Jazz Aspen Snowmass/Frost School of Music

JAS Academy
Presented by Jazz Aspen Snowmass in association with The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami
June 16th - 30th, 2025 - Big Band Session
July 28th - August 11th, 2025 - Afro-Caribbean Big Band Session

Admissions Deadline: 
1st Session - March 1st, 2025
2nd Session - April 1st, 2025

The JAS Academy presented by Jazz Aspen Snowmass in collaboration with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami includes two summer (2) week sessions including the highly-acclaimed JAS Academy "Individual/Big Band Sessions," led by JAS Academy Artistic Director & multi-Grammy winning bassist Christian McBride and the new "Afro-Caribbean Big Band Sessions" led by Guggenheim Fellowship Recipient Etienne Charles. Both McBride and Charles will work in tandem with Frost Dean Shelly Berg, JAS President & CEO Jim Horowitz, Program Director Chuck Bergeron with additional Jazz Masters and Frost faculty.

The goal of the JAS Academy is to identify and assist the most talented young Artists embracing jazz fundamentally, while exploring myriad related and unrelated forms of music at the highest level of quality. 

Daily program activities for both sessions will include a blend of coaching from JAS Academy jazz masters & faculty members along with individual group time for rehearsal and recording. Select Frost School of Music Curricula will be introduced, addressing topics essential to developing well-rounded musicians with the tools to succeed in the 21st century music industry. Classes in recording techniques, arranging, production, touring, agent representation, artist management, contracts, website development, and digital rights will be excluded.

This program is full-scholarship with all travel, lodging, tuition and meals provided.

Selection for the Academy is limited to one time per student, so former participants are not eligible to return. 

Individual/Big Band Session - June 16-30, 2025
For the Individual/Big Band Session JAS/Frost are seeking individual applicants able to perform proficiently in both combo and big band settings. Strong reading skills, experience with improvisation, doubling, and familiarity with multiple styles of jazz music are prerequisites. The program is led by JAS Artistic Director Christian McBride in tandem with Frost Dean Shelly Berg and Program Director Chuck Bergeron. 

The positions to be filled are as follows:

• Four trumpets (1 lead)
• Four trombones (1 bass)
• Five reeds (2 alto, 2 tenor, 1 baritone)
• Two piano, three bass, three drums
• One guitar
• One vocalist

Afro-Caribbean Big Band Session - July 28 - Aug. 11, 2025
For the Afro-Caribbean Big Band Session, JAS/Frost is seeking individual applicants able to perform proficiently in "non-swing" styles of music - including Latin music, music of South and Central America, Africa, and the Caribbean - in both combo and big band settings. Strong reading skills, experience with improvisation, doubling, and familiarity with multiple styles of jazz music are pre-requisites. This program is led by Etienne Charles in tandem with Frost Dean Shelly Berg and Program Director Chuck Bergeron.

The positions to be filled are as follows:

• Four trumpets (1 lead)
• Three trombones (1 bass)
• Four reeds (2 alto, 1 tenor, 1 baritone)
• Three Chordal Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Vibraphone, Steel Pan, etc.
• Three bass players (acoustic & electric)
• Three drummers - also proficient in hand percussion
• One designated percussionist
• Two vocalists

For more information on both sessions call 970.920.4996 or visit jazzaspensnowmass.org

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.