I’m off for my yearly sojurn to the Canadian Rockies. The workshop in jazz and creative music at The Banff Centre is now over 30 years old. Originally led by Phil Nimmons and Oscar Peterson, it was for many years led by bassist Dave Holland, by Steve Coleman, by Hugh Fraser, Kenny Werner and others. This will be my 4th year leading this program and I look forward to it every year. I learn as much as anyone…

This is what the schedule looks like for the first week:

Week 1 – Dave Douglas, Greg Osby, Marilyn Crispell, Rez Abbasi, Scott Colley, Gerald Cleaver, Sophia Wong.

Monday, May 22
10 – 12: Meet and Greet with all Visiting Artists
1 – 2:30: Tour of the Recording Facilites
3 – 4:30: Visiting Artists perform in Chamber Music Room
7 – 8:30: Composition Master Class with Dave Douglas
Jam Session at Props Pub

Tuesday, May 23
10 – 12: Ensemble Coaching 1
1 – 3: Ensemble Coaching 2
3:30 – 5: Master Class with Marilyn Crispell
7 – 8:30: Saxophone Workshop with Greg Osby / Drum Workshop with Gerald Cleaver
8 – 11: Club Performances

Wednesday, May 24
10 – 12: Ensemble 1
12 – 1: Lunchtime Concert
1 – 3: Ensemble 2
3:30 – 5: Master Class with Rez Abbasi
7 – 8:30: Bass Workshop with Scott Colley/Brass Workshop with Dave Douglas
8 – 11: Club Performances

Thursday, May 25
10 – 12: Ensemble 1
1 – 3: Ensemble 2
3:30 – 5: Master Class with Greg Osby
7 – 8:30: Guitar Workshop with Rez Abbasi/Piano Workshop with Marilyn Crispell
8 – 11: Club Performances

Friday, May 26
10 – 12: Artist Management and Music Business with Sophia Wong and Dave Douglas
1 – 2:30: Master Class with Scott Colley & Gerald Cleaver
3 – 5: Composers’ Workshop with Dave Douglas
7:00: Faculty rehearsal
8 – 11: Club

Saturday, May 27
Concert

To Come:

Week 2 – Dave Douglas, Marcus Strickland, Adam Benjamin, Brad Jones, DJ Olive, Gene Lake, Joe Ferla.

Week 3 – Dave Douglas, Donny McCaslin, Deron Johnson, James Genus, Clarence Penn.