JAS Academy announces 2026 summer sessions and student selections

Sessions run June 15-19 and July 27-Aug. 10

The JAS Academy returns to Aspen this summer with two two-week sessions. Forty-six of the country’s top young jazz musicians will take part.

The program is presented by Jazz Aspen Snowmass in collaboration with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

Session One: Big Band. The first session runs June 15 to 29. It will be led by Christian McBride, an 11-time Grammy-winning bassist and JAS Academy artistic director.

Session Two: Afro-Caribbean. The second session runs July 27 to Aug. 10. Etienne Charles, a Trinidad-born trumpeter and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, will lead it. This session focuses on non-swing styles, including Latin, South and Central American, African and Caribbean music, in both combo and big band settings.

McBride and Charles will work alongside Frost School Dean Shelly Berg and program director Chuck Bergeron.

What Students Will Learn. Each day includes coaching from JAS Academy jazz masters and faculty. Students will also have time for rehearsal and recording. Select Frost School curricula will cover topics such as arranging, production, recording techniques, touring, artist management, contracts, website development and digital rights.

Where the Students Come From. The 46 students represent 21 music programs across the country. Schools include the Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, University of Miami, University of Michigan, UCLA, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music and more.

Public performances will take place throughout both sessions. For the Big Band session these include two free performances June 17 and June 23.

Public Performances — Big Band Session

• June 17: Free from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Collective, Snowmass 
• June 23: Free from 6 to 9 p.m. at Paul JAS Center
• June 25 to 28: Big Band students will also perform as part of the JAS June Experience in downtown Aspen. A special show at the Paul JAS Center on June 27, will feature guests Lizz Wright and Kurt Elling. Tickets are included in the JAS June Experience pass at jazzaspensnowmass.org.

Students participating in the Afro-Caribbean session will be showcased in two free public performances July 31 and Aug. 4. On their final weekend, students will perform in two JAS Café performances at the Paul JAS Center Aug. 7 and Aug. 8.

 Public Performances — Afro-Caribbean Session

• July 31: Free from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Gant Conference Center
• Aug. 4: Free from 6 to 9 p.m. at Paul JAS Center
• Aug. 7: Concert “JAS Café with Randy Brecker” at the Paul JAS Center
• Aug. 8: JAS Café with Etienne Charles at Paul JAS Center

The JAS Academy is one of the nation’s only full-scholarship summer residencies, supported annually by the generosity of Sasha and Ed Bass.

For more information and to register, visit jazzaspensnowmass.org/jas-ed/jas-academy. For show tickets, visit jazzaspensnowmass.org