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Live Performing Arts Academy
JOIN US APRIL 26 - 27, 2024
Open to Middle Schools, High Schools, and Colleges!
SCHEDULE FORMAT
Friday, April 26
-
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM - Performance #1
30-minute time slots on an outdoor stage -
Various clinics and master classes
throughout the day -
7:30 PM - Guest Artist Concert
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10:00 PM - Jam Session
Saturday-April 27
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8:00 AM to 6:00 PM - Performance #2
30-minute time slots on a different stage with a different set of judges -
Various clinics and master classes
throughout the day -
7:00 PM - Finals competition with the top finalists' performance play-off
Sunday - April 28
-
Head home
California Jazz Championships Friday Night Concert Event
Featuring
THE NEW YORK SEVEN
special guest artists The LPAA Jazz Orchestra and Vox Now
Friday, April 26, 2024, 7:30 PM atThe Palladio
Hank Allen-Barfield
Hank Allen-Barfield is a young, up and coming jazz drummer in New York City. Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Hank picked up the drums at age 10 after being influenced by his father, John Allen, who was a successful professional musician in the nineties.
Hank finished his undergraduate studies in 2021 at William Paterson University and will complete his graduate studies at The Juilliard School in 2024. While in school, he had the opportunity to study with Joe Farnsworth, Kenny Washington, Billy Drummond, Bill Charlap, Vincent Herring, Harold Mabern, Mike LeDonne, Bill Goodwin, and many others. Since moving to New York City, Hank’s reputation of being a hard hitting and swinging drummer spread quickly and has since been a regular performer at clubs such as Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Mezzrow Jazz Club, Cafe Bohemia, The Jazz Forum, and The Django among others. Hank regularly leads his own band at Smalls Jazz Club and the Django, as well as the historical Café Bohemia. Hank recently has been a part of groups led by 2 time Grammy Award winner Samara Joy, Vincent Herring, Jerry Weldon, Bruce Harris, Erena Terakubo, Mike LeDonne, Julius Rodriguez, Sarah Hanahan, Jeb Patton, Ray Gallon, James Morrison and a multitude of others, and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., accompanying Stella Cole. Hank endorses Paiste Cymbals and was welcomed into the Paiste artist family with an endorsement in February of 2023.
Hank finished his undergraduate studies in 2021 at William Paterson University and will complete his graduate studies at The Juilliard School in 2024. While in school, he had the opportunity to study with Joe Farnsworth, Kenny Washington, Billy Drummond, Bill Charlap, Vincent Herring, Harold Mabern, Mike LeDonne, Bill Goodwin, and many others. Since moving to New York City, Hank’s reputation of being a hard hitting and swinging drummer spread quickly and has since been a regular performer at clubs such as Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Mezzrow Jazz Club, Cafe Bohemia, The Jazz Forum, and The Django among others. Hank regularly leads his own band at Smalls Jazz Club and the Django, as well as the historical Café Bohemia. Hank recently has been a part of groups led by 2 time Grammy Award winner Samara Joy, Vincent Herring, Jerry Weldon, Bruce Harris, Erena Terakubo, Mike LeDonne, Julius Rodriguez, Sarah Hanahan, Jeb Patton, Ray Gallon, James Morrison and a multitude of others, and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., accompanying Stella Cole. Hank endorses Paiste Cymbals and was welcomed into the Paiste artist family with an endorsement in February of 2023.
Caelan Cardello
Born into a musical household in Teaneck, NJ, Caelan Cardello practically had music infused in his DNA from the start. He started playing piano at the age of 5 and within two years had begun parallel arcs of formal training in both classical and jazz piano, starting with jazz pianist/arranger Allen Farnham and Juilliard classical alum Steve Masi. Caelan’s consistent musical growth enabled him to secure mentorships with some of the most sought after luminaries in the jazz piano pantheon, most notably Fred Hersch, Frank Kimbrough and Dave Kikoski.
Caelan’s early involvement with several distinguished arts programs figure prominently in his musical development. First and foremost was the renowned Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ - a comprehensive and immersive community jazz arts program developed and run by jazz vocalist Melissa Walker and husband, bass icon Christian McBride. Caelan often held “featured artist” status when playing with the JHK ensembles and his 7 years with the program afforded him invaluable opportunities to play and study with some of the most prominent figures in jazz today including Jimmy Cobb, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jack DeJohnette, Wallace Roney, Ravi Coltrane, Paquito D'Rivera, pop songsmith Bruce Hornsby and of course Christian McBride to name but a few. As an alumnist of the program, Caelan’s affiliation has continually opened doors for him to perform with many other celebrated jazz greats in NYC’s legendary jazz haunts like Dizzy’s Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Smalls Jazz Club and The Jazz Standard.
Caelan cites two additional program experiences as being particularly impactful; they are his performances with The New Jersey All State Orchestra (2016, 2017) and the prestigious National Young Arts NYC program (2018) for which he was selected from a substantial and very competitive pool of talented young musicians.
