Rubén P. Alvarez

Rubén P. Alvarez is a Chicago based Latin percussionist, drum set artist, author, composer, and educator. His performance and recording credits include movie soundtracks, radio and television jingles and performances and recordings with Grammy nominees Chuchito Valdés, and Ramsey Lewis. He currently performs with Chicago’s premier Latin jazz ensemble Chévere, Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and he is the leader and musical director the Raices Profundas Latin Music Ensemble. Rubén is on the faculty of Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, and Columbia College Chicago. He serves as a mentor for the Chicago Jazz Institute Jazz Links Chicago Public Schools residency program. He has presented clinics, master classes and as a keynote speaker numerous national and international educational conferences including PASIC the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention and the South African Jazz Educators Conference.

His educational articles have been featured in Down Beat magazine, Latin Percussion’s Reading, Writing, and Rhythm education newsletter, and the Zildjian Score. Ruben serves on the current board of directors of The Jazz Education Network, and is a member of Latin Percussion’s educational advisory board, and The Vic Firth Educational Team. Ruben endorses Latin Percussion, Vic Firth mallets and sticks, Zildjian cymbals, and Remo drumheads and percussion.

Paul Bangser

Paul Bangser has a dual career as a musician/music educator and practicing lawyer, dividing his time between the two professions. As a music teacher, he has spent time as director of guitar studies at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington D.C.’s performing arts high school, where he taught guitar, theory, and arranged for and led the school’s guitar ensemble. He currently runs a private teaching studio. As a performer, he has led his own jazz quintet at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and has performed over many years at various Washington D.C. venues. Paul has also been a practicing lawyer for over 25 years. Starting his career at law firms in Boston and Washington, DC, he represented clients in real estate, regulatory, and litigation matters. Later he moved to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at its DC headquarters, where he currently serves as a senior attorney handling regulatory and litigation matters. Mr. Bangser is a graduate of MIT and Boston College Law School.

Paul Chiaravalle

Paul Chiaravalle began his professional career in 1965 with the United States Military Academy Band at West Point and in June 1974, was appointed to the official ceremonial unit and escort to the President of the United States. During the Nation's Bicentennial, he participated in numerous White House ceremonies honoring such visiting dignitaries as Emperor Hirohito of Japan, the King and Queen of Spain, and the Queen of England. After his participation in the inauguration ceremony for President Jimmy Carter, he was appointed director of the Jazz Ambassadors, the Army's premier touring jazz ensemble.

After retiring from the military, he then accepted a position with the Walt Disney Company to manage and operate their International Festival, Educational Outreach, Guest Talent and Special Event Programs. He provided the authentic ethnic folkloric performers for Epcot from around the globe and contracted the guest talent utilized for the Walt Disney TV Specials and Movie Premieres.

After leaving the Disney Company, he headed up United Arts as President & CEO prior to accepting his current position in 2001 as Associate Vice President & Chief of Staff for Columbia College Chicago, the largest Media, Communications, and Arts College in the world.

John Clayton

The talents of John Clayton as bassist/composer/arranger/conductor are always in demand within the jazz industry. He graces the cover of JazzTimes Magazine in April, 2009 touting his skills as an arranger.

John has written and arranged music for Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Milt Jackson, Michael Buble, Regina Carter and others. He received a platinum record for his “The Star-Spangled Banner” arrangement sung by Whitney Houston during the 1991 Super Bowl, and has won numerous awards. John has received seven Grammy © nominations and in 2008, he received a Grammy © award for his arrangement of “I’m Going to Live Til I Die” featured on Queen Latifah’s CD “Travlin Light”.

John serves as the Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, which received the National Medal of Arts in 2007. He is also the Artistic Director for the Port Townsend Jazz Camp and the Vail Jazz Camp.

John co-leads the Grammy © nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with brother and saxophonist Jeff Clayton, and drummer Jeff Hamilton. John and Jeff also co-lead the Clayton Brothers Quintet. Both groups are actively touring and recording.

