Charleston Jazz Academy Collaborates with Spoleto Performers for Public Workshops

Charleston Jazz Academy Collaborates with Spoleto Performers for Public Workshops

The Charleston Jazz Academy has launched a series of workshops in conjunction with performers from the Spoleto Festival USA. The initiative began on June 3, 2024, with a workshop led by notable jazz saxophonist Chris Potter, and will continue with another on June 7, under the guidance of Grammy-nominated percussionist, Pedrito Martinez.

Each year since its inception in 2018, the Charleston Jazz Academy (CJA) Spoleto workshop has taken great pride in facilitating masterclasses under the tutelage of renowned Spoleto artists such as pianist Abdullah Ibrahim and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. Even during the trying times of the pandemic, these workshops were conducted online, keeping the music alive and spirits high. This year, for the first time, the workshops are accessible to the public.

Reviving Charleston’s Jazz History

Lacy Miller, the marketing and communications director of the Charleston Jazz Academy, emphasized the importance of maintaining the city’s rich legacy in jazz, stating, “We want people to continue to see Charleston for its history where jazz was nurtured.”

The workshops aim at not just enhancing the jazz skills of students but also allowing them to explore and celebrate the city’s rich and unique jazz history. Chris Potter, leading the first workshop, showcased a balance of performance and pedagogy. He played two compositions with the students and shared insights and anecdotes from his music life journey. People got an understanding of the storytelling aspect of jazz, the nuances of the art form, and the life of a professional musician.

Education and Jazz, an Interlinked Tradition

Larry Blumenfeld, who has been the curator of the Spoleto’s jazz series since 2016, reiterated the importance of these educational initiatives. Blumenfeld said, “All jazz musicians do some version of education. The art form has relied on mentorship and the passing on of many subtleties about the music and its culture.”

The decision to make these workshops public this year was made part of an effort to include more community members in the music-making process, including working musicians and jazz enthusiasts.

Adding Cuban Fervor to Charleston’s Jazz Culture

The upcoming workshop on June 7 features Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez, who will introduce a diverse cultural heritage mostly unexplored in Charleston. “Having an authentic Cuban artist like Pedrito Martinez is such a treasure,” Miller expressed. “Our kids, many of whom are on scholarships, may never get to travel and hear this music live. This workshop will inspire their future careers.”

The Charleston Jazz Academy’s workshops will allow the populace to honor Charleston’s past and nurture future jazz innovators. The community is thus encouraged to participate in these events not just as observers but as active participants in the preservation and evolution of jazz. The community-inviting workshop scheduled on June 7 is free and will start at 11 a.m.