The Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music

With the generous support of the Jordan Family Foundation.
Director: trumpet/composer Dave Douglas.

For over 30 years, the Banff jazz workshops have set the standard for jazz excellence worldwide. Banff jazz alumni continue to assume positions of leadership in the creative music community worldwide.

This workshop includes daily master classes and supervised small ensemble rehearsals, several common sessions per week with all faculty, workshopping new compositions, unlimited opportunities for individual practicing and ensemble playing, and many opportunities for club and concert performances.

The workshop emphasizes the creation of new music, and the philosophy and practice of creativity in jazz and improvised music is the main focus of the workshop. As such, there is an assumption that participants are already playing with a high level of instrumental skill. The workshop offers insights not found in the traditional university environment, and assumes that issues of basic musicianship are a prerequisite for attendance. The overall approach is one of helping participants to find their own voice.

In a non-competitive environment, faculty members and participants from diverse musical communities explore their common passions for music, examining the tradition to find an individual approach to new music. While pre-formed groups are encouraged to apply, individual applications are adjudicated, and acceptance to the program will take all factors into account. Participants are encouraged to form groups during the workshop.

Limited financial assistance is available, based on artistic merit and/or need. Please indicate your request for assistance on your application and submit a statement of need. Bass players are especially encouraged to apply.

Long and Short-Term Career Development Residencies are also available for jazz musicians, either as individuals or groups.

Each year, the musicians in the international workshop present three major concerts for sold-out crowds and have numerous opportunities for informal jazz club performances.

Listen to a clip of Mandala, composed in 2004 by workshop participant Joel Miller, performed by musicians in the program.