Jazz News — Denin Slage-Koch wins composing honor, Downbeat’s College Guide and more!

The Jazz Education Network (JEN) announced the winners of their Young Composer Showcase. Congratulations to guitarist, composer and educator Dr. Denin Slage-Koch, who graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, Eastman School of Music, and Whitworth University. He is currently a full-time faculty member at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where he teaches jazz guitar and composition. And he’s a past Pathways to Jazz grantee.

His most recent release, “It Comes in Waves,” features Ryan Keberle and Shane Endsley, and his work will be performed by the Navy Commodores at the 15th Annual JEN Conference in New Orleans this coming January. (SOURCE: JEN)

Downbeat Magazine’s College Guide is out. The October issue with Joshua Redman on the cover has nearly more than 180 listings, including Colorado’s exceptional music programs at MSU-Denver, CU-Denver, CU-Boulder, University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, University of Northern Colorado and the University of Wyoming. The listings are comprehensive, with info on tuition and financial aid, degrees and faculty, student body and auditions.

The magazine makes a pretty good case for studying music, and the career possibilities are expanding! (SOURCE: DOWNBEAT)

For business types, fundraisers, marketers, deal makers and administrators who love jazz, the Vail Jazz Foundation has launched a search for its next executive director.  They’re embarking on their milestone 30th anniversary, and the board is looking for someone to oversee day-to-day operations and collaborate with artistic director Drew Zaremba. Details at Vail Jazz. (SOURCE: Vail Jazz)

In 10 years, the Japanese manga “Blue Giant” has won over fans worldwide. It’s the saga of a high school student who stumbles into jazz and becomes obsessed with learning the saxophone and mastering the art form.  Throw in some teen angst and performance anxiety and you’ve got what some critics call “a manga you can hear the sound of.”

Fans of the Japanese graphic novel series “Blue Giant,” written and drawn by Shinichi Ishizuka, can now enjoy a full-length animated feature. It debuted in New York over the weekend. The original soundtrack from pianist Hiromi Uehara is now available on Verve Records.
FILM TRAILER: Blue Giant Trailer
Tracks on YouTube from Hiromi’s Official Channel

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