The David Baker Scholarship

Established 2010 by Jamey Aebersold to honor the contributions of NEA Jazz Master/Educator David Baker, this award recognizes a university student who demonstrates talent, spirit, and commitment to the field of jazz studies.

Award

$3,000 + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

Application Deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

• 2017 – Crystal Rebone, University of Illinois School of Music
• 2016 – Chang Su – University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
• 2015 – Tyler Lindsay, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA
• 2014 – Brian Claxton, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
• 2013 – Josh Roberts, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• 2012 – Alex Liu Macias & Jamaal Baptiste, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• 2011 – Daniel Lorrain, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
• 2010 – Justin Young, University of Missouri-St. Louis, MO

The Hal Leonard Collegiate Scholarship

Established in 2011 in partnership with the Hal Leonard Corporation, a JEN Founding Corporate Partner, this award supports a deserving university student entering or continuing their collegiate jazz studies.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

Application deadline September 15th

$1,000 annual award /1 year eJEN membership/Certificate in support to a deserving university student entering or continuing their collegiate jazz studies.

• 2017 – Tanner Guss, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• 2016 – Allison Philips, University of Amsterdam, Holland
• 2015 – Matt Rigger, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• 2014 – Gibran Khan, University of Northern Colorado , Greeley, CO
• 2013 – Kelly Garner, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
• 2012 – Kathleen Hollingsworth, University of Miami, COral Gables, FL
• 2011 – Billy Wolfe, DePaul University, Chicago, IL

The Mary Jo Papich JEN Co-Founder Women in Jazz Scholarship

Established and funded in 2010 by Mary Jo Papich to honor Women in Jazz at the university level, and currently funded by the JEN Education Fund, this award honors a female jazz student who is positively contributing to the jazz industry.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

Application deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

• 2017 – Amanda Ekery, New England Conservatory
• 2016 – Amaya Bickmore – Brigham Young University, UT
• 2015 – Kristin Sponcia, University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, IL
• 2014 – Alexa Tarantino, Eastman School of Music, NY
• 2013 – Caitlin Bryant, Grove City College, PA
• 2012 – Erika Matson, DePauw University, IN
• 2011 – Megan Tengel, University of New Orleans, LA
• 2010 – Kim Aubuchon, University of Missouri-St. Louis, MO

The Dr. Lou Fischer JEN Co-Founder Scholarship

Established in 2012 by the JEN Board and funded through the JEN Education Fund, this award honors a high school jazz student who is positively contributing to the jazz industry.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

Application deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

• 2017 – Gabi Basile, Brownell Talbot Prep, Omaha, NE
• 2016 – Tyler Webb, UT
• 2015 – Max Holm, Park City High School, Park City, UT
• 2014 – Christopher Parker, Bloomington High School North, Bloomington, IN
• 2013 – Laila Smith, San Jose, CA
• 2012 – Price McGuffey, Youth Performing Arts School, DuPont Manual High School, Louisville, KY
• 2012 – Jordan Egland Smith, Oldham County High School, Buckner, KY

The Mary Ann Fischer Scholarship Award

Established in 2016 by Dr. Lou Fischer to honor the contributions of Mary Ann Fischer who has volunteered her spirit, talent, and continuous commitment to JEN since inception.

This award will be presented to a deserving high school student bassist entering their collegiate jazz studies the following year.

Award

$1,000 scholarship + 1 year eJEN membership + Certificate

Application deadline September 15th

Past Award Recipients

• 2017 – David Bredthauer, Brownell Talbot Prep, Omaha, NE

Established in 2012 by the JEN Board of Directors, the JEN LeJENds of Jazz Education Award honors true legends in jazz education. This award is bestowed upon a jazz educator who has distinguished themselves by living up to the JEN Mission.

The following criteria are some of the qualities used for the selection of this award. These criteria should have been demonstrated over several decades of work.

• Demonstration of being an outstanding educator.
• Promoting Jazz in all formats (performance and audiences).
• Encouraging and inspiring musicians, teachers and aficionados of all ages.
• Recognition at a national and/or international level.
• Demonstration of a true passion for the art.

Past honorees:

2017 – Ellis Marsalis
2016 – Phil Mattson
2015 – Herbie Hancock, Bobby Shew
2014 – Paris Rutherford, Ed Soph
2013 – Rufus Reid, Dave Liebman
2012 – Jamey Aebersold, David Baker, Jerry Coker & Dan Haerle

Established in 2014 by the JEN Board of Directors, the JEN LeJENds of Latin Jazz Award honors true legends of Latin Jazz. This award is bestowed upon a musician who has distinguished themselves by living up to the JEN Mission.

