Jazz

Two ASCAP members, the avant garde jazz composer/multi-instrumentalist Henry Threadgill and the musical theatre composer/performer Lin-Manuel Miranda, have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize in its hundredth year.

ASCAP's Cia Toscanini and Adrian Ross attended an album release event for ASCAP member, Laurin Talese, at the Iridium Jazz Club on Monday, March 28th. Talese, who is an accomplished vocalist, composer and arranger, released her debut album entitled, Gorgeous Chaos, on March 25th.

The program was established in 2002 to encourage young gifted jazz composers. The recipients range in age from 13 to 30 and are selected through a juried national competition.

What better way to salute two visionaries in the field of concert music than to pay them homage at a joyful New York five-borough-festival kick-off in Manhattan’s West Village.

Technology has always impacted jazz composition. But how has the digital age changed the way that jazz musicians work and thrive? Music critic and ASCAP composer Ted Gioia traces how jazz and tech intertwine, from the early piano rolls through the latest remixing software.

Paul Williams, President of The ASCAP Foundation, and George Wein, Founder & Chairman of the Newport Jazz Festival, announced a new joint effort to benefit emerging jazz talent. The Festival has agreed to feature a performance by one of the recipients of the 2016 ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards.

14 year old ASCAP composer, songwriter, as well as classical and jazz pianist Emily Bear continues on her path to great success with a wonderfully well-received first time performance at Joe’s Pub in New York City

The Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards are granted annually to encourage talented young jazz composers. Applicants must submit a completed application form; an original score or chart of one composition accompanied by a CD indicating proper track (if applicable); biographical information listing prior music studies, background and experience.

A $5000 cash prize is presented annually to an ASCAP concert composer for a work requiring a conductor that has not been performed professionally. A jury of conductors selects the winning score. Previous winners are ineligible.

Chan will write a new work for the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra's 2016-17 season. SJO and The ASCAP Foundation created the prize to honor the legacy of trailblazing musician, SJO Co-Music Director and ASCAP Board member George Duke.

ASCAP mourns the passing of Van Alexander, who died on July 19th at the age of 100. Alexander co-wrote and arranged Ella Fitzgerald’s 1938 hit “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” went on to become a leading figure in big band jazz and, later, a top composer and arranger in the world of film and television music.

Between lessons at Juilliard and rehearsals in preparation for an appearance at the Stuttgart Jazzopen Festival next month, composer and pianist Emily delighted the New York employees with a visit that included an intimate solo performance in the ASCAP Lounge.

ASCAP members won big at the 19th annual Jazz Journalists Associan Jazz Awards. Congratulations to all of our winning members! See the full list here.

To honor the legacy of the trailblazing musician, former Symphonic Jazz Orchestra (SJO) Co-Music Director and ASCAP board member, George Duke, the SJO has opened the George Duke Commissioning Prize competition to all direct ASCAP composer members, with a submission deadline of July 17th.