This semester I have a number of opportunites to work with The New Jersey City University's Jazz Ensemble. The first of these was February 22, 2007, when I was asked to rehearse "The Lighthouse" with the jazz ensemble. This wonderful band, under the direction of Ed Joffe, played this challenging piece with great prowess and artistry. I was duly impressed and extremely honoured to have been asked to step in as guest conductor. The band also sight read "Dig It," one of ABJO's favorite openers; a tune composed by my father, Ted Brown, and arranged as a gift for his 70th birthday. At this rehearsal I was also asked by Mr. Joffe to join the faculty of New Jersy City University to teach graduate studies in Jazz Composition beginning in the Fall 2007 Semester. Of course, I was ecstatic to accept this appointment. While NJCU's site hasn't been updated to include information regarding Fall 2007, you can click here for additional information: http://web.njcu.edu/sites/mdt/Content/jazz_studies.asp The NJCU Jazz Ensemble also played "The Lighthouse" at Trumpets in Montclair, NJ on Sunday evening, April 1, 2007. I will have the pleasure of conducting them on this piece on their Spring Concert, April 30, 2007. Click on "Calendar" for details.
