The legendary John Coltrane grew up in High Point, NC. The High Point Arts Council sponsors the John Coltrane Jazz Workshop for Youth as a tribute to this world-famous jazz saxophonist and composer. Students who attend the workshop will perform on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 as the Youth Jazz Workshop to open the 2023 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival.
No Average Summer School
The workshop is held during the summer after school ends. It is open to high school students who have a high level of ability to play bass, percussion, guitar/keyboard, brass (trumpet, trombone), or woodwind instruments (clarinet, flute, saxophone).
During the workshop, students concentrate on small group ensemble playing, jazz theory, jazz improvisation, and listening and analysis. Attendees are taught by educators and performers who are highly regarded as jazz specialists. The instructors for the workshop are led by Dr. Drew Hays. He is an active performer of both classical and jazz music in our community.
Authentic Jazz Leader
Hays is a founding member of and baritone saxophonist for the Piedmont Triad Jazz Orchestra (PTJO). He has performed throughout North Carolina with the group. PTJO has performed twice at the John Coltrane International Jazz Festival. Hays also serves as one of the ensemble’s in-house arrangers. The Chair of the Music Department at Guilford College, Hays also teaches jazz studies, music theory, and saxophone at the school.
