jazzfan

Dear Ms. Jensen,

First time poster here who just learned about this site and your forum. I'm a retired "hobby" trumpet player and a jazz fan. My wife and I enjoy going to concerts at a well known music school. We love to hear the big band play and support the students and the college. Many of these students are majoring in Jazz.When I was a growing up "majoring in jazz" would be spent touring with a band on the road for a couple of years. Now they get out of a 4 year degree with a piece of paper that says they majored in jazz and they owe 30-40 thousand on a student loan.

Then what? Not everyone can be the next Ingrid Jensen. I hear alot of talented kids and see new faces each year but what are they supposed to do when the graduate with their jazz degree. I hope their love for the music will take them far but I fear for them. Clubs are closing. Bands are gone. It seems like a tough road. Same holds true for any musician but in my opinion it's especially tough for these jazzers. I only hope the kids are well round musicians and trumpet players leaving with the ability to play piccolo on a wedding or sit in with an orchestra. If not their options are even more limited.

I guess my question for you is what do you think about the state of jazz education at the college level and the fact that we are turning out these young jazzers and there is no work out there. Are these schools doing the right thing? I guess its a bit of a sobering question but one I wanted to ask if you don't mind

A fan of yours,

jazzfan