In St. Thomas, An Evening With The Masters of Jazz

ST. THOMAS — United Jazz Foundation (UJF), a not-for-profit organization, is partnering with the Virgin Islands Department of Education to bring world-renowned master trumpeter Jon Faddis to the US Virgin Islands, along with Triumph of Trumpets all-stars Terell Stafford, Sean Jones, and native Virgin Islander Rashawn Ross, according to a DOE press release issued on Friday.

Joined by the Jon Faddis Quartet, Triumph of Trumpets will take the stage at Prior-Jollek Hall, Antilles School, St. Thomas at 7:30pm on Tuesday, December 29 and on Wednesday, December 30 to help raise funds for UJF’s music education programs within the public school system. Student members of UJF’s VI Youth Ensemble, a performance initiative that trains the most talented high school music students in the territory, will kick off the concerts with a Welcome Performance at 6pm on both evenings.

United Jazz Foundation and the Department of Education are both dedicated to expanding music education within the public schools throughout the territory. As Commissioner of Education Dr. Sharon McCollum states, “Music education in our schools is so important to us at the Department of Education. We are pleased to partner with Dion Parson and his United Jazz Foundation to bring this special musical event to our community. Music soothes, uplifts, and empowers. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to enjoy first-class jazz music and to raise funds to help keep music education thriving in our schools. I look forward to having Mr. Faddis and his team here for this worthy cause.

Concert flyer.

This is the second Masters of Jazz event presented by United Jazz Foundation to help support music education and to raise awareness of the need to provide students in public schools on the USVI with all the tools they need to match the education of other music students across the globe. The first, which took place in March this year, presented the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

As with the earlier Masters of Jazz, Triumph of Trumpets will include an opportunity for music students to interact with the musicians. Jon Faddis, who thrived at the age of 15 under the tutelage and mentorship of jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, is also a member of UJF’s Board of Directors and is staunchly committed to UJF’s mission to provide quality education to students living in the US Virgin Islands. As such, Mr. Faddis has also agreed to conduct two complimentary workshops—one for music students on December 29, conducted along with the Triumph of Trumpets musicians and with the members of his quartet, David Hazeltine, piano; Kiyoshi Kitagawa, bass; Dion Parson, drums—and one for band directors and music teachers on December 30, which he will conduct in collaboration with Dion Parson, who is also President of United Jazz Foundation and a 24-year member of the Jon Faddis Quartet, in addition to leading his own USVI-inspired septet.

An Evening with the Masters of Jazz is also geared toward creating new cultural experiences for the Virgin Islands community and its youth.

“By exposing students to professional musicians of this caliber, and by bringing in some of the most unique and quality entertainment, we can raise awareness of the need for the USVI to have stellar music education available to public school students,” states Nicole Parson, UJF’s Executive Director/CEO. “We want people to be aware that the USVI is a hotbed of talent, and with the right cultivation our young people can join the ranks of other top-level musicians like Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis, and more.

United Jazz Foundation implemented its music education program, Mentoring Through the Arts of Music, in junior high and high schools within the public school system on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix in 2009. Since then, the program, with the input and support of the DOE, has grown to include a variety of other initiatives. Additional programs include the Artist-in-Residence Program, which began in the 2015-2016 school year; Jazz For Young People USVI, an interactive jazz program for children in elementary schools; and the VI Youth Ensemble, a performance-based initiative that provides skill and performance training twice a month and helps prepare dedicated and musically inclined high school students for college and to become great musicians and/or music educators. The VI Youth Ensemble also currently performs on Friday evenings (twice a month) at the Old Stone Farmhouse on St. Thomas.

An Evening with the Masters of Jazz: Triumph of Trumpets

Tickets on-sale: Monday, November 23, 2015 at Antilles School, A/C Administrative Building, St. Thomas

• Artists:
  • Triumph of Trumpets with Jon Faddis, Terell Stafford, Sean Jones, Rashawn Ross
  • The Jon Faddis Quartet with Jon Faddis, David Hazeltine, piano; Kiyoshi Kitagawa, bass; Dion Parson, drums
• Concert Dates: Tuesday-Wednesday, December 29-30, 2015

• Time:
  • VIYE Welcome Performance, 6pm
  • Concert 7:30pm
• Concert Location: Prior-Jollek Hall, Antilles School, St. Thomas
• Pricing:
  • December 29 only:
    • VIP ticket $80 – pre-concert reception at 6pm; post-concert Meet and Greet and photo opportunity with the artists
    • Atrium ticket $30 – seating is outside
  • December 30 only:
    • Standard ticket $50 – inside Hall
    • Atrium ticket $30 — seating is outside
    • Student ticket $25 – with a valid student ID only
• Box Office Location: Antilles School, A/C Administrative Building, St. Thomas
  • Hours: 8am – 3pm
  • Phone: 340-776-1600
  • Website: http://www.antilles.vi/
  • Contact: Jamie Aubain
  • Payment Accepted: Cash or Checks only

• Retail Outlets
  • St. Thomas: Bella Vera at Yacht Haven Grande; Music Shoppe at Havensight Mall
  • St. John: Love City Barbershop –Tue-Sat, 8am to 5pm. Closed Sun/Mon
• Complimentary Babysitting
  • Available 6pm – 11:00pm
  • Provided by the students of Antilles School. A donation is suggested.