JAM Magazine: June/July 1997 Issue: The International Summer Jazz Academy

THE INTERNATIONAL SUMMER JAZZ ACADEMY
And An Area Jazz Professor's Annual Trek to Poland

"Music is the international language," as the adage goes.

And so, it could be said, is jazz.

Partly due to Willis Conover's jazz broadcasts over the "Voice of America" in the 1950s, a passion for jazz was ignited in communist Central and Eastern Europe. The country where the passion burned brightest was Poland. Tomasz Stanko, Zbigniew Namyslowski, Adam Makowicz, Krzysztof Komeda, Jan Wrobolewski, Michal Urbaniak and Urszula Dudziak are just a few of the virtuoso Polish jazz artists emerging since 1960. And Warsaw's "Jazz Jamboree" annually draws the greatest American and European artists performing to rousing audiences.

Mike Parkinson, director of jazz studies at the UMKC Conservatory of Music, has experienced first hand the love of jazz in Poland by people of all ages. As a result of a 1992 concert at UMKC by the Krakow Youth Jazz Ensemble, Parkinson accepted an invitation to teach and perform in Krakow, Poland in March 1993. He met a remarkable people enjoying the first fruits of freedom and eager to learn about jazz. He returned to Poland in 1994 and 1995 as a
faculty member for the International Summer Jazz Academy (ISJA) and in 1996 as Artistic Director.

A self-proclaimed "Polophile," Parkinson eagerly discusses his work as vice president of the Polish & American Youth Jazz Foundation (P&AYJF), the ISJA, and the country he has grown to love. When asked why he continues to return to Poland, Parkinson replies, "Because that's where the action is, where people are hungry for knowledge, where freedom is important and where jazz is really appreciated." He has delved into Polish literature, culture and history and is slowly learning the Polish language which he says is "beautiful though treacherously difficult."

The International Summer Jazz Academy provides talented youth from Poland with the materials and training to experience the freedom and disciplined expression of jazz through interaction with prominent American and Polish artists. The first ISJA was held in Krakow in 1994 with 50 students. The 1996 ISJA was held in Warsaw with 84 students. In 1997 100 students from Poland and other European nations are expected to attend. The ISJA this year will take place August 1-14 at the century-old Frederick Chopin State Secondary Music School, home of the only secondary school jazz program in Poland.

The Polish & American Youth Jazz Foundation, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization founded in 1991, helps sponsor and organize the ISJA. The P&AYJF president is Larry Srubas, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, and an independent marketing communications consultant for Golden Trumpet Communications. "For me," says Srubas, "the most satisfying aspect of what our foundation is involved with is not the music itself. As someone of half Polish ancestry, I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the young people of Poland. Our activities over the last seven years have allowed us to open people's minds to new ideas, and to give them greater self-confidence through musical accomplishments."

"(Poland is) where the action is, where people are hungry for knowledge, where freedom is important and where jazz is really appreciated." -- Mike Parkinson

The ISJA is the only event sponsored by American and Polish organizations that brings together educators, performers and students for an intense two week academy. Numerous American and Polish concerns have lent support including UMKC, the Helen S. Boylan Foundation, the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, the Polish National Alliance, the Kosciuszko Foundation, the American Embassy in Warsaw, the Ministry of Culture and the Mayor of Warsaw. Large amounts of music and supplies have been donated by Jamey Aebersold, United Musical Instruments, Wingert-Jones Music, Luyben Music, Hume Music and Funk's Music. Support has been provided by Warren Durrett, James Knox, B. E. Smith Inc. and anonymous donors for UMKC student travel and Polish student scholarships.

Poland's economy suffers from high inflation with its currency expected to lose one fourth of its value this year. Tuition for the 1996 ISJA was the equilivant of $200, equal to half the monthly salary of many Polish workers. This year the fee will be close to $300. Tuition only partially pays the academy's expenses. Identifying donors to help fund the ISJA is an ongoing task for Parkinson and Srubas.

The 1997 American faculty includes Mike Parkinson, trumpet/UMKC, Paul DeMarinis, woodwinds/Webster University, Gary Wittner, guitar/University of Maine, and two UMKC alumni, Gerald Trottman, voice, composer, conductor in New York, and Sam Platt, one of Kansas City's finest percussionists. The Polish faculty includes Wlodek Pawlik, piano, Zbigniew Wegehaupt, bass, Cezary Konrad, percussion, Krzysztof Maciejowski and Maciej Strzelczyk, violin. Maciejowski, Parkinson, Pawlik, Platt, Strzelczyk, Trottman and Wittner have served the ISJA previously.

