First Annual Baltimore Jazz Composers Showcase
The First Annual Jazz Composers Showcase
By George F. Spicka with Jane Lamar
Ever since Scott Joplin starting composing Rags, there has been an affinity between jazz and classical music, in the fact that they both often share the same spirit of technical excellence and creativity.
This same affinity and spirit of creativity exists in Baltimore today, where new music is being composed by those representing each art form, and some even attempting to meld the two.
Combinations of Classical-style music and jazz idioms have been heard before but with each new offering, it gives the genre a refreshing new listen. From Debussy in the very late 19th, and early 20th Century to Kurt Weill, mid 20th Century composer of the Three Penny Opera and a number of well-known Broadway favorites, the Classical / Jazz mixture has provided the very flavor of Modern music.
In the 1920’s, at the apex of America’s “Jazz Age,” European composers would visit Harlem to hear and learn from out then current jazz masters.
As writer Jane Lamar has said, “Reflecting upon my 10 years as jazz columnist for Music Monthly Magazine, there are a number of jazz composers in the area whose work had virtually gone unnoticed by the city. I feel that some of these people create music that is on the same level of artists that are known internationally. They need to be recognized.”
This showcase is to be the first in an ongoing yearly event, that will help in furthering Baltimore's image as a city that promotes and encourages the development of new art, in this specific case, the creation of new music. The combination of talent featuring the Baltimore Composers Forum and the Baltimore Jazz Alliance is bound to be an unforgettable and interesting blend of original music never before heard in our city!
For the premiere event, rather then have an open submission; composer recommendations were made from both boards of the BCF and the BJA. Then a special committee met twice and reviewed CD’s and cassettes of all nominated candidates.
By George F. Spicka with Jane Lamar
Ever since Scott Joplin starting composing Rags, there has been an affinity between jazz and classical music, in the fact that they both often share the same spirit of technical excellence and creativity.
This same affinity and spirit of creativity exists in Baltimore today, where new music is being composed by those representing each art form, and some even attempting to meld the two.
Combinations of Classical-style music and jazz idioms have been heard before but with each new offering, it gives the genre a refreshing new listen. From Debussy in the very late 19th, and early 20th Century to Kurt Weill, mid 20th Century composer of the Three Penny Opera and a number of well-known Broadway favorites, the Classical / Jazz mixture has provided the very flavor of Modern music.
In the 1920’s, at the apex of America’s “Jazz Age,” European composers would visit Harlem to hear and learn from out then current jazz masters.
As writer Jane Lamar has said, “Reflecting upon my 10 years as jazz columnist for Music Monthly Magazine, there are a number of jazz composers in the area whose work had virtually gone unnoticed by the city. I feel that some of these people create music that is on the same level of artists that are known internationally. They need to be recognized.”
This showcase is to be the first in an ongoing yearly event, that will help in furthering Baltimore's image as a city that promotes and encourages the development of new art, in this specific case, the creation of new music. The combination of talent featuring the Baltimore Composers Forum and the Baltimore Jazz Alliance is bound to be an unforgettable and interesting blend of original music never before heard in our city!
For the premiere event, rather then have an open submission; composer recommendations were made from both boards of the BCF and the BJA. Then a special committee met twice and reviewed CD’s and cassettes of all nominated candidates.
The Greg Thompkins Jazz Ensemble
