SOCAN AND CAJE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE 2009 PHIL NIMMONS COMPOSITION AWARDS WINNERS:

Emerging Composer: Darcy James Argue

Vancouver-born, Brooklyn-based composer-bandleader Darcy James Argue directs Secret Society, a “powerful and well-stocked ensemble” (New York Times) featuring his “ambitious, sprawling, mesmerizing” music (Montreal Gazette). Secret Society is an 18-piece steampunk bigband that envisions an alternative musical history, one in which the dance orchestras that ruled the Swing Era never went extinct, but continued to evolve with the times, remaining a vital part of the musical landscape straight through the present day. Argue’s compositions bring together “a big, broad musical vocabulary” (New York Times), one which invokes “Duke Ellington and minimalism and Tortoise and Funkadelic and Elliott Carter and much else besides melding into one floating, shifting, dodging music” (zoilus.com).

Secret Society includes powerful soloists like Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Sam Sadigursky (saxophones), and Ryan Keberle (trombone), and is anchored by the “scarily good” (nightafternight.com) rhythm section of Matt Clohesy (bass) and Jon Wikan (drums). The group headlined a night at the 2008 New Languages Festival, a performance All About Jazz called “the highlight of the evening.” They have performed at a variety of venues around NYC, including Le Poisson Rouge, the Jazz Gallery, the Living Theatre, Makor, Flux Factory, and the Bowery Poetry Club, and recently completed a tour of Eastern Canada. Their deubt recording will be released on New Amsterdam Records in May 2009.

Established Composer: Mike Malone

Trumpet player and composer/arranger, Mike Malone has been part of the Canadian jazz music scene since the early 1970’s. As a member of Nimmons ‘N’ 9 plus 6, he played on the historic recording of The Atlantic Suite – winner of the first Juno Award for Jazz. His compositions and arrangements have been recorded by: the Ted Moses Quintet, the Mother Necessity Big Band, the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra, Ranee Lee, The Alex Dean Quintet and the 11:00 O’Clock big band of the University of Toronto.

Since 1986 he has been a member of the full-time faculty at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, teaching courses in theory and composition, ear training, jazz improvisation and trumpet.

Currently, he plays with Ted’s Warren Commission, the Darcy Hepner Big Band and continues to write for and perform with the Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra.

In addition to his work at Mohawk College, Mike conducts improvisation workshops at York University in Toronto.

IAJE CANADA SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT 2008
IAJE Canada, the Canadian Section of the
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR JAZZ EDUCATION
is pleased to announce that the following scholarships
are available to graduating high school students.

1. A $500 (CDN) PHIL NIMMONS SCHOLARSHIP donated by YAMAHA CANADA to encourage a talented WOODWIND jazz student to continue his/her studies at a post-secondary institution of his/her choice in Canada.

2. A $500 (CDN) DON E. CLARK SCHOLARSHIP donated by YAMAHA CANADA to encourage a talented BRASS jazz student to continue his/her studies at a post-secondary institution of his/her choice in Canada.

Applications are now being received from students who are:

1. Actively involved in a prescribed school music (jazz) program (instrumental and/or vocal).

2. Destined for a post-secondary educational institution to continue in jazz related studies.

The application form must be accompanied by:

1. A personal letter in which the applicant self evaluates his/her personal music and academic strengths as they apply to future studies and career plans, and includes a list of all extra-curricular activities.

2. a) A good quality cassette recording or CD containing performances demonstrating musicality (level of performance on a major instrument) and versatility (demonstrated by performance on other instruments or voice if applicable). The recording must start with the applicant’s name, introduction of instrument/voice and selections and/or,

b) a good quality cassette recording or CD and score of an original composition for jazz combo or ensemble (instrumental or vocal). Part (b) is optional.

3. Two letters of recommendation, one written by the applicant's current high school, private, and/or community music teacher. The music teacher's letter must include a statement that he/she has listened to the audition tape and is a current member of IAJE.

4. A certified copy of the applicant's high school grade transcript with the additional listing of current courses and grades achieved at the time of submission. Scholarship monies will be paid to the successful candidate’s designated post secondary institution upon receipt of proof of acceptance or fees paid. If the candidate has paid fees in full, it will be the responsibility of the institution to offer a refund to the candidate. Scholarship monies are for tuition only and will not be paid to individuals.

The submitted application package must be received on or before June 30, 2008.

All applications can now be filed via email – send audio files and all supporting documents to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Download the application by clicking 2008 IAJE Canada Scholarships 

Did you know that you can receive a tax-deductible charitable receipt for every donation made to CAJE. Your donation helps support our many scholarship and educational programs across Canada.

Donations can be mailed to our office throughout the year.
Please make your cheque payable to:

Canadian Association for Jazz Education (CAJE)
6071 Meadowglen Drive
Ottawa, ON, K1C 5R7

Thanks for your support!