Clayton began his study of the double bass at 16 when under the tutelage of the famous Ray Brown. His discography includes more than 60 titles.

Orbert Davis

Orbert Davis is co-founder, conductor and artistic director of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, a 55+ piece symphonic jazz orchestra dedicated to multi-genre projects. He is also Clinical Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Winner of the 1995 Cognac Hennessy National Jazz Search, Orbert was chosen one of Chicago Tribune’s "1995 Arts People of the Year". Chicago Magazine named him "Y2k Best Trumpeter in Chicago" and "Chicagoan of the Year for 2002".

Mr. Davis' 2004 CD release entitled "Blue Notes”, was the follow-up to his critically acclaimed "Priority" CD, which garnered an LA Times 4-star review, hit Top-50 "most played on national radio" Jazz CDs in 2002 and was named Top-10 best Jazz CDs of 2002 by the Chicago Tribune. His latest CD, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic's "Collective Creativity", was released January 2009.

Mr. Davis has a Bachelor's degree in trumpet performance from DePaul University and a Master's degree in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University. He lives in Chicago with his wife Lisa, their two daughters, Zoe and Sydney, and their two sons, Donovan and Benjamin.

Orbert served on the JEN Steering Committee in 2008 as a Founding member.

Jose Diaz

Jose Antonio Diaz is the Director of the MacArthur High School Jazz Ensemble and Artistic Director for Diaz Music Institute in Houston, Texas. During his tenure, the group has garnered many first place awards in local, regional, and national level jazz ensemble competitions and has performed with such artists as Eddie Palmieri, Jon Faddis, Poncho Sanchez, Dave Valentin, and Arturo Sandoval, to name just a few.

Diaz's groups have performed twice for IAJE and five times for the Midwest Clinic. Diaz's success with the MacArthur High School Jazz Program was the subject of a featured cover story in SBO Magazine and Band Director's Guide Magazine. He received a Down Beat Magazine Award for Achievement in Jazz Education and was selected by FOX 26 and Univision Television stations as a Hispanic Hero. Recently, Diaz was inducted into the Texas Christian University Band of Fame. In June 2008 Jose received the prestigious Jefferson Award for his work with Diaz Music Institute.

Diaz is Past-president of IAJE-Texas Chapter, past member of the Da Camera of Houston Teacher Advisory Board and the Midwest Clinic Advisory Panel, co-author of Middle School Music Expressions™ and Jazz Expressions™ (Alfred Music Publication) and is an active composer, arranger, and clinician.

Dr. Lou Fischer

Dr. Lou Fischer is co-founder and membership manager of JEN. A Professor of Music, Lou acts as Jazz Studies Chair/Graduate Coordinator, jazz ensemble director at Capital University. A member of the UNT One O’Clock (‘71-‘74), Fischer holds a BM and MA from the University of Denver, and a Doctor of Arts from Ball State University.

As current jazz division head for Music For All, Lou’s forty-five year career represents a Who’s Who in Music, including composing and/or performing studio work, Broadway Shows, and extensive touring with The Crusaders, Red Rodney, Airto, Charlie Byrd, Andy Williams, Emmy Lou Harris, Woody Herman, Louis Bellson, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bill Watrous and Bobby Shew. Recordings include Beaux J Poo Boo All Things Are New; Steve Houghton’s Gershwin: The Manne We Love; Bill Watrous’ A Time For Love & Bone-i-fied; Shelly Berg’s The Joy; Frank Mantooth’s A Miracle; and Sunny Wilkinson’s High Wire, among others.

A Yamaha Bass Artist Representative, clinics/concerts include Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, Great Britain, Scandinavia, Mexico, and three hundred+ institutions across the U.S. Published by Hal Leonard, Walrus, and Alfred, Lou has directed All State Ensembles in Texas, North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Louisiana.

Willard Jenkins

Willard Jenkins is an independent arts consultant/producer, writer and broadcaster under his Open Sky banner. Willard Jenkins’ current activity includes concert, festival, and concert series planning/development, artistic direction, consulting, music journalism, teaching, and broadcast work.

