New York Youth Symphony: Jazz Band Classic

          16-piece blowout band of the swing era

               Matt Holman, Director
               Scott Ninmer, Manager

Jazz Band Classic is a 17-member brass-wind-and-percussion ensemble dedicated to studying, rehearsing, and performing classic big band jazz music. Modeled on the bands of the 1930's and 1940's, Jazz Band Classic preserves this heritage and, keeping with jazz traditions, incorporates it into the current and emerging styles that define the genre for the present generation.

Rehearsals

Jazz Band Classic rehearses once a week from 6:00-8:30pm in Manhattan, at Michiko Studios, 149 West 46th Street.

Performances

Jazz Band Classic presents eight performances during its season: three at Garage Restaurant, four at Symphony Space, and a final performance in the Allen Room of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Clinics

Throughout the season, rehearsals are augmented by masterclass clinics with some of today's most eminent jazz professionals.

Guest Artists

Jazz Band Classic has featured soloists such as Joe Lovano, Scott Wendholt, Suzanne Morrison, Steve Turre, Warren Vaché, Victor Goines, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Joe Locke, Eric Reed, Lew Soloff, Gary Smulyan and Frank Wess, giving students a chance to play alongside today's most exciting professional musicians.

Auditions

Auditions are held annually in September or October. Please check the auditions section of our website for eligiblity and fee requirements, application information, and audition dates.

Note: Prospective applicants are urged to review the Musician Guidelines and check for scheduling conflicts before applying for an audition.

Contact us to receive an audition brochure.

Jazz Band Classic Staff

Matt Holman, Music Director

Performer/composer/educator Matt Holman has performed with such diverse artists as Fred Hersch, Kurt Elling, Darcy James Argue, Jon Gordon, and Bob Newhart. He has earned national and international performance awards including the International Trumpet Guild’s Jazz Improvisation Competition, the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, the National Trumpet Competition, Downbeat, and ASCAP. As a composer Matt has been commissioned to write works for Marvin Stamm, Ed Soph, David Baker, and the National Conservatory of Costa Rica. Also a dedicated and passionate educator, he has taught at the Birch Creek Performance Center, the British School of Chicago, and the Manhattan School of Music. Matt holds a M.M. from Manhattan School of Music and a B.M. from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he was also awarded the Performer's Certificate.