Berklee to Host Annual Jazz Composition Festival

Berklee’s Harmony and Jazz Composition Department will present the annual Jazz Composition Festival on April 3, 8, and 9 at David Friend Recital Hall in Boston. The concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m. on each of the three nights.

“Berklee’s third Jazz Composition Festival brings together world-class artists Sean Jones, Christine Jensen, and Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar Miguel Zenón for an inspiring exchange of performance and education," said Ayn Inserto, assistant chair of harmony and jazz composition. "Student compositions will shine alongside these jazz giants, showcasing their talents and creativity. This festival is a must-see for Boston’s jazz community.”

The Jazz Composition Festival began in 2023, when three concerts were programmed coincidentally within a single week, leading to the creation of the festival with added clinics and master classes. Over the past three years, the festival has developed into a platform for students and industry professionals to collaborate, perform, and most importantly, allow students to engage in master classes led by esteemed jazz artists such as five-time Grammy Award winner Billy Childs, celebrated trumpeter Ingrid Jensen ’89, drummer Anders Mogensen ’91, and saxophonist Hans Ulrik, to name a few.

This year’s festival will begin on Thursday, April 3, with a performance by the Ayn Inserto Orchestra with Sean Jones. A visionary jazz composer and bandleader known for her dynamic and intricate big band writing, Inserto will collaborate with Jones, an acclaimed trumpeter and educator, for the US premiere of Inserto's "Suite for Sean Jones." Commissioned and premiered by the WDR Big Band, this dynamic new work showcases Inserto’s signature blend of intricate harmonies and bold, expressive storytelling, brought to life by Jones's virtuosic playing. 

Guggenheim and MacArthur fellow Miguel Zenón BM ’98 will lead the Ken Pullig Visiting Scholar Ensemble on Tuesday, April 8. The visionary artist, who is widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists and composers of his generation, will perform alongside Berklee students in a dynamic program of his original compositions. The final concert, Berklee Jazz Composers Workshop Orchestra with Christine Jensen, will take place on Wednesday, April 9. Jensen, a renowned saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, will join the Berklee Jazz Composers Workshop Orchestra for a special performance showcasing original student compositions. As a leading voice in contemporary jazz composition, Jensen’s expressive playing and deep musicality will bring these new works to life. Each piece has been crafted specifically to feature her artistry, making this a unique collaboration between an acclaimed musician and the next generation of jazz composers.

Admission is free for all three events and is open to the public. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. David Friend Recital Hall is located at 921 Boylston Street in Boston.