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GLOBAL JAZZ OUTREACH
- the IAJE-WI / ARGENTINA CONNECTION
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Steve Zenz
Vice President,
IAJE-WI
I have been involved in performing and the teaching of music for over
forty years, and currently teach in the Slinger School District and the
Shell Lake Arts Center summer Jazz Ensemble and Classic Combo Camps. I
have been involved in Jazz Education for my entire career, as a player,
clinician and daily teacher. I am a drummer and I specialize in
teaching younger jazz students. This is the second
time I've been part of the leadership of the Wisconsin Unit of IAJE and
am honored and humbled to be part of this fine group once again.
In the Summer of 2005 I had an extraordinary experience studying the
culture and
music of Argentina for nearly a month. During that time I met many
musicians and teachers and discovered a culture that loves and wishes
to learn more about jazz. Much of my time was spent in the central city
of Cordoba, but I also visited northern Patagonia. I had numerous
opportunities to perform with local musicians and share my jazz
teaching skills with a sizable number of teachers.
I was overwhelmed by the response of the students, teachers and
listeners. The culture is "thirsty" for our music. The positive
response was overwhelming and life altering for me and set in motion
plans for the growth of jazz in Argentina and further collaborations
between our two countries. Some of the projects that were started while
I was there include the opening of a week long Jazz Camp that will
start, hopefully next July during their winter break, the eventual
organization of a Jazz Repertory Orchestra of the city of Cordoba
(Population 1.4 million) and the further exchange of teachers and
students.
In October of 2005, rthe Wisconsin Unit of IAJE voted to "adopt"
Argentina and the
city of Cordoba as a special place, worthy of out interest and time.
Currently I am trying to collect as many big band charts as possible,
at all levels and send them to my friend and colleague German Simon at
LaEsculaita de Musica in Cordoba. I hate to use the word "copy" and
offend any writers, but there is little or no money available by or for
anyone involved with this endeavor.
This past year has seen some extraordinary growth in our musical
exchange program in Cordoba.
In January and February of 2006 German Siman from the Esculita de
Musica in Cordoba spent four weeks Wisconsin. During his time here he
did guest appearances at the Slinger Jazz Festival, Carthage college,
Sheboygan and Janesville. German's expertise as a Latin Percussionist
and a representative of the country of Argentina was very well received
by all he visited.
During April, I returned to Argentina to premiere the Cordoba Jazz
Orchestra. a traditional big band of roughly twenty musicians was well
received by a large audience in the new Ciudad de Arts (City of arts)
recently opened in the City of Cordoba. A drumset clinic was also
presented by myself and German to a very receptive audience sponsored
in part by Sabian Cymbals.
During July German was a guest artist at the Shell Lake Arts Center.
His playing of Latin American instruments, as well as drumset, was a
wonderful addition to the curriculum of the camp. He also taught a one
week graduate class in Latin Percussion to a very enthusiastic group of
teachers. Two students of the Combo Camp were awarded
scholarships to next years Cordoba Jazz Camp.
The highlight of the summer was the first Cordoba Jazz Camp that was
held in the small city of Jesus Maria, Argentina. The sight of the camp
was an old Jesuit Monastery that has been expanded over the years to be
a regional Catholic Secondary School. I was accompanied by Tim Bell
from UW-Parkside and Lennie Foy of Depauw University; both faculty
member of the Shell Lake Arts Center. The folks from Cordoba spent many
hours cleaning and refurbishing some of the old monks living quarters
to accommodate both students and staff. The attendance was small but
very enthusiastic. With approximately 35 students and ten Argentine
teachers and technicians there were enough students to create five
combos.
The students were good learners and the teachers were excellent
in communicating the artistry of jazz. The language barrier presented
very few problems as each combo had at least one bilingual member.
Later in the week everyone assembled for a traditional Argentine
"asado" or barbeque. The event was extraordinary as everyone was drawn
together by the common love of music. The final concert was held at a
local club. Parents and friends of the musicians were astounded at the
growth that occurred within five short days. As! the evening concluded,
scholarships were awarded to two of the most improved students of the
camp to attend two weeks at the Shell Lake Art Center next summer. Most
students couldn't wait to return next year.
The Cordoba Jazz Orchestra was featured at the "Teatro de San Martin",
one of the oldest and most magnificent theatres in south america. the
band was well received with excellent reviews. Lennie, Tim and I were
featured soloists along with the Argentine musicians.
German will return to the United States in January and February for
another four weeks of appearances and clinics. If you have an interest
in featuring him at your school, please contact the Shell Lake Arts
Center (715-468-2414) to make arrangements. He will again be part of
the Shell Lake faculty this summer offering an Introductory course in
Latin Percussion as well as a follow up to last years class. Graduate
credit is available through the College of St. Thomas.
