Fourth Annual BJA Jazz Conference a Big Success

[Photos: The Thomas Schinabeck Quartet]

On Saturday, April 26–fittingly during Jazz Appreciation Month—the Baltimore Jazz Alliance (BJA) held its fourth annual Jazz Conference, a day-long free event in which Baltimore’s jazz-loving community gathers for talks and discussions on topics related to jazz, enjoy a free lunch, and a free concert. Did I say it was all free? 

After a 10 am meeting of BJA members in which BJA president Tyrone Crawley reviewed the accomplishments and programs of the BJA over the past year, conference attendees could choose which of several 40-minute sessions to attend. These included:

• Digital marketing, led by digital strategist Charmaine Michelle. She explained how to create an eye-catching online brand to help get you booked and build a fanbase.
• Jazz Summer Camps. Barbara Grubbs of Contemporary Arts, Inc. and John Lampkin II of the B-Sharp academy will talk about their summer jazz programs for kids and the importance of jazz education for kids.
• Venue Owners/Managers: Bob Diener of Glenwood Grill and Emma Hoey of the Atlas Restaurant Group discussed what factors booking agents consider when booking jazz artists for a restaurant or club. Most important was to know the audience.
• Jazz Educators: Dave Ballou, head of jazz studies at Towson University, talked about jazz education and the various paths that an aspiring jazz musician can take.
• What is Jazz: A lively and free-ranging conversation considered the always shifting boundaries of what qualifies as “jazz” and how the various subgenres blend or morph into each other. Panelists included saxophonists Derrick Michaels, Terry Koger, and Ebban Dorsey, and BJA board member Liz Fixsen moderated.
• Vocal jazz Workshop: Prominent vocalist Anna-Lisa Kirby led workshop for practicing and aspiring jazz vocalists on how to work and interact with a rhythm section. Pianist Alan Blackman and bassist Obasi Akoto provided accompaniment.
• Headline speaker: Paul Carr, a well-known jazz saxophonist, founder of Jazz Academy of Music (which hosts summer camps and jazz ensembles for kids throughout the year), and executive of the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Paul Carr talked about the state of jazz today in Baltimore and beyond, and what it takes to have a successful career in jazz.
• Jazz Jam Sessions: Violinist Max Jacobs, who recently gave a presentation at Strathmore on the topic, moderated a discussion about the ins-and-outs of hosting a jam session and what etiquette participants should observe in a session.  Participants included Clarence Ward II, leader of the Monday night “The Session,” and Bill Freed, leader of a Thursday-night session at City Chef’s in Bowie. 
• Up-and-Coming Young Jazz musicians: Young jazz musicians, including upper-level students from Towson shared their stories of how they chose to pursue jazz, the helps and hindrances along their journey, and where they hope to go in the future. Moderated by young saxophonist Ephraim Dorsey. 
• Concert by the Thomas Schinabeck Quartet: Peabody saxophonist Thomas Schinabeck and his quartet, including Charlie Reichert Powell (guitar), Aiden Taylor (bass) and Koleby Royston (drums), have been making a name for themselves in Baltimore and beyond, with recent performances at An die Musik Live and Keystone Korner. 

All in all, the conference was a success – attendees were engaged and enthusiastic. A lunch of pasta bowls and salad was enjoyed by all, and the ending concert was a big hit.  Reactions included this from jazz saxophonist and one-time BJA board member Bob Jacobson: “Very good panels/keynote/concert, nice mix of attendees, very good facility, food — and a real community feeling.  … I especially enjoyed seeing so many students from Peabody Conservatory and Towson University, hearing what drew them to jazz and their thoughts about possible futures in music.”

The board of the BJA hopes that more Baltimore jazz-lovers and musicians will participate next year as this is one of our major endeavors to share ideas and make connections in the community.

–Liz Fixsen