About Hudson Jazzworks
In 2007, pianist Armen Donelian and saxophonist Marc Mommaas founded the world-class Hudson Jazz Workshop. In 2009, with Rose Caldwell (a 30-year resident of Columbia County) and through the commitment of our participants, the dedication of our board members and the support of our donors, we formed a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, Hudson Jazzworks, Inc.
Our educational/artistic mission is to present workshops, seminars, classes, concerts and related activities that promote, disseminate and transmit the knowledge, composition and performance of music in a healthy and supportive environment.
The Hudson Jazz Workshop occurs in mid-August for 4 days and 3 nights in rural Columbia County, NY. Housing is provided through the generosity of nearby venues. Rose Caldwell prepares and serves fresh, wholesome meals daily.
Our artist/faculty, Armen Donelian and Marc Mommaas, encourage a lively, informative dialogue that fosters mutual understanding and an exchange of ideas. The focus is on improvisational duo performance, music composition, practice regimens and related issues. As our focus is on harmonic/melodic aspects of duo improvisation, percussion is not taught in the Hudson Jazz Workshop. The daily schedule of interactive hands-on master classes and evening jam sessions includes ample demonstration and provides specialized one-on-one instruction.
On the final day, a distinguished guest artist presents a unique seminar and headlines a public concert at the historic Hudson Hall with the faculty and participants, some of whom are professionals. Past guests have included saxophonist David Liebman, pianist/composer Jim McNeely guitarist Vic Juris, vibraphonist Joe Locke, vocalist Sheila Jordan, bassist Reggie Workman, trumpeter Claudio Roditi, trombonist Chris Washburne, guitarist Freddie Bryant, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, saxophonist Billy Drewes, bassist Jay Anderson,bassist Rufus Reid , pianist/arranger Mike Abene and vocalist Michelle Walker. Our guest in 2024 is TBA.
Hudson Jazzworks, Inc. has presented the Hudson Jazz Workshop for nine consecutive years. For the participants, the Hudson Jazz Workshop experience is nurturing and truly life changing, as our testimonials indicate.
The 18th Annual Hudson Jazz Workshop will occur on August 8-11, 2024. As we enter our eighteenth year, we are proud to announce that Hudson Jazzworks, Inc. has been awarded a Grant from Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation.
HJW four academic partners, the Conservatory of Amsterdam (Holland) the Rhythmic Music Conservatory (Denmark), William Paterson University (NJ) and The New School (NYC). We are very excited about continuing collaboration.
We seek additional corporate and private funding to enable us to plan and implement new programs, including a scholarship fund that will enable us to reduce our Workshop tuition fee for highly qualified applicants who demonstrate financial need.
We invite you to join us in this mission by making a tax-deductible donation or becoming a member.
Thank you very much.