NEW WORKS FRESH VOICES PROGRAM
(Currently Inactive)
The JIC and the Mellon Foundation recognize the need for artists to continue to create, to develop their voices, and to have the resources to do so. To that end, the JIC is pleased to present the NEW WORKS FRESH VOICES (NWFV) commission project.
The Jazz Institute of Chicago selects two established Chicago-area jazz artists for the New Works Fresh Voices (NWFV) program every year. The selected applicants will seek to further develop their unique voice and will each create a fully-produced composition — which may be multi-disciplinary — for performances in high-visibility venues in the city.
NEW WORKS FRESH VOICES 2022 AWARDEES
ISaIAH COLLIER • ETHAN PHILION • REGINA HARRIS BAIOCCHi
NWFV Criteria & Considerations
o Technical instrument proficiency
o Demonstrated (though understandably possibly limited) professional experience or related education
o Ages 35 and up (preferred)
o 5+ years of Chicago area residency
o Innovation & creativity
o Desire to learn & openness to and recognition of areas of growth
NWFV Commitment, Opportunities and Outcomes
o One-year project commitment
o Winter/Spring Community Concert and Open Rehearsals: New.Next.Now! Series
o Up to 10 Hours Mentorship-Style Engagements with Chicago Professionals
Self-selected topics, which could include Performance and Production; Technical Skill, Technique and Personal Sound Development; Concert and Combo Production and Development; Club and Venue Relations; Arts Education-Teaching and Performance; Career Management; Finances.
o Spring/Summer 2022 Final Concert Series
o Spring 2022 Social Media Video Concert Series
Applications are now closed. Please check back in the Fall.
The New Works Fresh Voices and the Jazz Links Fellowship programs are supported by the Andrew Mellon Foundation.
2020-2021 AWARDEES
Fred Jackson Jr.
Mr. Jackson was introduced to the saxophone by his band director Brian Standridge at Paul Lawrence Dunbar Middle School in seventh grade. He turned him on to Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins and Duke Ellington. He vowed to follow the path of Jazz. His life would mirror the story of Jazz and it’s migration, which is the Great Migration in the United States.
He attended Southern University, Baton Rouge and had the opportunity of studying with world renowned jazz clarinetist Alvin Batiste and he became the first graduate of his AA in Jazz studies. After receiving his Bachelor's degree from S. U. in 1999, Mr. Jackson moved to Chicago where he jumped into the jazz scene right away. He met many local musicians by performing at the Apartment Lounge and the Velvet Lounge. He has performed along with Maggie Brown, Magic Carpet, Jimmy Bennington, Carrazz / Pati, Crosswinds, Corey Wilkes, Vincent Davis, Harrison Bankhead, Avreeayl Ra, Perry Wilson (who mentored him), Fred Anderson, Saalik Zyiad and many more.
In 2010, he became a member of AACM and he went back to school in 2012 - 14 to pursue his Masters in Jazz studies from DePaul University. He studied with Mark Colby, Dana Hall, Dr Robert Lark and many other professors. He also studied extensively the music of the African diaspora for ten years, mainly the North and West. Magic Carpet allowed him the opportunity to study music from all over the world. He has been teaching pre - k - 8th grade since 2015. Currently he performs with Sitarist (Shanta Nuerulla) and his Erudition Project. Mr. Jackson newest venture is Spacetonic Music, a music publishing label.
Juli wood
For the past twenty five years with five albums as a leader, several studio projects as a side man, and countless worldwide performances, saxophonist, vocalist and composer Juli Wood has established herself as a solid, swinging, lyrical and entertaining performer on Chicago’s music scene. Juli has played many jazz clubs and festivals nationally and internationally; Chicago Jazz Fest, Hyde Park Jazz Fest, Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Chicago’s main jazz clubs – Jazz Showcase, Green Mill, Andy’s and Constellation. Skansen Jazz and Blues (Stockholm , Sweden), Pori Jazz Fest (Finland), Bent J’s club (Aarhus, Denmark), Storyville (Helsinki Finland), Arlandia Jazz Fest (Aaland Islands, Finland) and the ” Made in Chicago ” jazz festival in Poznan Poland to name a few. Juli is in the tradition of saxophonists who were also great vocalists; Cleanhead Vincent, Eddie Harris, and Louis Jordan.
"One of the pleasures of attending the Chicago Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend each year is being able to hear the bevy of local players who make up the windy city jazz scene. Last year’s treat was Juli Wood, a gutsy tenor and baritone saxophonist who also sings with the earthy gusto of an R&B diva filtered through a hard bop sensibility."
Bill Milkowski – JAZZTIMES