Dear Friends:

A quick welcome from Groningen, Netherlands where I am back for the week to teach at The Prinz Claus Conservatory.  This excellent jazz program is directed by my friend, bassist Joris Teepe, who has spent most of his career in the jazz trenches of New York.  Each week, Joris brings a different jazz artist from New York City to the school to teach.  The idea is to give the students a taste of "New York" jazz and the commitment it takes to be a professional here.  The students are all excellent and very serious.  They are eager to not just learn how to play but to be a part of the living tradition of the New York jazz scene.  Graduate students are required to come to New York to live and work for at least a few months.

I'm excited to say that Prinz Claus is also now part of our efforts to offer institutional subscription packages for schools and conservatories and has enrolled their students to have access to our audio/video archive.  I met with a student yesterday who told me that the archive was "an university onto itself if you take the time to explore it."  I was delighted to hear that.  Just before I left I met a young musician from SUNY Purchase who was sitting at the Smalls bar.  He vigorously pumped my hand up and down and expressed how excited he was to now have access to the archives.  Once again, my thanks to both Peter Malinverni and Joris Teepe for having the foresight to enroll their respective programs in our SmallsLIVE educational packages.  As I've said before, giving access to students to this ever growing body of work is the fulfillment of a dream and a major milestone for SmallsLIVE.  Our goal is to continue to enroll students and jazz fans to take advantage and explore this amazing jazz resource.  If you would like more information about our institutional subscriptions please CLICK HERE.

Of course, plenty of great music this week at both clubs.  I'm sorry to miss one of my very favorite pianists at Mezzrow this weekend, Alan Broadbent.  Swing through if you can.  I wish everyone an excellent week and hope to see you at the clubs.

Regards,

Spike