Honoring the legacy of Jack Rudin, a longtime supporter of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the competition will provide participants with quality musical literature and a forum for celebrating their achievements, while instilling higher education methodology and philosophy to the Jazz at Lincoln Center programs.
“This will be the greatest collection of young jazz talent in recent history,” said Todd Stoll, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s vice president of education. “These 10 bands represent the highest level of achievement in our music by young people.”
The two-day invitational competition will include a combo showcase and a final concert featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in Rose Theater.
“It’s not just about winning, but the significance of being recognized among nationally acclaimed Jazz Programs,” Wiggins adds.
The ensembles will also participate in rehearsals, workshops and competition at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater. The final competition will feature performances by the top three bands, followed by an awards ceremony and announcement of the winner of top honors.
NCCU was the first university in the state to offer the Bachelor of Music degree in jazz studies. The program now includes a comprehensive vocal jazz component and offers a Master of Music in both jazz composition and jazz performance. Alumni from the Jazz Studies Program include professors at the college and university levels, teachers of primary and secondary music education, as well as production and performance artists.
To learn more about the competition, visit jazz.org.
Enjoy the sounds of NCCU's Jazz Ensemble as they practice for the upcoming performance here.
