Also this year, in conjunction with the Centennial of the National Park Service, Harpers Ferry will host the Don Redman Next Generation Jazz Academy during the week preceding the awards program and concert. The academy will be comprised of a juried group of 11th and 12th grade jazz band students from the tri-state area. The academy will be under the direction of 2011 Don Redman Jazz Heritage Award winner, Dr. Larry Ridley. Ridley will conduct the academy scholars in an opening set prior to the awards ceremony and the performance by the honorees.
This free concert and awards program will begin at 5:00 PM on the grounds of Mather Training Center, at the former Storer College campus in Harpers Ferry.