HELP JACOB STUDY AT THE ‘TRIBECA JAZZ INSTITUTE’ IN NYC
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Hi, Firstly I’d like to say thank you for taking the time to read this. Whether you’ve met me before, had this shared to you or you’re just coming across it I really appreciate your time and hope you can see just how important this is to me.
My name’s Jacob, I’m a 21-year-old saxophonist originally from Kent and currently living in Southeast London where I’m studying at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, working towards a BMus Hons in Jazz performance. However, before I graduate next summer, I’ve been presented with an incredible opportunity to advance my studies in a way I’d never dreamed possible this soon.
Following a lesson with my longtime hero, NY based Saxophonist Grant Stewart, back in January, I was offered a place to study at his prestigious and exclusive intensive program that runs for a 12-week semester right in the heart of New York City. This program, called the ‘Tribeca Jazz Institute’, was set up by Grant to quote, “help exceptional young musicians whose goal is to take their playing to the next level”. Run by some of the greatest musicians in NYC (and thus the world) the program is an opportunity like no other for me to take my playing to the next level.
WHY THIS PAGE EXISTS:
Despite all my excitement about TJI and all the incredible things it will do for me as a player, I’m currently facing the issue of trying to fund the experience. Whilst Tribeca aims to be as affordable as possible it still comes at a cost and of course on top of this I’ll have to live in NYC for 12 weeks, finding both accommodation and living expenses, on top of various travel costs and flights. All of this adds up to an amount of over $10,000, which I simply just don’t have and whilst I have an amazing support network of family around me, this is obviously an amount of money they’re not able to spare either.
Whilst I’m exploring lots of different avenues of trying to raise money, I know I’m still going to need more help so I’m setting up this page in the hope of spreading the word to anyone who feels they would like to contribute to this lifechanging opportunity for me. I can't stress enough just how incredible of an opportunity this is; to be a part of a community and environment like Tribeca is something special and it would be devastating to miss out on it. Below is some more details about the program...
THE TRIBECA JAZZ INSTITUTE:
The following is a quote from Grant Stewart, which encapsulates just how big of an opportunity the Tribeca Jazz Institute is.
“This is an elite, short term and intensive program in the heart of NYC with the world's top jazz artists instructing a very select group of professional level musicians. These players have been handpicked from the U.S, Canada, South America, Asia and Europe. The fact that Mr. Wilson has been chosen for this program is an attestation to his exceptional abilities and worthiness of your support in his endeavors.”
I’ve attached a link to TJI’s website here (https://www.churchstreetschool.org/jazz-facultymembers) but here’s just a few of the incredible names who’d I be learning under over the course of my studies...
Grant Stewart, Chris Byars, Eric Alexander, Vincent Herring, Harry Allen, Pasquale Grasso, Bruce Harris, Jeremy Pelt, David Hazeltine, Willie Jones III, Lucy Yeghiazaryan and so many more. These are without a doubt some of the greatest players on the planet and this rare opportunity to spend time with them in both a 1-1 and group context in such a concentrated environment is something I’d never get otherwise.
For those reading this that know me, you’ll already understand just how important all of this is to me. For those, however, who are reading this and don’t know me let me give you a brief background as to how I came to playing music and what I’ve been doing since arriving in London a few years ago...
ABOUT ME:
I’ve been playing music since the age of 9, finding a passion for the saxophone at around 13, and decided after my A levels that I wanted to study music further and pursue a career as a professional jazz musician. I auditioned for various universities and after receiving offers from Trinity, the Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, I decided Trinity was the best environment for me to advance my playing. Since moving to London in 2022 I’ve been carrying out my studies at Trinity alongside beginning to establish myself as a player on the London Jazz Scene, having the opportunity to play at some notable venues such as... Pizza Express Clubs Soho & The Pheasantry, The Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, The 606 Club, Alfie’s Club Soho, The Vortex Jazz Club, as well as We Out Here Festival and Brick Lane Jazz Festival.
Thank you again for reading this, I appreciate any support you can give in my endeavor, whether that be a contribution large or small or sharing this page on. Below are a couple of links to videos of me playing across London as well as my social media. If you wish to contact me further, please feel free to get in touch on there or email me at [email redacted]
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jacobwilson414/
YOUTUBE LINKS:
• Solo from the 606 Club - https://youtu.be/_od1vTko5-I
• Solo from Pizza Express -
TRIBECA JAZZ INSTITUTE:
Organizer
Jacob Wilson
Organizer
England