From March 1989-November 1994, Jenkins was executive director of the National Jazz Service Organization (NJSO) in Washington, DC. During his NJSO tenure Jenkins directed every NJSO operation, including technical assistance & re-granting programs, publication services, and supervised a professional staff. In 1990 Jenkins was an architect of the pioneering Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest National Jazz Network (receiving an unprecedented – for jazz -- initial funding allocation of $3.4M), a network of presenting organizations and regional arts organizations.

Willard Jenkins is a successful fundraiser, securing or assisting in grant allocations from numerous public and private sources. These have included: the National Endowment for the Arts; numerous local, state, and regional arts agencies; Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund; Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; AT&T Foundation; Ford Foundation; Pew Charitable Trusts; Jim Beam Brands; Cleveland Foundation; Gund Foundation; Kulas Foundation, etc.

Willard has been appointed to the Board of Directors to complete the term of Steve Crissinger who resigned in March 2010.

Rick Kessel

Founding publisher of JAZZed magazine as well as SBO - School Band & Orchestra, and Choral Director magazines. Rick Kessel serves as publisher for Symphony Publishing's music education group of magazines which include, JAZZed, SBO - School Band & Orchestra, and CD - Choral Director magazines and also as associate publisher for MMR - Musical Merchandise Review.

Rick grew up in central New Jersey and holds a bachelor's degree in music and audio technology from Indiana University and an MBA from Clark University in Massachusetts.

Rick has over twenty five years experience in the magazine publishing field and was responsible for launching SBO magazine in 1998 and Choral Director Magazine in 2004, and JAZZed in 2006.

As a staunch advocate for music education, Rick has continually encouraged support for music in the schools in his numerous magazine editorials.

Rick's extensive background as a professional clarinetist and teacher has included performances with Luciano Pavarotti and Henry Mancini.

Rick is currently the principal clarinetist for Symphony Pro Musica in central Massachusetts, and is an active member of the American Bandmasters Association, MENC, and is a member of the board of directors of the Jazz Education Network.

Rick resides in Worcester, Massachusetts with his wife Cynthia and sons Samuel and Nathan.

Monika Herzig

In 1987, the pedagogical institute in Weingarten, Germany awarded a scholarship for a one-year exchange program at the University of Alabama to one of their students, jazz pianist Monika Herzig.  Together with her partner and guitarist Peter Kienle, she arrived in the States on a one-way ticket, with one suitcase of belongings and one guitar in August 1988. 
 
Since then she has completed her Doctorate in Music Education and Jazz Studies at Indiana University, where she is now a faculty member teaching courses in Music Industry, Community Arts Organizations, and Creative Thinking Techniques.  As a touring jazz artist, she has performed at many prestigious jazz clubs and festivals, such as the Indy Jazz Fest, Cleveland’s Nighttown, Louisville’s Jazz Factory, the W.C.Handy Festival, Jazz in July in Bloomington and Cincinnati, Columbus’ Jazz & Rib Fest, to name just a few.  Groups under her leadership have toured Germany, Italy, Japan, opened for acts such as Tower of Power, Sting, the Dixie Dregs, Yes, and more.
 
Recently, Herzig has been signed to the Owl Studios label and released the holiday CD “Peace on Earth”.  A CD/ DVD combo entitled “Come With Me” is set for publication in Spring 2011.  Her previous releases have received rave reviews.  Thomas Garner from Garageradio.com writes, “I was totally awed by the fine musicianship throughout”.  As a recipient of the 1994 Down Beat Magazine Award for her composition “Let’s Fool One” and with several Big Band Arrangements published with the University of Northern Colorado Press, Herzig has also gathered international recognition for her writing skills.

