Improvisational jazz usually brings to mind wise old musicians, whose decades of experience make it possible for them to seamlessly jam with other players and compose music in real time.
But what the kids in the Arizona Jazz Academy lack in experience, they make up for in practice and tenacity. When they play their last set during the Park Student Union's new Jazz Concert Series, a set of jazz improvisation, they'll be doing something even musicians twice their age find a little intimidating - they'll be creating music on the fly.
Doug Tidaback, one of the Academy's instructors and a music doctoral candidate at the UA, says the young musicians actually look forward to these improvisational jams.
"Let's say that (improvisation) takes a sense of adventure," he said. Once a young musician gets a taste of it, they can't get enough of it. Our jam sessions are very inviting, supervised by educators who know how to help younger musicians become more comfortable with stepping out of their comfort zones."
The jam session is the Academy's last set at the Wednesday concerts. Sets that precede it will include the Academy's Miles Davis, Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker Combos. The series, which began last night with performances by the Duke Ellington Band, the Count Basie Band and the Fletcher Henderson Band, will continue throughout the semester. Although each band is playing the work of one particular jazz master, the students are getting a well-rounded education, said Tidaback.
"Each ensemble in the AJA learns a spectrum of music; however, we theme our concerts and focus on the music of a particular composer for each concert," he said.
The Academy's 23 ensembles are made up of middle school and high school students who are also in their school's jazz program.
There are also ensembles made up of adult musicians.
Before starting the Academy last winter, Tidaback directed the UA Jazz Band and taught jazz history.
As a trombonist, he's performed with Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Supremes and Frankie Avalon among other notable orchestras and musicians.
Going back to school got Tidaback to move to Tucson, but his love of teaching got him involved with the Arizona Jazz Academy, he said.
"Jazz allows so many opportunities for students to develop their self-esteem, sense of teamwork, their personal musical voice and demands a student to develop virtuosity, perseverance and excellence," he said.
"A classical musician is required to become a virtuoso," Tidaback said, "but a jazz musician is required to become a virtuoso and to spontaneously create, adapt and react to the musical experience."