Oregon Jazz Workshop

Meet Oregon Jazz Workshop Director, Joe Manis. Apply for the July 13-17th Workshop at www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Originally from Dexter, Oregon, SteepleChase recording artist Joe Manis was the recipient of a 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. Recent Joe Manis Trio appearances include Fat Cat NYC, the Shedd Institute’s jazz series, Jimmy Mak's, Tula's, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, and the Montavilla Jazz Festival. Manis has performed on NPR's Jazz Night in America, hosted by Christian McBride.

Manis has toured Europe as a duo and in a trio with David Friesen, where they recorded Structures, a live album. He also appears on Risky Notion (Four stars & Best Albums of 2015, DownBeat Magazine) on Origin Records with George Colligan's Theoretical Planets. Manis has played with Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, including a performance at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, and appears on their album Rise Up! on Real World Records. He has also performed with the George Colligan Quartet, the Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra, the Ken Schaphorst Big Band, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Johnny Mathis, the Temptations, comedian Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, the Oregon Symphony with Gladys Knight, the Portland Opera, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, and the Eugene Opera.

Manis has presented jazz masterclasses across the country, including at University of Nevada, Reno, Whitman College, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Oregon, Ferris State University, Central Washington University, Willamette University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, Pacific University, Lower Columbia College and Mesa, Glendale, Portland, Spokane Falls, Mt. Hood, Clackamas and Lane Community Colleges. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Studies-Performance with Academic Honor from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. Additional studies were at the Eastman School of Music. He is a current faculty member at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College and a former music faculty member at Portland State University, University of Portland and Umpqua Community College. His article "Rhythmic Analysis: Jeff 'Tain' Watts - 'Housed From Edward'" was published in the March 2012 edition of JAZZed Magazine.

Meet Oregon Jazz Workshop Director, Joe Manis. Apply for the July 14-18 Workshop at www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Originally from Dexter, Oregon, SteepleChase recording artist Joe Manis was the recipient of a 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. Recent Joe Manis Trio appearances include Fat Cat NYC, the Shedd Institute’s jazz series, Jimmy Mak's, Tula's, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, and the Montavilla Jazz Festival. Manis has performed on NPR's Jazz Night in America, hosted by Christian McBride.

Manis has toured Europe as a duo and in a trio with David Friesen, where they recorded Structures, a live album. He also appears on Risky Notion (Four stars & Best Albums of 2015, DownBeat Magazine) on Origin Records with George Colligan's Theoretical Planets. Manis has played with Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, including a performance at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, and appears on their album Rise Up! on Real World Records. He has also performed with the George Colligan Quartet, the Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra, the Ken Schaphorst Big Band, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Johnny Mathis, the Temptations, comedian Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, the Oregon Symphony with Gladys Knight, the Portland Opera, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, and the Eugene Opera.

Manis has presented jazz masterclasses across the country, including at University of Nevada, Reno, Whitman College, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Oregon, Ferris State University, Central Washington University, Willamette University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, Pacific University, Lower Columbia College and Mesa, Glendale, Portland, Spokane Falls, Mt. Hood, Clackamas and Lane Community Colleges. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Studies-Performance with Academic Honor from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. Additional studies were at the Eastman School of Music. He is a current faculty member at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College and a former music faculty member at Portland State University and Umpqua Community College. His article "Rhythmic Analysis: Jeff 'Tain' Watts - 'Housed From Edward'" was published in the March 2012 edition of JAZZed Magazine.

Meet Oregon Jazz Workshop Director, Joe Manis. Last minute applications are being accepted for the July 22-26 Workshop at www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Originally from Dexter, Oregon, SteepleChase recording artist Joe Manis was the recipient of a 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. Recent Joe Manis Trio appearances include Fat Cat NYC, the Shedd Institute’s jazz series, Jimmy Mak's, Tula's, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, and the Montavilla Jazz Festival. Manis has performed on NPR's Jazz Night in America, hosted by Christian McBride.

Manis has toured Europe as a duo and in a trio with David Friesen, where they recorded Structures, a live album. He also appears on Risky Notion (Four stars & Best Albums of 2015, DownBeat Magazine) on Origin Records with George Colligan's Theoretical Planets. Manis has played with Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, including a performance at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, and appears on their album Rise Up! on Real World Records. He has also performed with the George Colligan Quartet, the Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra, the Ken Schaphorst Big Band, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Johnny Mathis, the Temptations, comedian Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, the Oregon Symphony with Gladys Knight, the Portland Opera, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, and the Eugene Opera.

Manis has presented jazz masterclasses across the country, including at University of Nevada, Reno, Whitman College, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Oregon, Ferris State University, Central Washington University, Willamette University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, Pacific University, Lower Columbia College and Mesa, Glendale, Portland, Spokane Falls, Mt. Hood, Clackamas and Lane Community Colleges. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Studies-Performance with Academic Honor from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. Additional studies were at the Eastman School of Music. He is a current faculty member at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College and a former music faculty member at Portland State University and Umpqua Community College. His article "Rhythmic Analysis: Jeff 'Tain' Watts - 'Housed From Edward'" was published in the March 2012 edition of JAZZed Magazine.

