New School Of Music, Austin

MEET TJBC Featured Artist -- JOEL FRAHM
Performer, recording artist, teacher
https://newschoolofmusic.net/texas-jazz-blues-camp

This year, we are excited to have acclaimed jazz saxophonist, Joel Frahm as our featured artist and clinician on June 17th at Texas Jazz & Blues Camp!

After more than 30 years playing in New York City jazz clubs and years working in the Nashville music scene, Joel joined the music faculty at Texas State University He has honed his craft working alongside top jazz artists such as Betty Carter, Kenny Barron, Freddy Cole, and many others.

Joel's bold, inventive tenor sax sound has won fans in the U.S. and across the world. He has played as a leader or sideman on more than 100 recordings and has appeared at jazz festivals all around the world.

In addition to his work as a performer, he has taught jazz classes in clinics at the University of North Carolina, the University of Connecticut, New York University, Wichita State University, the University of North Texas, Baylor University, Colorado State University, Furman University, the University of Toronto and others. He also has worked at the Monterey Jazz Festival's Next Generation program, the Sant Andreu Youth Jazz Orchestra in Spain, the Dave Brubeck Institute in California, and a bunch more.

Joel grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and moved to West Hartford, Connecticut as a high school freshman, where he became part of the acclaimed Hall High School jazz band. It was there he developed a passion for jazz, exploring the music of jazz greats such as Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver and Wayne Shorter. In 1992, he received a bachelor's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

MEET JOE MORALES
Saxophone, Jazz Clinics
https://www.newschoolofmusic.net/texas-jazz-blues-camp/

Joe Morales has performed in Austin, Texas for the last 40 years and is a recording session player, arranger, producer, composer, and music teacher. Joe has recorded on many albums with artists such, as Linda Ronstadt, John Hyatt, Flaco Jimenez, Texas Tornadoes, Freddie Fender, Duck Soup, The Brew and hundreds more.

As a jingle singer, Joe has performed in over 100 jingles. He received a Grammy Plaque for his work in arranging and performing on a Flaco Jimenez CD, and he also received the "Joe Morales Day" award in 1993 from Mayor Bruce Todd in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community through his musicianship.

Joe has led summer jazz camps for children for 31 years and has taught privately for 42 years. Joe started a jazz group for kids that meets weekly called the AUSTIN JAZZ CLUB, and meets year-round. Joe holds a monthly residency with the Brew (Saturdays) at the world-famous Elephant Room. Currently Joe is the jazz consultant to the Eanes Jazz Program and the McCallum Jazz Program (school of fine arts).

🎶 NSM Student Concert - This Sunday! 🎶

It''s been a bit since our last performance, and we are excited to finally have another New School of Music Austin student concert this Sunday, May 17th at St. Martin's Chapel!

We will start off the first thirty minutes with our pop/rock bands from Cedars Middle School and Cedars High School, led by touring drummer and drum tech Kenny Sharretts, who has worked in major touring acts in large arena settings.

After that, the New School Jazz Club set will follow right after and continue the night as usual.

We’ll have a full PA and sound setup, and the chapel is a nice space, so everyone should plan to attend and support the students. Please dress up a little for the event.

Taking photos and videos is welcome!

Hope to see everyone there 🎷🥁🎸

🎶 The drawing is officially open!

We've been doing this with paper drawing cards, and now you can enter online too!

You have the chance to win a completely free spot at Texas Jazz & Blues Camp.

Just fill out the form at TexasJazzAndBluesCamp.com and you're in.

Camp is open to students ages 11 to adult- mostly high schoolers. You'll want at least 2 years on your instrument and an interest in learning to improvise. Previous jazz experience is preferred but not required.

Don't miss your shot. The sooner you're in, the better.
(One entry per person. Non-transferable, no cash value.)

https://texasjazzandbluescamp.com

MEET JAY LEACH
Pedal Steel Guitarist, Guitarist, Composer & Educator
https://newschoolofmusic.net/texas-jazz-blues-camp/

Jay Leach is a longtime professional musician based in Los Angeles, originally from Wichita, Kansas. He began studying steel guitar at age eight and was performing with local musicians by his early teens. At fifteen, he formed and eventually led The Fabulous Apostles, a six-piece R&B show band that toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, and was later inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

After relocating to California to pursue a professional music career, Jay worked as a guitarist in Los Angeles and quickly established himself in the studio and live scene. Early in his career, he connected with another "Up-and-coming" guitarist Jay Graydon.

Jay went on to perform with major touring and recording acts, and has worked with artists such as Emmylou Harris, Roy Orbison, Barry Manilow, John Denver, and more. His career expanded into television and film work, most notably a ten-year role as principal pedal steel guitarist and utility musician for American Idol.

As a solo artist, Jay has released eight albums and authored three instructional books with Mel Bay Publications covering acoustic guitar, lap steel, and pedal steel guitar.

He continues to work today as a freelance musician, recording artist, and educator.

MEET DON BRADEN
Texas Jazz & Blues Camp Music Director
https://www.newschoolofmusic.net/texas-jazz-blues-camp/

We are proud to have Don Braden - Jazz Saxophonist Flutist Composer EducatorFlutist Composer Educator as our Music Director again for our 11th annual Texas Jazz and Blues Camp in Austin. Our camp is on June 14-20 at the beautiful St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and is open to day campers and residential campers.

Don is a Jazz musician of the highest caliber. For over 40 years he has toured the world leading his own ensembles on saxophone and flute, as a special guest, and as a sideman with Jazz greats Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Roy Haynes, and many others.

He has composed music for ensembles ranging from duo to full symphonic orchestra, in many styles, for recordings (including 24 CDs as a leader and over 80 as a sideman), film, and the television networks Nickelodeon and CBS. Braden is a leading arranger of contemporary standards, and has built a solid collection of newer American songs into his Jazz repertoire.

He is also a world renowned educator, having spent over two decades giving master classes at countless schools and universities, and running first class educational programs such as the Litchfield Jazz Camp, NJPAC's Wells Fargo Jazz For Teens, and the Harvard University Monday Jazz Band.

He is an imaginative, technically excellent, soulful saxophonist, and his harmonic and rhythmic sophistication give him a unique approach to improvising as well as composing and arranging. Most important of all: he has a beautiful sound, and he swings! All this combines with his joyous yet disciplined personality to make him one of the most important musicians working today.

🎶 Unlock your improvisational potential this summer and find your unique voice through world-class workshops and live jam sessions at Texas Jazz & Blues Camp.

Our 11th annual Texas Jazz & Blues Camp returns to Austin in June 2026. This program is for students ages 11–adult and focuses on strong musicianship, confidence, and creativity in a supportive, non-competitive setting.

Students are placed by level (no pre-audition), work in small combos, and learn from outstanding jazz educators.

🎓 Partial and Full Scholarships are available.
📍 Hosted by New School of Music, Austin
🔗 TexasJazzAndBluesCamp.com