APPRENTICESHIP APPROACH TO LEARNING JAZZ

The Richmond Youth Jazz Guild utilizes the jazz tradition of apprenticeship to mentor student musicians. Our“master-apprentice” instructional model taps professional/ practicing musicians as instructors, their expertise is rooted in real-world experience. Student musicians learn during weekly ensemble instruction, master-classes, technology delivered curriculum, performances and college/ career workshops. RYJG students have had the opportunity to learn from the following Jazz professionals: Frank Foster, Trombone Shorty, Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Terri Lyne Carrington, Christian McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Quincy Jones.

JAZZ MENTOR'S PROJECT

The Jazz Mentor’s Project is an educational outreach program through the not-for-profit organizataion, JAZZ ARTS CONSORTIUM. which provides unprecedented access for underserved youth to high quality music education through apprenticeship. The apprenticeship relationship dates back to the dawn of recorded history: nothing is more fundamental to the growth of human society. Jazz is no exception, and for decades apprenticeship was the unspoken rule for veteran bandleaders and aspiring players. The JAC has brought back the “apprenticeship” model back to raise the next crop of young jazz musicians in Richmond, VA; passing the torch to the next generation.

Students at the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild are mentored weekly by professional composers and musicians of the Jazz Arts Consortium. The JAC has raised funds for the project through concerts. In 2010 , PASS THE TORCH CONCERT featured the then 23 year-old, Troy “TROMBONE SHORTY” Andrews. Andrews, a New Orleans native has since skyrocketted the recording charts. RYJG students participated in a master class with “Trombone Shorty” and then witnessed a high energy concert at Richmond’s CenterStage Gottwald Playhouse. The first jazz concert to be held in the newly built CenterStage facility in Richmond, VA.