Patel Conservatory presents the Straz Student Jazz Festival

If you’re a musician who’d like to learn more about jazz from professionals in the industry, please join us for a unique educational experience!

Straz Student Jazz Festival

Saturday, April 13

Dave Rudolph is one of many jazz
professionals teaching at the Straz
Student Jazz Festival.

The Straz Student Jazz Festival provides student musicians the opportunity to work and perform together, and to learn from the best.

Student jazz ensembles from area schools, including Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, Durant High School in Plant City and Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, will improvise and jam together throughout the day in workshops.

“The student jazz festival is a great example of what the Straz and Patel are made for. It’s really a great way to share our resources with arts students and educators in the community,” said Wendy Leigh, vice-president of education at the Straz Center.

One of the guest instructors for the workshops will be Noah Bellamy, the trombonist for K.C. and the Sunshine Band

Other workshop leaders include jazz musicians T.J. Glowacki, James Crumbly, Jr., Butch Thomas, Dave Rudolph and Valerie Gillespie. Band clinics will be led by Chris DeLeon, and Frank Williams.

“People studying music are all on the same path,” said Patel Conservatory percussion instructor Dave Rudolph.

“Whether you’re a beginner learning the basic vocabulary... or an advanced student ready to take on solo concepts...It’s all about lifelong learning. As a teacher, I try to draw students a little further down that path, wherever they may be,” he said.

Rudolph performs regularly with jazz artist Valerie Gillespie and her trio, and he’ll lead the rhythm session of the breakout sessions.

Breakout sessions in the afternoon for brass, woodwinds, rhythm and vocals will allow musicians to focus on their areas of expertise.

Patel Conservatory music and vocal arts students are encouraged to attend the breakout sessions, which are open to individual musicians.

The festival will culminate in a free concert by the students, open to the public, on the Riverwalk at the Straz Center at 4 p.m.

The evening will end with the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, playing at the Straz Center in Ferguson Hall at 7:30 p.m.*

Pre-registration for the Straz Student Jazz Festival is required.

The cost for individuals registering for the breakout session (from 2 to 3:30 p.m.) is $15 per student.

For more information or to register, please contact Dee Lynch at 813.222.1002 or Deborah.Lynch@strazcenter.org.

*Tickets to the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour are included for ensembles registered for the student festival. Individuals who wish to attend the show can purchase tickets through the Straz Center box office at 813-229-7827 or strazcenter.org.