The following criteria are some of the qualities used for the selection of this award. These criteria should have been demonstrated over several decades of work.

• Demonstration of being an outstanding performer/educator
• Promoting Jazz in all formats (performance and audiences)
• Encouraging and inspiring musicians, teachers and aficionados of all ages
• Recognition at a national and/or international level
• Demonstration of a true passion for the art
• Sharing and expanding the art of Latin Jazz in all areas listed above

Past honorees:

2017 – Eddie Palmieri
2016 – Paquito D’Rivera
2015 – Poncho Sanchez
2014 – Candido Camero

To Recognize and Celebrate those whose Unique Voices make the story of jazz music more complete.

Founded by the African American Jazz Caucus (AAJC), The Donald Meade Legacy Foundation has been founded upon the premise that the “story” is an essential part of Jazz education and that the storyteller or Griot creates a vital link between the music and life stories. Donald Meade’s first voice stories embrace the social, political and cultural realities that shaped and created jazz truths.  He has inspired and encouraged numerous jazz artists, and he was a steadfast advocate for jazz education, particularly for young people.  The AAJC foundation, presented in tandem with JEN, continues his legacy through recognizing other jazz griots with the Meade Legacy Jazz Griot, in addition to creating platforms in which their stories can heard around the world. Learn more…

Past honorees:

2017 – Willie Pickens
2016 – Larry Reni Thomas
2015 – Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
2014 – Dr. Larry Ridley
2013 – Dr. Willis Kirk
2012 – Donald Meade

The President’s Service Award is awarded annually by the President in consultation with the President-Elect, Vice President, Immediate Past President, and additional members of the Advisory Council of Past Presidents to an individual that has satisfied the following criteria:

1. Two years of continuing service to the organization
2. Given tirelessly of their efforts, resources, expertise, and time
3. Demonstration of commitment to the organization’s mission
4. True example of altruism

President’s Service Award Recipients

• 2017 – Frances Scanlon
• 2016 – Richard Condit (Lake Charles, LA)
• 2015 – Sharon Burch, (IA)
• 2014 – Jerry Tolson, Louisville, KY (JAN 2014 JAZZed: page 31)
• 2013 – Gene Perla, Easton, Pennsylvania (JAN 2013 JAZZed: page 21)
• 2012 – Larry Green, Columbia, Missouri (JAN 2012 JAZZed: page 12)
• 2011 – Steve Crissinger, Columbus, Ohio
• 2010 – Jim Widner, St. Louis Missouri

The Jazz Education Network and Berklee College of Music collaborate to present the John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year award.

The award is named after legendary jazz educator John LaPorta who served as a distinguished professor at Berklee for more than three decades prior to his passing in 2004 and played a pivotal role in the earliest stage of formalized jazz education.

The award will recognize an outstanding elementary, middle, or high school educator with a focus on jazz education, who represents the highest standards of teaching and whose results in the classroom have brought distinction to their institution and their students.

Past Recipients

• 2018 – Diane Downs, Louisville, KY
• 2017 – Dr. Robert Klevan, Pacific Grove, CA
• 2016 – José Antonio Diaz, Diaz Music Institute, Houston, TX
• 2015 – Janis Stockhouse, Blooming High School North, Bloomington, IN
• 2014 – Daniel Gregerman, Niles North High School, Skokie, IL (JAN 2014 JAZZed: page 31)
• 2013 – Davey Yarborough, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington D.C. (JAN 2013 JAZZed: page 18)
• 2012 – Bart Marantz, Booker T. Washington High School, Dallas, TX (JAN 2012 JAZZed: page 16)
• 2011 – Caleb Chapman, Crescent Super Band, Salt Lake City, UT (SEPT 2011 JAZZed: page 40)

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Award Recipients prior to JEN

• 2008 – Don Cantwell, Retired from Whitesboro High School, Barneveld, NY
• 2007 – Bob Sinicrope, Milton Academy, Milton, MA (SEPT 2008 JAZZed: page 28)

Eligibility Criteria for John LaPorta Educator of the Year Nominee

• Minimum of 5 years of successful classroom and/or directing experience
• Open to an educator in elementary, middle or secondary education
• Nominee represents the highest standards of jazz teaching, and results in the classroom have brought distinction to nominee’s institution and students

Submission Criteria for John LaPorta Educator of the Year Nominee

• Nominations may be submitted by current JEN members.
• Include complete contact information of the person submitting the nomination.
• Describe how the nominee meets the eligibility criteria.
• Include a nominee biography, address, phone number(s) and email address.
• Up to five letters of support may be uploaded to the JEN website.
• All information and letters of support are required to complete the application.
• Partially completed applications not accepted.

Nomination Deadline September 15th