Mission
A nucleus of creative jazz composition in Minnesota
TCJCW aims to foster creative and forward-looking composition for the modern jazz orchestra in the Twin Cities area; provide an environment where developing and advanced composers can present and discuss their works and processes and get feedback from fellow composers in an open and constructive setting; and provide opportunities for composers to have their pieces workshopped and performed by a high quality professional jazz orchestra.
The first and only workshop of its kind in the area, TCJCW hopes to make an impact in the Twin Cities area and beyond by increasing the opportunities available to aspiring creative composers as well as expanding the culture of new large ensemble music in the area.
About
The Twin Cities Jazz Composers’ Workshop was founded in 2017 by composers Aaron Hedenstrom, Asuka Kakitani, Adam Meckler, and JC Sanford. It is partially inspired by the BMI Jazz Composers’ Workshop in New York City originally founded by Bob Brookmeyer and later spearheaded by Manny Albam and Jim McNeely, which was created in order to enable composers to come together as a group to share ideas and learn from each other. TCJCW provides that environment by having participating composers engage in regular discussion and commentary by other workshop members on each others’ compositions in a workshop setting while regularly hearing their new works read by the Jazz Composers’ Workshop Orchestra. Participants may be a collection of varying levels of experience in writing for large jazz ensemble. While many fundamental concepts and techniques of jazz arranging and orchestration will often be discussed, participating composers will be encouraged to move beyond their comfort zone and to take some chances, especially for those who have a strong foundation in traditional jazz arranging styles.
Support Creative Jazz
Tax-deductible donations are payable through our Fiscal Sponsor, Zeitgeist.