Dr. Lou Fischer - President

Dr. Lou Fischer is Professor of Music, Jazz Studies Area Chair/Graduate Coordinator, jazz ensemble director at Capital University. A member of the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band (‘71-‘74), Fischer holds a BM (Magna Cum Laude '91), and MA (with Honors '92) from the University of Denver, and a Doctor of Arts from Ball State University (Pi Kappa Lambda '99).

The current jazz division head for Bands of America/Music For All, Lou’s forty-six year career represents a veritable Who’s Who in American 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 to name just a few. Selected recordings include the latest trio projecy by the group THREE AS ONE titled Decisions on Summit Records; Beaux J Poo Boo All Things Are New; Steve Houghton’s Tribute to Gershwin; 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 many others.

A Yamaha Silent Bass Artist Representative, clinics/concerts include Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, Great Britain, Scandinavia, Mexico, and three hundred+ institutions across the United States. Lou has directed All State Ensembles in Texas (two levels), North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. With compositions and textbooks published by Alfred, Kendor, Hal Leonard, and Walrus, Lou has also been a contributor to JAZZed, the International Association for Jazz Education's Jazz Educator’s Journal and Band Director Magazines. The latest textbooks are Jazz Solos,Bass Vol 2 and Rhythm Section Workshop for Jazz Band Directors, a complete set including a Director’s Manual, DVD, play-along CD and Five workbooks. co-authored with Shelly Berg (piano), Steve Houghton (drums) and Fred Hamilton (guitar). Having served IAJE in many capacities for thirty plus years, Lou was formerly the United States Representative. Lou is a co-founder, along with Mary Jo Papich of JEN.

Andrew Surmani - President Elect

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.

John Clayton - Vice President

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 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.

Rick Kessel - Treasurer

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.

Jose Diaz - Secretary

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.

Mary Jo Papich - Past President

Mary Jo Papich, known for avid support and leadership in jazz education, is co-founder/Past President of the Jazz Education Network. Serving public school education for 30+ years, she is currently Director of Fine Arts Curriculum for the Niles District 219, winner of the Kennedy Arts Award in Skokie, Illinois.  She served 8 years as Fine Arts Chair at Highland Park High School (IL) and coordinated FOCUS ON THE ARTS, working with 400+ volunteers and 270 artists.  Her leadership positions in addition to JEN include: Founder of the Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival via Sister Cities Foundation, Quincy Jones Consortium, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Advisory Board, past IMEA state board and IAJE, HP Cultural Arts Commission,  and serving on the Artistic Access to Excellence Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Mary Jo’s recent honors include the Arts Inspiration Award from The Art Center, Superintendent’s Recognition Award,  Character Counts Award, and the Prestigious Women in Jazz Award from the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. While the districts Fine Arts Coordinator of 35 schools in the Peoria public school system (’92-’01), she founded and directed the Peoria Jazz All Stars whose performances included Montreux, North Sea, and Umbria Jazz Festivals and numerous 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, 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, a graduate of Truman State (MO) and Bradley University (IL) was raised in Southern Iowa. She has presented at MidWest Clinic, IAJE Conferences, various conferences/festivals, Siena Jazz Foundation, South African Jazz Conference (2008/2010) and most recently at the Brubeck Institute.  Her professional affiliations include IMEA, MENC, IAEA, ASCD, International Women in Jazz and NARAS. Her goal is for JEN to be the vital jazz resource today and for JENerations to come!