Music Institute Artist Tammy McCann Joins Jazz Faculty at Jazz Showcase, 3/21-3/24

Premier Chicago jazz vocalist Tammy McCann, artist in residence at the Music Institute of Chicago, performs with Music Institute Jazz Studies faculty March 21-24 at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court in Chicago.

Joining McCann are Jazz Studies faculty members Jeremy Kahn, piano; Stewart Miller, bass; Ernie Adams, drums; Director Audrey Morrison, trombone; Victor Garcia, trumpet; and guest Pat Mallinger, saxophone. The Reunion Jazz Orchestra performs with the group Sunday, March 24.

"The Jazz Showcase performances demonstrate the importance of having working musicians teach young jazz students," said McCann. "The Music Institute's Jazz Studies program has Chicago's foremost jazz instructors, who are re-creating the 'apprenticeship method' of teaching the art of jazz. As artist in residence, I have had the pleasure of performing with each of them individually and am looking forward to exploring our combined musical ideas on one stage."

"How will the next generation of jazz artists be developed? The Music Institute of Chicago believes that excellent training in the jazz arts should include regular interaction between students and highly accomplished professional musicians," commented Music Institute President and CEO Mark George. "Jazz musicians have traditionally been developed through an informal cycle of mentorship and apprenticeship. Improvisation is a skill that you learn in the course of performing alongside more experienced players. The intimate eco-system that ideally exists in small jazz ensembles, and the necessary level of communication, must be demonstrated by master musicians. Because jazz is a relatively young art form, there is great reliance on professional mentors to pass along important oral traditions."

George continued, "This is where the Music Institute's Jazz Studies program shines. Students receive regular instruction from professional, working musicians. Faculty members jump in to play with student ensembles, enhancing the experience and passing on vital musical information."

Upcoming jazz mentorship opportunities at the Music Institute: Tammy McCann offers a master class, "So You Want To Be A Jazz Singer?" Saturday, April 6, 1-3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The class is free and open to the public.

Music Institute of Chicago Jazz Studies Director Audrey Morrison leads two sessions of The Art of the Jazz Band Camp, a week-long intensive with Jazz Studies faculty, June 17-21 at its Evanston campus, 1490 Chicago Ave., and June 24-28 at its Winnetka campus, 300 Green Bay Rd. For information, visit musicinst.org/jazz-camp.

Music Institute of Chicago Artist in Residence Tammy McCann and Music Institute Jazz Studies faculty perform Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23 at 8 and 10 p.m. and Sunday, March 24 at 4 p.m. at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago. For information call 312.360.0234 or visit jazzshowcase.com. For information about Tammy McCann's free master class April 6 at Nichols Concert Hall or The Art of the Jazz Band Camps in June, call 847.905.1500 or visit musicinst.org/jazz-studies.