Youth Jazz Workshop Inspiring

BY LARS BJORN

SEMJA's Youth Jazz Workshop at the Bird of Paradise on April 28th taught the basics of improvisation. Saxophonist Vincent York, this year's clinician, likened improvisation to learning a language and story telling. By the end of the two hour workshop he had the assembled middle and high school students playing John Coltrane's "Impressions" with more verve than when they started.

York was expertly backed up by a trio of high school students: Mun Chung, Josef Deas, and Zack Saginaw. They were modeling the level of professionalism that the younger students no doubt hope to reach.

SEMJA extends its thanks to Vincent York, Sandy Maconochie, and Ron Brooks for their efforts in making this workshop possible.

TOP: Participants in the Youth Jazz Workshop at the Bird of Paradise.

INSET: Vincent York

photographs by Lars Björn