We are hoping that more Americans can take part in this truly unique
experience. This years Cordoba Jazz Camp will be held the third week in
July. Anyone interested in offering assistance would be most welcome.
The ideal stay in Argentina is two weeks, allowing extra time to
explore this beautiful country.Six graduate credits from the University
of St. Thomas can be obtained through Global_Links.com, under the
supervision of Carol LeBreck, Faculty Emeritus at UW-River Falls
if an additional week of study is included. If interested call me:
Steve Zenz
dadzomar@aol.com
2325 W. Bernard Ln.
Milwaukee, Wi 53209
414-352-5659
We are also looking for any "junk'
instruments that could be donated as I know a sax player that swears he
can fix "anything". If you have anything to donate or would like to
become part of this ongoing project please contact me.
This is a wonderful opportunity to "give back" something very
significant to all of us and help some amazing and intelligent people
from an extremely sophisticated culture. Jazz is our only native art
form. Let's share it with some people from another country who really
want to learn. This is just the start of a wonderful relationship
between jazz
educators of the United States and Argentina.
I have included an article written by Sol Amaya, a graduate student in
journalism from Cordoba, about what went on last summer. I hope you
enjoy it and choose to become part of this very important collaboration.
MUSIC FOR PEACE
by Sol Amaya
United States music is traveling all the way to
Argentina. Many new activities influenced by North American art are
taking
place in this southern country, especially in the city of Cordoba.
This Argentinean city welcomes people from every
country and of different cultures. One of the aspects that have been
growing
during the last years thanks to these influences is Music. A special
style is
developing very interesting projects between South American people, and
that
style is Jazz.
Thanks to the cooperation of Dr.
Carol LeBreck, who is in charge of a very
important international Programme (Global-Links), Dr.Hugo Olmos, from the San Agust’n Foundation,
and the influence of Wisconsin drummer and educator Steve Zenz, Jazz music is becoming more and
more important in Argentina.
Last July, Mr. Zenz presence in Cordoba allowed
the organization of special jazz concerts, with students and
professionals from
the music school La Escuelita, Escuela de Mœsica Cordoba, which is run by Principal German
Siman, also an
excellent drummer. One of these concerts, together with an educational
presentation took place in the most important theatre of the city,
Teatro San
Mart’n.
These kinds of events are just the beginning of
a new era in Jazz and it's fusion
with Latin music. This group of people is planning to organize a Jazz
Camp
directly patterned after the very successful Shell Lake Arts Center
Jazz Camp
of northern Wisconsin, which has been in existence for nearly forty
years to
Cordoba, to exchange influences between USA and Argentinean artists.
Next July
(2006),this new Jazz Camp will take place in Cordoba's countryside, and
it is
hoped that many North American and Argentine musicians will participate
in this
experience. This way, artists from both countries will be taking part
in the
advancement of Jazz and Latin Music.
Hard work for a good cause
Apart from participating in
interviews, going to radio stations,
instructing teachers and students from the music school, both Mr. Zenz
and Mr.
Siman, also had time to share ideas in an effort to help Peace grow
between
different countries. Music is a universal language. It is a perfect way
to
communicate peacefully and help people to understand each others
culture and
commanality.
Going through Cordoba's main theatres and
cultural spots, Steve Zenz became inspired to continue his job as a
world wide
educator. Together with Dr. Olmos and Mr. Siman, they have been
gathering
people who want to participate in this cause. It's been difficult work,
and
more and more effort will be needed, but it's a very important project
and
worth investing many people's time and energy.
The City of Cordoba embraced
Mr Zenz ideas immediately.
Teachers and students are very thankful for the opportunity of learning
more
about jazz and North American culture.
Music and Communication
Promoting the study of new styles and cultures
among students and educators helps the development of World Peace. By
experiencing and performing each other's music, these professionals are
giving
students the opportunity to learn and enjoy; and to create bounds
between North
and South Americans. It is highly significant for both countries to
work and
learn with people that make so much effort and travel worldwide to
spread
messages of peace using music as a common language.
Music is an ideal way to communicate between
people who speak different languages, yet share the desire for a more
peaceful
world. The people of Latin America are willing to be influenced by
peoples from
all over the world to enrich their culture, to get to share, to make
people
realize that different does not mean enemy, that we, human beings, have
the
future of humanity in our hands.
In a world going through a continual crisis,
where global war and economic uncertainty increase poverty and famine,
our
small efforts can make huge differences.
We know the power of music and how it can
affect change in the world.
We are sure
that this is one very important way
to start these changes. Great things start as small ideas. We know that
participating
in these projects to share cultures using our love of music, can be a
big
contribution to World Peace.
Webmaster: jazztrp@curranmusic.com
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