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Jazz On CampusNew York’s Jazz StandardYouth Orchestra Opens Doorto Eager Student PlayersIt’s Sunday brunch time at New York City’s Jazz Standard, andThe Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra is already onstage and readyto test its mettle. As the room is packed with family and friends,musicians between the ages of 11 and 18 burn through suchtime-honored standards as “Cherokee,” “How Insensitive” and“Billie’s Bounce.”“There are people who are worried about the future of jazz,but I’m not,” said the band’s artistic director, David O’Rourke.“I’m seeing 11-year-olds who want to play.” O’Rourke runsthis weekly session during the school year for 25 students,where he rehearses them for a few hours before the band performsat 2 p.m. Guitarist O’Rourke generally doesn’t play withthe band, figuring its better for the kids to be up there on thebandstand alone.“He’s the type to show you how to swim and then throw youin the Atlantic to show you how to really swim,” said 16-year-oldpianist Davis Whitfield, a five-year veteran of the program. “Davenever holds back and is always real in what he says and does.”O’Rourke, who originally hails from the small town ofMalahide just north of Dublin, Ireland, moved to the United States in 1989and started teaching to pay the bills. Seven years ago while holding downa regular gig in the house band at Blue Smoke (the upstairs sister restaurantto Jazz Standard), he was approached to lead the Youth Orchestra byclub owner James Polsky.“Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra is cohesive with our club’s core,which is dedicated to fostering enthusiasm and appreciation for jazz,” saidSeth Abramson, artistic director of Jazz Standard, which also hosts a JazzDiscovery program where local public schools can bring their students toan interactive performance free of charge during the weekdays of theschool year. “The program introduces music to children at an early age,which ultimately creates a more well-rounded, cultured community.”The open-door policy for students of varying skill levels and ages canmake the orchestra especially fun to watch when it’s on—at a recent showthe kids did a funky version of “Straight No Chaser” that had elements ofOn Sunday, May 31, 650 new graduates ofElmhurst College rose and sang the alma materduring their college’s Commencement ceremony.Among the graduates was jazz arranger BillHolman, an honorary degree recipient. As thecrowd sang along, Holman leaned over toDirector of Jazz Studies Doug Beach and whispered,“This is in E-flat. It should be in C.”This acute musical ear is precisely howHolman earned his Doctor of Music degreefrom the liberal arts college in Elmhurst, Ill.Holman’s relationship with Beach startedwhen they met back in college. Their correspondencethrough the years led to the strong relationship between Holmanand Elmhurst College, which has been building for more than 20 years.Holman has now composed four commissions for the college’s jazz bandas well as performed with his own band at the college’s annual jazz festivalon multiple occasions.Jazz Standard Youth OrchestraNew Orleans second line in it as the horn section nodded heads in unison.Many of these students already attend performing arts schools and goon to conservatories as well as state schools with strong music programs.O’Rourke doesn’t have any empirical data about where they end up, but hehas seen many of the estimated 130 young musicians who have passedthrough the program stick with music for college and post-graduate studies.O’Rourke has done his best to prepare them for life after the JazzStandard gigs, worrying that the full houses and nurturing atmosphere willgive students a somewhat distorted picture of life as a working musician.“Some of them haven’t thought it out,” O’Rourke said. “I’ll give thema scenario: You just got a call for a gig. It’s a wedding and the pay is$600, and rent is due. Do you take the gig or do you call your parents andask them to subsidize your rent while you go out and sit in at jam sessions?Some of them understand and say: ‘You take the gig.’”—Tad HendricksonElmhurst College Honors Bill Holman with Honorary DoctorateKenne Briston, Chairman of the ElmhurstCollege Board of Trustees (left), and Bill HolmanBILL ACKERMAN“He’s always been one of my heros,” Beachsaid. “As an arranger myself, he is a role model. Hehas done so much for the college, I thought it wouldbe nice if I could nominate him for an honorarydegree.”More than a year ago Beach started the honorarydoctorate nomination process, which includes presentingeach candidate’s work to the college’sdeans, president and board of trustees.As a widely admired jazz arranger, Holman hasworked with many of his influences, includingCharlie Barnet, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, MaynardFerguson, Gerry Mulligan, Peggy Lee and NatalieCole. In 1975, he started the Bill Holman Band, which has released threealbums, one of which won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition.Still, he adds that his recent honor is particularly gratifying.“It was humbling and rewarding to receive the degree,” Holman said.—Katie KailusMICHAEL ACERRA70 DOWNBEAT August 2009