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Open Auditions at The Nash for High School Jazz Musicians  – August 28 at 3 pm

The Nash will be holding open auditions for area students on August 28 at 3 pm for two instrumental ensembles.

The Nash, Phoenix’s popular jazz venue, is committed to the future of jazz and fostering new talent. The downtown club has become a vibrant center for developing jazz, with young musicians of all ages working with instructors throughout the year through workshops, classes, and performance opportunities.

Nash auditions

Courtesy of The Nash.

The Nash offers several programs for high school students including The Nash Legacy Ensemble, led by Michael Kocour, Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University and a new program, The Nash Future Ensemble, for younger teens, led by Eric Rasmussen, Director of Instrumental Music at Scottsdale Community College. These ensembles are comprised of 5 to 6 instrumentalists, selected from a competitive audition process.

Both ensembles are fully-funded and tuition-free, with students selected for the Ensembles performing regularly throughout the year and producing a CD of original work.

Recommendations of students from area teachers and musicians are welcomed and encouraged. An open audition for both The Nash Legacy Ensemble and The Nash Future Ensemble will be held on Sunday, August 28 at The Nash at 3pm. Those auditioning should be prepared to play and improvise on a blues in F (concert) and “rhythm changes” in the key of Bb (concert) with other auditioning students.

Rehearsals for The Nash Legacy Ensemble will occur at The Nash on Mondays from 4:30-6:30pm, while rehearsals for The Nash Future Ensemble will occur at The Nash on Tuesdays from 5-7pm.

Those who are interested in participating in this program (or educators that wish to refer students) should contact Jeff Libman at jeff.libman@thenash.org.