such albums as "Deodato 2" and "In Concert, Live at Felt Forum" for CTI) and many more. Mr. Temperley’s Broadway and film credits include Sophisticated Ladies, The Cotton Club, Biloxi Blues, Brighton Beach Memoirs, When Harry Met Sally and Tune In Tomorrow, composed by Wynton Marsalis. Mr. Temperley is a mentor and a co-founder of the FIFE Youth Jazz Orchestra program in Scotland, which now enrolls 70 young musicians, ages 7 to 17. Mr. Temperley has released several albums as a leader, including "Nightingale" (1991), "Sunbeam" and "Thundercloud" with pianist Dave McKenna (1996), "With Every Breath" (1998) and "Double Duke" (1999). He is an original member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and serves on the faculty of the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies.

As MJF’s Artists-In-Residence, members of the JALC Orchestra will work year-round with young student musicians in performances, clinics and one-on-one sessions at the Next Generation Festival and the MJF Summer Jazz Camp, in addition to performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Started in 2004, the MJF Artist-In-Residence program has brought Regina Carter, Branford Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Terence Blanchard and Christian McBride to the Monterey Bay; their involvement and interaction with students provides a unique educational opportunity through mentorship that will last a lifetime.

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