North Shore Jazz Project All Stars

North Shore Jazz Project All Stars

 North Shore Jazz Project All-Stars

***NOW AUDITIONING***

The NJSP All-Stars is a world class youth jazz big band featuring the best high school-aged musical talent on Boston’s North Shore.

NSJP All-Stars mission is to bring together high school-aged students to give them an opportunity to learn and perform jazz as a current and relevant art form.  Over the years the NSJP All-Stars have hosted masterclasses with internationally renowned musicians, including Grammy Award winning pianist Danilo Perez, Brazilian bassist Bingo Cardsosso, and Cuban trumpeter Yaure Muniz. The All-Stars are led by Mike Tucker, saxophonist for Arturo Sandoval’s band and harmony professor at Berklee College of Music.

NSJP All Stars has performed at the Shao Lin Liu Performing Arts Center, The Litchfield Jazz Festival, Castle Hill, The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, Chianti Jazz Club, and the City of Salem Jazz Appreciation Day.  NSJP is currently in its sixth season.

Community impact of the NSJP All-Stars goes beyond playing music.  The group’s diverse membership develops strong community bonds and relationships among the students and audiences who participate while fostering live music for the next generation on the North Shore. The NSJP all-Stars is made possible by the support of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  To date, seven alumni of NSJP All-Star have gone on to study at Berklee College of Music with scholarships!

Audition Requirements

Membership in the NSJP All-Stars is open to all area student musicians, entering or currently enrolled in high school, with placement made on audition results and the needs of the ensemble. Musicians interested in joining the NSJP All-Stars as a member for the current concert season should apply by sending your audio or video recording to mtucker@salemjazzsoul.org.

Wind Instruments:

  1. Perform any jazz etude out of the Jim Snidero book, “Advanced Conception”
    1. OR perform any melody by Charlie Parker
    2. OR perform your most recent District or All-State jazz audition piece
  2. Improvise on a Bb or F Blues

Piano, Guitar, Bass:

  1. Perform any jazz etude out of the Jim Snidero book, “Advanced Conception”
    1. OR perform any melody by Charlie Parker
    2. OR perform your most recent District or All-State jazz audition piece
  2. Improvise on a Bb or F Blues, also demonstrating comping on the blues

Drums:

  1. Demonstrate time in the following styles:
    1. Swing
    2. Shuffle
    3. Funk
    4. Latin 

Student Commitment

  • The NSJP All-Stars meets up to 2 times per year (spring, summer) for a rehearsal/concert cycle.  There are 2-5 concerts per year.
  • Music is sent to musicians via email in advance of the first spring rehearsal.
  • Attendance is critical to the ensemble’s continued success.
  • The participation fee for the NSJP All-Stars is $175 per session (spring, summer). The fee covers the cost of the director, special guests, music, and rehearsal space