Although music instruction had existed at Umbria and other jazz festivals, Berklee established a new international standard by bringing a college-based curriculum with performance and theory classes, faculty for a range of instrument and vocal instruction, student schedules, final concerts, auditions for college placement, and scholarships. The summer school has been held at capacity every year. To date, more than 5,000 students have come to study jazz and gospel, and over one million dollars in tuition scholarships have been awarded.
“We don't have anything like Berklee's gospel choir course in Italy. We are not used to the feelings in this music because they come from a vastly different culture, but the feelings are so strong, one can't help but let them flow through you," says Eleonora Bianchini, Perugia resident and former Umbria Jazz Clinics student who, after receiving a scholarship, is now attending Berklee in Boston.
In 1985, festival founder and artistic director Carlo Pagnotta recognized Berklee's international reputation for jazz education and asked for the college's support in developing a learning component for his event. Gary Burton, who retired in 2004 as Berklee's Vice President; Larry Monroe, Berklee Associate Vice President for International Programs; jazz bassist Giovanni Tommaso; and the late Director of Organization for Umbria Jazz Sauro Peducci, with Pagnotta, all played major roles in developing the Berklee Summer School at Umbria Jazz Clinics, and all are still involved with the program.
Berklee alumni performing at the Umbria Jazz Festival include Gary Burton '62, Miguel Zenon '98, Roy Hargrove '89, Diana Krall '83, John Scofield '73, Bill Frisell '77, Antonio Sanchez '97 and Luques Curtis '04. Also performing are former faculty members Pat Metheny and Luciana Souza.
This summer, with over 250 students who will attend from all over Europe, with others who traditionally come from Africa, Australia, Turkey, and the U.S., among other countries. The students come to learn from the Berklee faculty and special guest clinicians who in the past have included Michele Camilo, Wynton Marsalis, Elvin Jones, and Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez, among many others who come to share their experiences with the students.
Students return annually to the Summer School to work with the Berklee faculty, with whom they bond and often trade e-mail throughout the year. Teaching jazz and improvisation, the faculty offer a music education that is unmatched by traditional European conservatories. This year's faculty will be Ken Cervenka (trumpet), Ron Savage (drums), Dennis Montgomery III (voice, piano), Donna McElroy (voice), David Clark (bass), Michael Williams (guitar), David Howard (guitar), Sheryl Bailey (guitar), Suzanna Sifter (piano), James Odgren (sax); and Larry Monroe (conducting special lectures).
Thirty percent of students who are awarded scholarships at the conclusion of the Summer School matriculate to the Boston campus, most being Italian, resulting in young artists from all over the world going to Berklee when they might not have otherwise had the chance. Italians who got their start at the Summer School and then went on to Berklee and eventually bigger things include bassists Matt Garrison (solo, and with Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, The Gil Evans Orchestra, Chaka Khan), Marco Panascia (Ben Dixon, Joe Sample, Michel Legrand, Teodross Avery, Lewis Nash), and Verve recording artist Chiara Civello.
Contact: Berklee College of Music
Nick Balkin, 617-747-2247
[email protected]
For more information contact All About Jazz.