Over time, Caelan’s musical accomplishments and live performances have garnered him several prestigious awards including the New Jersey Governor's Award, the James Moody College Scholarship Award for “Outstanding Musicianship,” and the prestigious 2021 BMI Foundation’s Future Jazz Master Award which lists Ahmad Jamal, Ron Carter and Herbie Hancock among their judges. One honor of particular mention is the “Outstanding Soloist” award he received at the Charles Mingus HS Competition & Festival which resulted in Caelan being “tapped” for a “sub” slot with the Mingus Big Band at the Jazz Standard in NYC. Most recently, Caelan was selected as one of the five finalists for the very prestigious American Pianists Awards. The competition prize includes career assistance and touring, with a value of over $200,000.
Caelan’s early involvement with several distinguished arts programs figure prominently in his musical development. First and foremost was the renowned Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ - a comprehensive and immersive community jazz arts program developed and run by jazz vocalist Melissa Walker and husband, bass icon Christian McBride. Caelan often held “featured artist” status when playing with the JHK ensembles and his 7 years with the program afforded him invaluable opportunities to play and study with some of the most prominent figures in jazz today including Jimmy Cobb, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jack DeJohnette, Wallace Roney, Ravi Coltrane, Paquito D'Rivera, pop songsmith Bruce Hornsby and of course Christian McBride to name but a few. As an alumnist of the program, Caelan’s affiliation has continually opened doors for him to perform with many other celebrated jazz greats in NYC’s legendary jazz haunts like Dizzy’s Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Smalls Jazz Club and The Jazz Standard.
Caelan cites two additional program experiences as being particularly impactful; they are his performances with The New Jersey All State Orchestra (2016, 2017) and the prestigious National Young Arts NYC program (2018) for which he was selected from a substantial and very competitive pool of talented young musicians.
Over time, Caelan’s musical accomplishments and live performances have garnered him several prestigious awards including the New Jersey Governor's Award, the James Moody College Scholarship Award for “Outstanding Musicianship,” and the prestigious 2021 BMI Foundation’s Future Jazz Master Award which lists Ahmad Jamal, Ron Carter and Herbie Hancock among their judges. One honor of particular mention is the “Outstanding Soloist” award he received at the Charles Mingus HS Competition & Festival which resulted in Caelan being “tapped” for a “sub” slot with the Mingus Big Band at the Jazz Standard in NYC. Most recently, Caelan was selected as one of the five finalists for the very prestigious American Pianists Awards. The competition prize includes career assistance and touring, with a value of over $200,000.
Jason Clotter
Jason Clotter, a bassist from Puerto Cortes Honduras has currently resides in the mecca of jazz in New York City. During his years migrating from Honduras to New York City, he has studied the bass at age17 when he was invited to Ceila Cruz Bronx High school of music. He has grown tremendously since he started playing the bass in high school. Clotter has taken part in many prestigious programs such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, NAFME, Manhattan School of Music and much more. Clotter has shared the stage with numerous great musicians such as Eli Yamen, Stacy Dillard, Samara Joy, Vincent Gardner, Marquis Hill, Wallace Roney, Eric Lewis, Steve Davis, Jerry Weldon, Anthony Wonsey, Vincent Herring, Wynton Marsalis and many more Jazz legends. He has performed in many prestigious venues around the world such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Grand Ole Opry and Reduta Jazz Club (Czech Republic). Clotter has been selected to be apart many programs such as Jazz Lincoln Center, Manhattan School of Music pre-college, Bloomingdales school in music, Skidmore Jazz Institute and much more. Jason has graduated Purchase College of Class 2020 and currently Jason Clotter has been storming the jazz scene as an upcoming bassist. It is Jason’s mission to create beautiful music and keep the music alive and going.
Alex De Lazzari
Originally from Italy but growing up in the Washington D.C. area, saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Alex De Lazzari first picked up the saxophone at age 12. Shortly after hearing a few John Coltrane records he was hooked, and began delving deeper into jazz, winning awards and competitions while still in high school.
Alex made the move to the New York City area in 2017, and attended William Paterson University. Here, he studied under jazz greats such as Mike LeDonne, Bill Charlap, Vincent Herring, Rich Perry, and the late great Harold Mabern. Even before graduating in 2021, Alex began playing gigs in New York, and has now established himself as one of the strongest young voices on the tenor saxophone today.
He has performed at countless venues along the east coast and overseas, such as the Petworth Citizen in Washington DC, Orania in Berlin, the Umbria Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club, Smalls Jazz Club, and the Blue Note in New York City, among other places, with the likes of people like Winard Harper, Lonnie Plaxico, Bobby Sanabria, and Zaccai Curtis. Alex now keeps a busy schedule of performing and teaching around the New York City area.
