Keeping School Cool since 1994
Keeping School Cool since 1994
Austin Jazz Workshop welcomed Shawn Ellison as the new Music Director of the nonprofit corporation. He recently led the ensemble through 101 performances between September 2021 and May 2022. Great work, Shawn!
As always, you can stay abreast of all things AJW by visiting us on Facebook!
Herbie Hancock Season–It’s a Wrap!
The AJW returned to live performance in 2021-22, performing on 101 campuses between September 2021 and May 2022. Many thanks to Shawn Ellison, joined by Glenn Rexach, Michael Stevens, Masumi Jones, Terrance McDaniel, Lee ‘Sparky’ Thomason, Brian Swartz, Gil Del Bosque, and Paulo Santos. Excellent job, everyone!
The Austin Jazz Workshop’s 27th season, dedicated to the great John Coltrane, performed live-streamed assemblies and interactive workshops for students on 110 campuses. Musicians for Coltrane included Mike Sailors, Lee “Sparky” Thomason, Shawn Ellison, Michael Stevens, Glenn Rexach, Kenny Felton, Masumi Jones, and Michael Melinger.
Did You Know…
The Austin Jazz Workshop can save you money on your taxes?
Charitable donations of stocks and mutual funds can be made directly to the Austin Jazz Workshop, thereby avoiding capital gains tax. Help out a good cause and lower your tax burden at the same time! For more information, contact Michael Melinger at ausjazz@gmail.com.
Epistrophy is our most recent CD recording, released in April 2017. Recorded at Arlyn Studios in Austin TX, the disc features Michael Melinger, Andre Hayward, Floyd Domino, Michael Stevens, and Norm Bergeron. Pick up your copy here . Also available at Waterloo Records, End of an Ear, and live appearances by the AJW.
Did You Know…
That you can donate to the AJW simply by shopping Amazon? It’s true! When ordering, point your browser to https://smile.amazon.com and specify the Austin Jazz Workshop as your chosen recipient charity. We will get a portion of every dollar you spend, donated by Amazon!
Part of our mission is to collaborate with student ensembles and other nonprofit groups on public events, as well as events for the general community.
The Austin Jazz Workshop offers reduced rates to nonprofit agencies in the Austin area for your benefits, fundraisers, and special events. It’s cheaper than you think to have top professionals provide live music for your organization! Contact us for a quote at ausjazz@gmail.com.
The Austin Jazz Workshop wrapped up its historic 21st season on May 29th, 2015. The program featured musicians Shawn Ellison, Floyd Domino, Michael Stevens, Glenn Rexach, Kevin Scott, Rob Kazenel, Jimmy Shortell, Adrian Ruiz, Keith Fiala, Michael Rey, Andre Hayward, Randy Zimmerman, Ken George, Mark ‘Speedy’ Gonzales, Seth Carper, Dan Torosian, Scott Benner, Marcus Wilcher, David Webb, and Michael Melinger. One hundred nineteen campuses across five school districts received the program that featured a ten-piece big band playing Count Basie classics. Additionally, the AJW performed seventeen public events, such as this one at Central Market.
Emerging Jazz Talent (EMJATA)
EMJATA is a weekly or bi-monthly performance opportunity for young jazzers of middle and high school age to sit in with the Austin Jazz Workshop in a safe and supportive public setting. The program has been on hiatus due to the pandemic since March of 2020, but we hope to get it up and running again sometime in 2022. Watch this space for future developments!
