Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner Darcy Argue (center) is congratulated by Workshop Musical Directors Michael Abene and Jim McNeely	Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner Darcy Argue conducts his winning piece, "Transit," during the BMI/New Jazz Orchestra's 16th annual showcase concert

Argue's winning piece was selected from among three compositions by a panel of jazz experts, including Dan Morgenstern, eminent jazz historian and Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University; noted jazz pianist, composer and author Kenny Werner; and big band arranger/composer David Matthews. Previous winners of the Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize include Rufus Reid, Jamie Begian, Noriko Ueda and Jon Schapiro.

Last year's Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner, Jon Schapiro, conducts the 2003 Manny Albam Commission entitled "The Road To Nowhere"

Darcy James Argue leads New York's newest jazz orchestra, Secret Society, whose members include Ingrid Jensen, Joel Frahm, Jon Wikan and Rob Wilkerson. He is a founding member of Pulse, a composers' collective featuring current and former BMI Jazz Composers Workshop members. Before joining the Workshop in September 2002, he studied with Workshop co-founder Bob Brookmeyer at the New England Conservatory where he graduated with a Master of Music degree. Argue was awarded the Down Beat Student Music Award for Best Extended Composition in 2002 and the SOCAN Prize for Composition at the 2000 Montreal International Jazz Festival. He has written arrangements for various artists including Renee Rosnes, Shelby Lynne, the Klezmer Conservatory Band and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. His original compositions have been performed by many high school and college ensembles including the Eastman Jazz Orchestra and the McGill Jazz Orchestra. His compositions are published by www.reallygoodmusic.com.

The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop is directed by jazz greats Jim McNeely and Michael Abene. The Workshop offers an environment where composers have the freedom to explore all avenues in the creative process with a focus on innovative large ensemble compositions in a collaborative environment. The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, an adjunct of the Workshop, is a 16-piece modern repertory ensemble featuring top New York musicians who showcase new works regularly in concert and nightclub appearances.

Photos by Gary Gershoff

Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner Jamie Begian (center) shows off his BMI Crystal after the presentation to workshop members Scott Reeves, Anita Brown and Rufus Reid, winner of last year's first Charlie Parker Composition Prize; judges Dan Morgenstern and Phil Schaap; workshop member Rob Middleton, winner of the 1999 Jerry Harrington Composition Award; workshop members J.C. Sanford, Rex Cadwallader, Laura Andel, winner of the 1997 Jerry Harrington Composition Award, and Joe Phillips; workshop director Burt Korall; workshop members Ed Xiques and Debra Weisz; workshop co-musical director Jim McNeely; judge Bill Kirchner; and (kneeling) BMI's Charlie Feldman. photo: Gary Gershoff

His winning piece was selected from among three compositions by a panel of jazz experts including Dan Morgenstern, jazz historian and Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University; WKCR-FM’s Phil Schaap, New York radio’s legendary voice of jazz; and Bill Kirchner, award-winning composer, educator and instrumentalist.

Workshop Co-Musical Director Jim McNeely, Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner Jamie Begian, Workshop Director Burt Korall and BMI's Charlie Feldman

“The three pieces were all excellent, but our decision was unanimous,” said Morgenstern, speaking on behalf of all the judges. “‘Fuzzy Math’ is an impressive work, and reflects the high standards of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop. Congratulations to all involved.”

Workshop Director Burt Korall, Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner Jamie Begian, BMI Foundation President Thea Zavin and Workshop Co-Musical Director Jim McNeely

A member of the Workshop for the past eight years, Jamie Begian began composing for large ensemble in 1990 while still a graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music. He founded the Jamie Begian Big Band in 1998 and it has since earned the reputation of being one of the most original big bands in New York City. The band performs regularly at local clubs like the Knitting Factory and the Cutting Room, and has just finished recording a CD of 11 compositions including the Charlie Parker Prize-winning work, “Fuzzy Math.” In addition to his work as a composer and a band leader, Begian teaches various guitar and jazz courses at Western Connecticut State University and New York University. He most recently studied composition privately with trombone virtuoso Bob Brookmeyer, the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop’s very first musical director.

The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop is directed by noted jazz authority and author Burt Korall, with co-musical directors Manny Albam, Jim McNeely and Michael Abene. It offers an environment where composers have the freedom to explore all avenues in the creative process with a focus on innovative large ensemble compositions in a collaborative environment. The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, an adjunct of the Workshop, is a 16-piece modern repertory ensemble featuring leading New York musicians who showcase new works regularly in concert and nightclub appearances. Applications for next year’s Workshop are now being accepted.

