Charlie Parker Composition Prize winner Jon Schapiro (center) is congratulated by competition judge Bill Crow, BMI's Robbin Ahrold, Workshop Musical Director Jim McNeely, Workshop Co-Founder Burt Korall, and competition judges Phil Schaap and Dan Morgenstern

Schapiro's winning piece was selected from among three compositions by a panel of jazz experts, including Dan Morgenstern, writer/critic and Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University; WKCR-FM's Paul Schaap, New York radio's renowned voice of jazz; and Bill Crow, noted jazz bass player and author.

Schapiro has just completed his third year in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop and is currently an adjunct instructor at Yeshiva University in New York, specifically at the Stern College for Women, where he teaches American Music: Jazz and Blues. As a composer, Jon has previously received commissions from the brass quintet Basic'ly Brass! and from the Dance in Education Fund. His arrangements can also be heard on Denise Jannah's US debut, I Was Born In Love With You on Blue Note Records. A native New Yorker, Jon has studied with David Berger at the Manhattan School of Music and with both Workshop Director Jim McNeely and Dinu Ghezzo at NYU, where he is a doctoral candidate in composition. While studying jazz composition and jazz history, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music.

Seen here after the BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra concert at Merkin Hall are (front row) Charlie Parker Composition Prize winner Jon Schapiro, Workshop composers Anita Brown, Rob Middleton (1999 Charlie Parker Prize winner), Tony Gairo, Don Fornuto and Noriko Ueda (2002 Charlie Parker Prize winner); (back row) Workshop composers J.C. Sanford and Joseph R. Phillips, Jr., Workshop Musical Director Jim McNeely, and Workshop composers Scott Reeves, Deborah Weisz and Darcy James Argue

The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop is directed by pianists/composers/arrangers 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 leading New York musicians who showcase new works regularly in concert and nightclub appearances.

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Support comes primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 97% of all donations and interest income are used for charitable grants. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allow by law.

photos: Gary Gershoff]]> 2003-07-31T18:00:00+00:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/232999 Albam, Manny, Begian, Jamie, Kirchner, Bill, McNeely, Jim, Middleton, Rob, Parker, Charlie, Reid, Rufus, Zavin, Thea, Jazz, Foundation, Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize Big band leader and composer Jamie Begian has been named the winner of the second annual BMI Foundation/Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize for his piece, “Fuzzy Math.” The $3000 award, given to the writer of the best new work composed in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, was presented during the Workshop’s annual Showcase Concert at Merkin Hall on July 19. Begian’s prize also includes a commission to write another piece to be premiered at next year’s concert.

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.

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.