Five UMKC students will serve as assistants: Paul Schrage, piano, Paul Roberts, piano/trombone, Matt Pittman, bass, Ryan Bennett, drums and Kyle Dunn, guitar. The Americans will be joined by Lukasz Zygmunt, a bassist from Krakow and member of the 1992 Krakow Youth Jazz Ensemble. He is one of two Polish students hoping to attend UMKC this fall. The Americans take classes with the Poles and perform concerts for the ISJA and the public.

The curriculum includes master classes, improvisation, history, theory, composition, combos, big band, vocal and string ensembles, all reflecting an inclusive approach. The faculty has maximum contact with students of all levels throughout the day. The Americans teach in English, using some Polish terminology at Parkinson's insistence. Many students understand English and translate quickly for those who do not.

The Academy concludes with a grand finale concert by the student ensembles at the Akwarium, Central Europe's famed club. A standing-room-only audience of proud parents, enthusiastic fans and appreciative musicians gathered last year to hear music by artists such as Coltrane, Ellington, Gillespie, Parker and the ISJA students. This event provides many students with their first major jazz performance experience. The day after the concert a formal graduation ceremony is held at the Chopin School. Each student receives an ISJA certificate and a compact disc with text donated by Jamey Aebersold.

The American participants at ISJA gain appreciation for the great changes and hardships faced by many Poles in their everyday lives. The Poles gain insight into American life that is far different from the image presented by the media. Most importantly the ISJA brings together American and Polish education, civic, church and business leaders and concerned individuals for a common cause.

As mentioned earlier, funds for the ISJA come from many sources since tuition cannot cover faculty and student assistant expenses, facilities and equipment rental and staff salaries. Donations are tax deductible through the Polish & American Youth Jazz Foundation. If you are interested in learning more about the ISJA and how you could help make a difference, contact Mike Parkinson at UMKC at 235-2905. And be prepared to meet "Poland's most enthusiastic unofficial ambassador to Kansas City.

RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		THE INTERNATIONAL SUMMER JAZZ ACADEMY And An Area Jazz Professor's Annual Trek to Poland "Music is the international language," as the adage goes. And so, it could be said, is jazz. Partly due to Willis Conover's jazz broadcasts over the "Voice of America" in the 1950s, a passion for jazz was ignited in communist Central and Eastern Europe. The country where the passion burned brightest was Poland. Tomasz Stanko, Zbigniew Namyslowski, Adam Makowicz, Krzysztof Komeda, Jan Wrobolewski, Michal Urbaniak and Urszula Dudziak are just a few of the virtuoso Polish jazz artists emerging since 1960. And Warsaw's "Jazz Jamboree" annually draws the greatest American and European artists performing to rousing audiences. Mike Parkinson, director of jazz studies at the UMKC Conservatory of Music, has experienced first hand the love of jazz in Poland by people of all ages. As a result of a 1992 concert at UMKC by the Krakow Youth Jazz Ensemble, Parkinson accepted an invitation to teach and perform in Krakow, Poland in March 1993. He met a remarkable people enjoying the first fruits of freedom and eager to learn about jazz. He returned to Poland in 1994 and 1995 as a faculty member for the International Summer Jazz Academy (ISJA) and in 1996 as Artistic Director. A self-proclaimed "Polophile," Parkinson eagerly discusses his work as vice president of the Polish & American Youth Jazz Foundation (P&AYJF), the ISJA, and the country he has grown to love. When asked why he continues to return to Poland, Parkinson replies, "Because that's where the action is, where people are hungry for knowledge, where freedom is important and where jazz is really appreciated." He has delved into Polish literature, culture and history and is slowly learning the Polish language which he says is "beautiful though treacherously difficult." The International Summer Jazz Academy provides talented youth from Poland with the materials and training to experience the freedom and disciplined expression of jazz through interaction with prominent American and Polish artists. The first ISJA was held in Krakow in 1994 with 50 students. The 1996 ISJA was held in Warsaw with 84 students. In 1997 100 students from Poland and other European nations are expected to attend. The ISJA this year will take place August 1-14 at the century-old Frederick Chopin State Secondary Music School, home of the only secondary school jazz program in Poland. The Polish & American Youth Jazz Foundation, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization founded in 1991, helps sponsor and organize the ISJA. The P&AYJF president is Larry Srubas, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, and an independent marketing communications consultant for Golden Trumpet Communications. "For me," says Srubas, "the most satisfying aspect of what our foundation is involved with is not the music itself. As someone of half Polish ancestry, I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the young people of Poland. Our activities over the last seven years have allowed us to open people's minds to new ideas, and to give them greater self-confidence through musical accomplishments." "(Poland is) where the action is, where people are hungry for knowledge, where freedom is important and where jazz is really appreciated." -- Mike Parkinson The ISJA is the only event sponsored by American and Polish organizations that brings together educators, performers and students for an intense two week academy. Numerous American and Polish concerns have lent support including UMKC, the Helen S. Boylan Foundation, the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, the Polish National Alliance, the Kosciuszko Foundation, the American Embassy in Warsaw, the Ministry of Culture and the Mayor of Warsaw. Large amounts of music and supplies have been donated by Jamey Aebersold, United Musical Instruments, Wingert-Jones Music, Luyben Music, Hume Music and Funk's Music. Support has been provided by Warren Durrett, James Knox, B. E. Smith Inc. and anonymous donors for UMKC student travel and Polish student scholarships. Poland's economy suffers from high inflation with its currency expected to lose one fourth of its value this year. Tuition for the 1996 ISJA was the equilivant of $200, equal to half the monthly salary of many Polish workers. This year the fee will be close to $300. Tuition only partially pays the academy's expenses. Identifying donors to help fund the ISJA is an ongoing task for Parkinson and Srubas. The 1997 American faculty includes Mike Parkinson, trumpet/UMKC, Paul DeMarinis, woodwinds/Webster University, Gary Wittner, guitar/University of Maine, and two UMKC alumni, Gerald Trottman, voice, composer, conductor in New York, and Sam Platt, one of Kansas City's finest percussionists. The Polish faculty includes Wlodek Pawlik, piano, Zbigniew Wegehaupt, bass, Cezary Konrad, percussion, Krzysztof Maciejowski and Maciej Strzelczyk, violin. Maciejowski, Parkinson, Pawlik, Platt, Strzelczyk, Trottman and Wittner have served the ISJA previously. Five UMKC students will serve as assistants: Paul Schrage, piano, Paul Roberts, piano/trombone, Matt Pittman, bass, Ryan Bennett, drums and Kyle Dunn, guitar. The Americans will be joined by Lukasz Zygmunt, a bassist from Krakow and member of the 1992 Krakow Youth Jazz Ensemble. He is one of two Polish students hoping to attend UMKC this fall. The Americans take classes with the Poles and perform concerts for the ISJA and the public. The curriculum includes master classes, improvisation, history, theory, composition, combos, big band, vocal and string ensembles, all reflecting an inclusive approach. The faculty has maximum contact with students of all levels throughout the day. The Americans teach in English, using some Polish terminology at Parkinson's insistence. Many students understand English and translate quickly for those who do not. The Academy concludes with a grand finale concert by the student ensembles at the Akwarium, Central Europe's famed club. A standing-room-only audience of proud parents, enthusiastic fans and appreciative musicians gathered last year to hear music by artists such as Coltrane, Ellington, Gillespie, Parker and the ISJA students. This event provides many students with their first major jazz performance experience. The day after the concert a formal graduation ceremony is held at the Chopin School. Each student receives an ISJA certificate and a compact disc with text donated by Jamey Aebersold. The American participants at ISJA gain appreciation for the great changes and hardships faced by many Poles in their everyday lives. The Poles gain insight into American life that is far different from the image presented by the media. Most importantly the ISJA brings together American and Polish education, civic, church and business leaders and concerned individuals for a common cause. As mentioned earlier, funds for the ISJA come from many sources since tuition cannot cover faculty and student assistant expenses, facilities and equipment rental and staff salaries. Donations are tax deductible through the Polish & American Youth Jazz Foundation. If you are interested in learning more about the ISJA and how you could help make a difference, contact Mike Parkinson at UMKC at 235-2905. And be prepared to meet "Poland's most enthusiastic unofficial ambassador to Kansas City. RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.