Oregon Jazz Workshop faculty Kerry Politzer:

Mothers In Jazz (70): Kerry Politzer Mothers In Jazz: Kerry Politzer“Mothers In Jazz” (*) this week features pianist, composer, and educator Kerry Politzer. She is a first-call player on Portland, Oregon’s increasingly rich jazz scene…

The application deadline has officially passed, but please contact us if you're still interested in participating. This year's (3rd annual) July 24-28th Workshop will be the largest yet, plus great new (to us) facilities at Lane Community College!

www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Oregon Jazz Workshop faculty George Colligan and Joe Manis perform at The Jazz Station on Friday, June 23rd from 7:30-10 p.m.

Apply for the July 24-28th Workshop at www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Roger Woods working with the Oregon Jazz Workshop groups tonight. Apply for the July 24-28 Workshop at www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Congratulations to Oregon Jazz Workshop student Noah Bernacki for being named the overall Outstanding Rhythm Section Player at the Oregon State Jazz Championship!

Apply today for the July 24-28th Workshop at: www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Meet Assistant Director, Wes Georgiev:

www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Wes Georgiev is a pianist, composer, and educator based in Portland, Oregon. Growing up in a multicultural and musical household, Wes began playing music at a very young age. He began by learning the rhythms and tones of Bulgarian folk music by ear with the guidance of his dad, a formerly touring professional accordionist from Sofia, Bulgaria. Wes’ mom is also a lifelong musician who has held symphony positions as a cellist, and choral positions as an alto. Wes began 9 years of classical piano study at the age of 4 and transitioned to learning the Black American Music idiom known as jazz at age 12.
Wes is in-demand throughout the Pacific Northwest as a sideman and band leader. You can hear him at venues such as the 1905, The Jazz Station, Jo Bar, Vino Veritas, Jack London R***e, Clyde's Prime Rib, Wilfs, and others. Wes has performed and/or recorded with George Colligan, Alan Jones, Rob Scheps, Chuck Israels, Lucas Pino, Sasha Berliner, Dayna Stephens, Chris Higgins, John Stowell, Domo Branch, Nicole McCabe, Todd Strait, Paul Gabrielson, Joe Manis, and Logan Kane among others.
In 2022, Wes earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Portland State University, where he studied under renowned multi-instrumentalist George Colligan. During this time, he also studied with veteran drummer and composer Alan Jones at the Alan Jones Academy of Music, whom he continues to study with privately.
As a composer and musical person, Wes is readily inspired by natural themes and the human condition, and seeks to envision a mentally and physically sustainable reality and future for those around him. Wes frequently composes, and does so in a variety of styles for varying instrumentations and ensemble sizes. In 2021, Wes was commissioned by the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble to write an original composition for large ensemble which featured his mentor, George Colligan. Wes’ debut record will be released in 2023. Outside of performing, Wes maintains a busy teaching schedule. He teaches jazz band at Milwaukie High School, is on faculty at the Alan Jones Academy of Music, and is the assistant director and a co-founder of the Oregon Jazz Workshop, a summer small group jazz improvisation intensive in Eugene, Oregon. Wes also runs a private in-person and online teaching studio, and is always welcoming new students of any level.

Meet OJW Director, Joe Manis

www.oregonjazzworkshop.com

Originally from Dexter, Oregon, SteepleChase recording artist Joe Manis was the recipient of a 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship. Recent Joe Manis Trio appearances include Fat Cat NYC, the Shedd Institute’s jazz series, Jimmy Mak's, Tula's, the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, and the Montavilla Jazz Festival. Manis has performed on NPR's Jazz Night in America, hosted by Christian McBride.

Manis has toured Europe as a duo and in a trio with David Friesen, where they recorded Structures, a live album. He also appears on Risky Notion (Four stars & Best Albums of 2015, DownBeat Magazine) on Origin Records with George Colligan's Theoretical Planets. Manis has played with Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, including a performance at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, and appears on their album Rise Up! on Real World Records. He has also performed with the George Colligan Quartet, the Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra, the Ken Schaphorst Big Band, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Johnny Mathis, the Temptations, comedian Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, the Oregon Symphony with Gladys Knight, the Portland Opera, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, and the Eugene Opera.

Manis has presented jazz masterclasses across the country, including at University of Nevada, Reno, Whitman College, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Oregon, Ferris State University, Central Washington University, Willamette University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, Pacific University, Lower Columbia College and Mesa, Glendale, Portland, Spokane Falls, Mt. Hood, Clackamas and Lane Community Colleges. He received a Master of Music in Jazz Studies-Performance with Academic Honor from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon. Additional studies were at the Eastman School of Music. He is a current faculty member at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College and a former music faculty member at Portland State University and Umpqua Community College. His article "Rhythmic Analysis: Jeff 'Tain' Watts - 'Housed From Edward'" was published in the March 2012 edition of JAZZed Magazine.