Mary Jo Papich

Mary Jo Papich, known for her avid support and leadership in jazz education, is Past President and Co-Founder of the Jazz Education Network (June 1, 2008). Serving public school education for 30+ years, she is currently Interim Director of Fine Arts Curriculum for the Niles District 219 (Niles North and Niles West High Schools) in Skokie, Illinois.  District 219 has been recognized as one of the most outstanding Fine Arts programs in the nation winning the prestigious Kennedy Center Award. She served 8 years as Fine Arts Chair at Highland Park High School (IL) and coordinated FOCUS ON THE ARTS festival, working with 400+ volunteers and 270 artists.  Her leadership positions in addition to JEN include: Founder of the Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival via HP Sister Cities Foundation, serving on the Artistic Access to Excellence Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts and as a member of the Quincy Jones Consortium, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Advisory Board, past Illinois Music Educators Association state board,  International Association for Jazz Education Executive Board of Directors, and Highland Park Cultural Arts Commission.

While the district Fine Arts Coordinator of 35 schools in the Peoria Public School System #150  (’92-’01), she founded and directed the Peoria Jazz All Stars whose performances included Montreux, North Sea, and Umbria Jazz Festivals, IMEA Conference, American School Board Association Conference and many other state and local events. Prior to her administrative position, Mary Jo was an award winning band director at Peoria’s Woodruff High School (‘82-’92).  Under her leadership the WHS Marching and Jazz Bands performed at the Florida Citrus Bowl, Georgia Peach Bowl, Chicago Holiday Parades, Macy’s in New York and many other competitions, festivals, and civic events. While at WHS, she was responsible for bringing in many jazz greats, including: Claudio Roditi, Red Rodney, Ron Modell, Arnie Lawrence, Marvin Stamm, Maynard Ferguson, John Fedchok, and many others. Before leaving Peoria in 2002, she founded a District Preparatory Arts School at Peoria High School.

Mary Jo’s recent honors include Patrons of the Arts annually awarding a Highland Park High School student the M.J. Papich Leadership Scholarship,  the Arts Inspiration Award from The Art Center, Superintendent’s Recognition Award, Character Counts Award, Huespid Distinguido from the Mayor in Puerto Vallarta and the Prestigious Women in Jazz Award from the Chicago Jazz Ensemble.  Former awards include: Tri-County Outstanding Educator Award, PPS Superintendent's Award, and YWCA Leader in the Arts Award.

Mary Jo, a graduate of Truman State (MO) and Bradley University (IL) was raised in South Central Iowa; graduating from Albia Community High School she began her teaching career in Moulton-Udell and Ottumwa (IA).  Her many presentations include: Midwest Clinic, IAJE Conferences, Siena Jazz Foundation (Italy), South African Jazz Conference (2008/2010)  at the University of Cape Town, Brubeck  Institute at the University of the Pacifics.  Other university presentations include: University of Illinois, Bradley University, University of Wisconsin, Capital University, University of Illinois Chicago, Columbia College Chicago and many state/area music conferences and festivals. Her professional affiliations include IMEA, MENC, ASCD, Illinois Arts in Education Alliance, International Women in Jazz and NARAS. Papich's vision is that all children will know and appreciate their musical heritage of jazz in the U.S.A. and as a global music.  Her goal is for JEN to be the vital jazz resource today and for JENerations to come!

Paris Rutherford

Paris Rutherford is a highly respected vocal jazz arranger and author. Currently a Regents Professor in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas, his numerous publications include over eighty vocal jazz arrangements and the new book The Vocal Jazz Ensemble (Hal Leonard Music, Inc.) plus vocal arrangements for Sound Music Publications, UNC Jazz Press, and via Artist Share for Maria Schneider. At UNT, he directs the award-winning Jazz Singers ensemble, and teaches both vocal and instrumental arranging. Rutherford is a member of ASCAP - his instrumental works have been performed and recorded by groups such as the North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, and heard in performance by symphony orchestras in Dallas, Denver, Memphis, and Fort Worth, among others. He is proud to be associated with JEN.

Bruce Silva

Bruce Silva has enjoyed a vibrant and varied work history in music as a trumpet performer, educator, and businessman.

