back to calendar ›

The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz

Share this event:

Come hear the Best of the Best from the world-renown Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. Named after the late jazz icon, the Institute at the Hartt School of Music has been the providing young minds the essential knowledge and skills necessary to achieve and sustain a career in one of the most revered American art forms, Jazz. Join us for a special night of music as a select group of students perform on our Hartford stage.

Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz

Connect with this artist:

harttweb.hartford.edu

Artist Bio

Jackie McLean was a man of high principles and someone with an uncompromising love for the American art form known as jazz.  As an icon of the idiom, Jackie passed on his legacy and passion by founding the jazz program at The Hartt School.  Today the jazz faculty continues to impart Mr. McLean’s ideals by offering a curriculum that provides essential knowledge and skills necessary for a career in jazz music.  With thorough study and analysis of the jazz tradition, Hartt students begin to develop their own creative voice.

Whether a planned performance in New York City, outreach presentations in the public schools, campus concerts, or lunchtime performances in downtown Hartford, Hartt students perform regularly.

The Jackie McLean Institute is steadfast in teaching the history and tradition of jazz music since its 20th century inception.  Jazz masters such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane are studied to acquaint students with historical, musical and cultural perspectives.  Students have weekly private instruction and perform as members of large and small ensembles that rehearse twice weekly.  Additional study in jazz transcription, arranging, music history, music business and sound technology are part of a comprehensive curriculum.  Also importantly, students work closely and accomplished faculty members where they are individually mentored toward success as a professional jazz performer.

Each year, through the Visiting Artists Series, students are able to meet, perform, and discuss artistic and practical ideas with internationally recognized jazz performers.  Interactions with jazz masters both inspire and inform Hartt students about what it takes to have a successful career in jazz.  Visiting artists have included: Hank Jones, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Barry Harris, Wynton Marsalis, Yusef Lateef, Kenny Baron, Gary Bartz, Cedar Walton, Christian McBride, Larry Willis, John Abercrombie, Mulgrew Miller, Charles Toliver, Bertha Hope, and Carl Allen.

Jazz Ensembles

The Jackie McLean Institute jazz ensembles are instructed by Javon Jackson, Steve Davis, René McLean, Nat Reeves, Abraham Burton, and Chris Casey.  Student explore through performance, the rich history of ever-evolving jazz styles.  Students learn and memorize jazz compositions for public performance and strengthen their ensemble playing and improvisation skills.

---

buy tickets for this show ›

Other Shows you may be interested in:

David Sanborn Lee Ritenour Manhattan Transfer Christmas Show