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Michael Webster, Alex Nguyen & Javier Arau

Teaches at New York Jazz Academy

Saxophonist Michael Webster’s compositions have been played by Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell and Arturo O’Farrill at Birdland and by John Benitez at the Blue Note in New York City. A passionate educator, Michael continues to serve as musical director of United Rhythms & Visions, a New Jersey-based arts agency bringing music, art & drama to inner-city schools. He has over ten years of experience teaching private lessons in saxophone, clarinet, flute, composition, arranging, jazz theory & improvisation.

Acclaimed trumpeter and pianist Alex Nguyen was the winner of the 2005 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition and received the Jamey Aebersold Award for Artistry at the 2006 National Trumpet Competition. He also was awarded residencies at Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, in Washington, D.C., and the Steans Institute for Young Artists at the Ravinia Festival, in Chicago. Since arriving in New York in 2007, Alex has been establishing himself as a unique new voice on the trumpet. The Savannah, Georgia, native has garnered praise for his independent projects, most notably the nine-piece ensemble, the Jazz Conceptions Orchestra. Alex arranges much of the material for the group, which released its debut record in March 2009. While his work as a soloist, bandleader, and arranger has caught the attention of critics, Alex has also been noticed by fellow musicians, appearing with such artists as Vincent Herring, Kamel Boutros, Jon Gordon, and Jimmy Cobb. In 2008, pianist Kenny Barron recorded Alex’s composition “The First Year” for his acclaimed Sunny Side release The Traveler. A graduate of the University of North Florida’s jazz studies program, Alex also holds a Masters in Jazz Studies from SUNY Purchase, where he worked closely with seminal trumpeters Jon Faddis and Jim Rotondi.

Javier Arau is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator. The front cover artist on the July 2009 issue Saxophone Journal, he has received four Down Beat Magazine Awards for performance, composition, and arranging, and has received national awards and recognition from ASCAP, BMI, and MENC, among others. An active composer in New York City, his compositions have been played by Benny Golson, David Garibaldi, the Berkeley Symphony (Kent Nagano, dir.), and many more. Was a finalist for the BMI Charlie Parker Composition Prize and the IAJE/ASCAP Gil Evans Fellowship. Javier studied composition with Bob Brookmeyer and theory with George Russell. An innovator in the field of jazz education, Javier’s research and development has been recognized by leading music institutions worldwide. He has taught at New England Conservatory of Music and Lawrence University and is the founder of New York Jazz Academy. Javier is the author of several influential music texts and articles, and he has been published by Jazz Educators Journal, UNC Jazz Press, and Dorn Publications. He has taught jazz for over 25 years.

Classes taught by Michael Webster, Alex Nguyen & Javier Arau

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