HUDSON–Hudson Jazzworks presents the 4th Annual Hudson Jazz Workshop at the Hudson Opera House, 327 Warren Street, Thursday, August 12 through Sunday August 15.
The intimate workshop provides a weekend immersion in jazz improvisational duo playing and composition with Armen Donelian and Marc Mommaas.
Sunday, August 15, at 3 p.m. guest Artist Jim McNeely will join the workshop faculty and participants in a concert of the students’ works-in-progress and performances by the faculty.
The Hudson Jazz Workshop is an international, intergenerational program, with individual and group instruction on the art of jazz improvisation, duo playing, technique, composition, harmony, accompaniment, rhythm and repertoire. Performance practicum (“jam”) sessions are held each evening.
The music of pianist/composer Armen Donelian reflects diverse influences from classical, Latin and Middle Eastern traditions as well as his work performing in 23 countries with Jazz masters including Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Billy Harper and others. A graduate of Columbia University, Donelian has received numerous grants and awards, and has recorded 11 albums featuring 59 compositions. He lives in Hudson. He returned in July from a two-week stay in Palestine and Israel teaching at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music and the Israel Conservatory of Music. He has taught at The New School Jazz Program and William Paterson State University, and wrote Training the Ear Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (Advance Music). He is currently preparing for the release of his 12th recording.
Marc Mommaas, born in Holland, studied there and at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM). He has toured Europe with the Global Motion Trio and has made a number of recordings. He and Donelian met in 2000 at MSM, and over the last nine years they have performed their original and standard repertoire. In 2007, they founded the Hudson Jazz Workshop and in 2010, they established Hudson Jazzworks, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit educational organization.
Jim McNeely, on piano August 15, is a Grammy-nominated composer, arranger and teacher who has performed with Ted Curson, Chet Baker, David Liebman and others, and was with the Stan Getz Quartet for four years. He is currently a composer and arranger for the Danish Radio Orchestra, with the title of permanent chief conductor, as well as working with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, other European bands and orchestras, and teaching at New York University and elsewhere.
For information about the concert call The Hudson Opera House (518) 822-1438 or visit www.hudsonoperahouse.org. For more on the Hudson Jazz Workshop and Hudson Jazzworks, 338 Kipp Road, visit www.hudsonjazzworks.org.