Bruce has performed with artists such as Branford Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Clark Terry, Eliane Elias, Don Menza, Diane Schuur, Dianne Reeves and Frank Sinatra Jr. Touring engagements have included performing with Ray Charles, Clark Terry, Rich Matteson and Louis Bellson. Jazz festival appearances include Montreux, Sarasota, Toronto, Wichita, and Jacksonville Jazz Festivals. Bruce has also performed at numerous International Association of Jazz Education conventions and at the Midwest Clinic.

In 1988, he accepted the position of administrator to the University of North Florida jazz program and served as UNF’s trumpet instructor and director of the highly acclaimed UNF Jazz Ensemble I. Bruce also served on the board of directors of the Jacksonville Florida musician’s union serving as president from 1991 – 1993.

Bruce joined Boosey & Hawkes as a regional manager in 1995. In 2001, he was appointed Sales and Marketing Manager for The Music Group and later became the National Account Manager. In June 2005, Bruce was hired as Vice President of Buffet Crampon USA, Inc. Bruce currently serves on the board as Treasurer for JEN.

Bob Sinicrope

Bob Sinicrope, a consummate educator and accomplished bassist, is the inaugural recipient of the John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year (2007). For forty years Bob has taught in diverse settings. In 1974, he founded the Milton Academy Jazz Program, which he continues to direct. The program has won numerous national and regional awards and produced outstanding graduates including Aaron Goldberg and Steve Lehman. He has also taught in the Peace Corps, for Jamey Aeberold’s Summer Jazz Workshops since 1981, and presented workshops at conferences and schools on six continents. Bob is a highly respected bassist in the Boston area and has performed worldwide.

Bob has forged special connections with South Africa. He has toured there seven times with Milton Academy students performing nationally and delivering nearly $100,000 worth of donated materials to needy African music programs. He has also traveled to South Africa to teach, perform and serve as an educational consultant.

His five decades of organizational leadership, the breadth of his teaching experience and knowledge, and his forward-looking vision afford him a unique perspective on jazz education. He has a gift for making global connections and forming coalitions with jazz educators, music industry leaders and musicians.

Terell Stafford

Known for being a gifted and versatile player with a voice all his own, Stafford combines lyricism and a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge.

Since the mid-1990’s Stafford has performed with in groups with Benny Golson, McCoy Tyner, Kenny Barron, Frank Wess, the Jimmy Heath Big Band, and the Jon Faddis Orchestra. Currently, he is a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Matt Wilson’s “Arts and Crafts” and Alvin Queen’s “Alvin Queen and the Organics.” Stafford has recorded five albums as a leader and is heard on over 40 albums as a sideman.

An educator as well as a performer, Stafford currently holds the positions of Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University and is a clinician for the prestigious Vail Foundation in Colorado Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Program. He has also served as a member of the faculty for the Julliard Institute for Jazz Studies in New York.

Stafford was born in Miami and raised in Chicago and Silver Spring, Maryland. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters of Music from Rutgers University.

Andrew Surmani

Andrew Surmani is a native of Oakland, California who now resides in Los Angeles. He played trumpet in the California All-State Honor Band, the McDonald's All-American Marching Band and Jazz Band, and the Walt Disney World All-American College Jazz Band. Andrew attended California State University, Northridge where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. While at Northridge he played with the CSUN Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Jazz "A" Band. He has toured throughout the USA, Europe and Japan, and performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York. After playing lead trumpet in shows at Walt Disney World, Andrew returned to southern California to pursue his MBA degree and began working for Alfred Publishing Company. Andrew is currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Managing Director, School and Church Publishing. He is co-author of Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory, along with his wife Karen Farnum Surmani, a former LA Unified School District music educator, and Morton Manus, President of Alfred Publishing Company. Andrew currently serves as a founding board member of the Jazz Education Network and is on the curriculum committee for the Masters in Music Industry Studies degree program at CSUN.