Alex made the move to the New York City area in 2017, and attended William Paterson University. Here, he studied under jazz greats such as Mike LeDonne, Bill Charlap, Vincent Herring, Rich Perry, and the late great Harold Mabern. Even before graduating in 2021, Alex began playing gigs in New York, and has now established himself as one of the strongest young voices on the tenor saxophone today.
He has performed at countless venues along the east coast and overseas, such as the Petworth Citizen in Washington DC, Orania in Berlin, the Umbria Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club, Smalls Jazz Club, and the Blue Note in New York City, among other places, with the likes of people like Winard Harper, Lonnie Plaxico, Bobby Sanabria, and Zaccai Curtis. Alex now keeps a busy schedule of performing and teaching around the New York City area.
Sarah Hanahan
Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music where she received her Bachelor’s degree in 2019, as well as The Juilliard School where she received her Master’s degree in 2022. She has had the privilege of studying with some of the greats of our time including Abraham Burton, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Billy Drummond, and Marc Cary.
Recently, Sarah has been working with many renowned musicians including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nat Reeves, Peter Martin, Steve Davis, Billy Hart, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Marc Cary and many others. Sarah plays regularly with her own band in venues around NYC such as Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Birdland Jazz Club, The Django, and more. She also recently had the opportunity to play for the 2023 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert at the Kennedy Center honoring Sue Mingus with the Mingus Dynast Band. Sarah tours both nationwide and internationally with Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Sherrie Miracle and the Diva Orchestra, Joe Farnsworth, and the Grammy award-winning Mingus Big Band.
Sarah was recently featured in the first-ever class of NPR Jazz Night in America’s Youngbloods. The series features “five up-and-coming jazz geniuses who are revolutionizing their genre” - all of whom are under the age of 30.
Stay tuned for her upcoming album - to be released Spring 2024 under Jazz at Lincoln Center’s label, Blue Engine. The album features Marc Cary, Nat Reeves, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and special guest, Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Recently, Sarah has been working with many renowned musicians including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nat Reeves, Peter Martin, Steve Davis, Billy Hart, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Marc Cary and many others. Sarah plays regularly with her own band in venues around NYC such as Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Birdland Jazz Club, The Django, and more. She also recently had the opportunity to play for the 2023 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert at the Kennedy Center honoring Sue Mingus with the Mingus Dynast Band. Sarah tours both nationwide and internationally with Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Sherrie Miracle and the Diva Orchestra, Joe Farnsworth, and the Grammy award-winning Mingus Big Band.
Sarah was recently featured in the first-ever class of NPR Jazz Night in America’s Youngbloods. The series features “five up-and-coming jazz geniuses who are revolutionizing their genre” - all of whom are under the age of 30.
Stay tuned for her upcoming album - to be released Spring 2024 under Jazz at Lincoln Center’s label, Blue Engine. The album features Marc Cary, Nat Reeves, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and special guest, Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Jasim Perales
Jasim Perales is a trombonist from Oakland, California who started playing trombone in the fourth grade, and was exposed to jazz while attending the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music Summer Program, under the tutelage of Angela Wellman. Jasim has played in various settings with esteemed professionals including Joshua Redman, Bob Mintzer, Robin Eubanks, Wynton Marsalis, Ted Nash, Terri Lyne Carrington, Reggie Workman, Scarlett Johansson, Matt Damon, Bryan Carter, Common, Mary J. Blige, Cynthia Erivo, Billy Eichner, Tituss Burgess, the Son Jarocho Collective, the Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra in their small ensemble/octet configuration, SFJAZZ, The O'Jays, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, the Mingus Big Band, and NPR's Tiny Desk. Jasim was a member of the GRAMMY Band, and several years ago, he was recognized as a YoungArts Merit Award winner. Jasim Perales is currently a full-time member of the Grammy award-winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. He completed his Master's degree at the Juilliard School, under the tutelage of musicians such as Elliot Mason, Frank Kimbrough, Steve Turre, Jason Jackson, Charenee Wade, and Wynton Marsalis.
Andrew Wagner
Andrew Wagner is an up-and-coming jazz trumpet player from the NY/NJ metropolitan area and a graduate of William Paterson University, where he studied with trumpet master Jeremy Pelt. After listening to a recording of Clifford Brown in high school, he pursued his passion for playing. Andrew’s playing has a unique combination of tradition while still being modern. Andrew is a recipient of the James Moody scholarship and has played and led his bands at various clubs around the city such as the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the Django, Smalls, Cellar Dog, and many more. Andrew has performed with musicians such as Winard Harper, Joe Farnsworth, Christian McBride, and Nat Reeves. Andrew currently keeps a busy schedule teaching and playing in the NY/NJ area.
California Jazz Championships venue host
Four Stages!
Folsom, CA
LPAA JAZZ BAND
Performances
Saturday, May 18
Wilton Community Center
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Sunday, May 19
Yorba Winery
5:00pm - 7:00pm
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