Rufus Reid

His winning piece was selected from among three compositions by a panel of jazz experts including Dan Morgenstern, Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, composer/arranger/trombonist/band leader Slide Hampton and jazz alto saxophonist Lee Konitz.

"The three pieces were all excellent, but our decision was unanimous," said Morgenstern, speaking on behalf of all the judges. "'Skies Over Emilia' is an impressive work, and reflects the high standards of the Jazz Composers Workshop. Congratulations to all involved."

Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner Rufus Reid (2nd from left), who won for his piece "Skies Over Emilia," shows off his BMI Crystal to BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Director Burt Korall, and Co-Musical Directors Manny Albam and Jim McNeely.

With over 250 recordings to his credit, Reid is no stranger to the international jazz scene. He has performed and recorded with such jazz luminaries as Joe Lovano, Lalo Schifrin, Dizzy Gilespie, Michael Brecker, Stan Getz, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Thad Jones, among others. Born in Atlanta and raised in Sacramento, his musical background began on the trumpet but diverged to the bass during his service in the Air Force. Since then, Reid has established himself as a premier jazz bassist, as well as a respected author and educator. His book, The Evolving Bassist, first published in 1974, continues to be recognized as the definitive source on bass method. In 1997, he was honored by the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) with their Humanitarian Award. His 30 year career on the jazz music scene was profiled in the March 1999 issue of DownBeat magazine.

Winner Rufus Reid (2nd from left) is congratulated by BMI's Robbin Ahrold and judges Dan Morgenstern, Slide Hampton and Lee Konitz.

The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop is directed by noted jazz authority and author Burt Korall, with co-musical directors Manny Albam, Jim McNeely and Michael Abene. It offers an environment where composers have the freedom to explore all avenues in the creative process with a focus on innovative large ensemble compositions in a collaborative environment. The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, an adjunct of the Workshop, is a 16 piece modern repertory ensemble featuring leading New York musicians who showcase new works regularly in concert and nightclub appearances. Applications for next year's Workshop are now being accepted.

Founded in 1985 by BMI Senior Vice President Theodora Zavin, the BMI Foundation, Inc. offers grants which make possible the continuation and development of creative programs for the composition of new music and the performance of these new compositions.

BMI, founded in 1940, is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 250,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music. Through its music performance and reciprocal agreements with sister organizations around the world, it grants businesses and media access to its repertoire of more than 4.5 million songs and compositions.

Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize winner Rufus Reid (2nd from left), who won for his piece "Skies Over Emilia," shows off his BMI Crystal to BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Director Burt Korall, and Co-Musical Directors Manny Albam and Jim McNeely.

"It is an honor to establish this new award in the name of one of BMI's greatest jazz composers, the legendary Charlie Parker," said BMI Foundation President Thea Zavin. "This prize reinforces the Workshop's mission to nurture the next generation of jazz composers and is very befitting of his name."

Winner Rufus Reid (2nd from left) is congratulated by BMI's Robbin Ahrold and judges Dan Morgenstern, Slide Hampton and Lee Konitz.

The winning piece will be selected by a panel of jazz experts including Dan Morgenstern, writer/critic and Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, composer/arranger/trombonist/band leader Slide Hampton and jazz alto saxophonist Lee Konitz.

At the July 20 Merkin Hall concert, the 16-piece BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra, an integral part of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, will showcase 10 of the best pieces created over the past year. Compositions nominated for the Charlie Parker Award will be performed for the judges during the first half of the concert and the winning work will be named at the end of the evening.

The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop is directed by noted jazz authority and author Burt Korall, with esteemed co-musical directors Manny Albam, Jim McNeely and Michael Abene. It offers an environment where composers have the freedom to explore all avenues in the creative process with a focus on innovative large ensemble compositions in a collaborative environment.

Founded in 1985 by BMI Senior Vice President Theodora Zavin, the BMI Foundation, Inc. offers grants which make possible the continuation and development of creative programs for the composition of new music and the performance of these new compositions. With the aid of the distinguished writers, composers and publishers who serve on the Foundation's Advisory Panel and the executive staff from BMI who serve as its officers, the Foundation's grants offer a platform of support that fosters the growth of young composers and ensures the continuation of the heritage of American musical ingenuity for generations to come.

BMI, founded in 1940, is an American performing rights organization that represents more than 250,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music. Through its music performance and reciprocal agreements with sister organizations around the world, it grants businesses and media access to its repertoire of more than 4.5 million songs and compositions.