AAJC Initiative
HBCU/PBI Spotlight
The African American Jazz Caucus aims to promote the rich musical culture and legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) & Predominately Black Institutions (PBI). Through our partnership with the Jazz Education Network (JEN), the AAJC selects a musical group from an HBCU or PBI to feature at the annual JEN Conferences each January.
AAJC SPOTLIGHT APPLICATION
things to know/apply to perform
The African American Jazz Caucus aims to promote the rich musical culture and legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Through our partnership with the Jazz Education Network (JEN), the AAJC selects a musical group from an HBCU or PBI to feature at the annual JEN Conferences each January.
What is an HBCU? An HBCU is any historically black college or university established before 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.
What is a PBI? A predominantly black institution has a lower per-student expenditure for full-time undergraduates compared to other institutions offering similar instruction; it enrolls at least 40% African American students.
Mission
The African American Jazz Caucus, Inc. is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and perpetuating the rich cultural heritage and legacy of jazz. It is one of our indigenous musical art forms—accentuating Its Roots from Mother Africa, which has evolved and developed Global Fruits.
UPCOMING JEN CONFERENCE DATES:
- 17th Annual Conference Jan 7-10, 2026
Hyatt Regency (New Orleans, LA) APPLICATIONS CLOSED - 18th Annual Conference Jan 6-9, 2027
Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham (Louisville, KY) - 19th Annual Conference Jan 5-8, 2028 Hyatt Regency (New Orleans, LA)
- 20th Annual Conference Jan 3-6, 2029 Hyatt Regency (Dallas, TX)
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY BEFORE CONTINUING.
Eligibility:
HBCU or PBI jazz ensembles with an ensemble size of ten (10) or more members. The Applicant must be a member of AAJC or both AAJC and JEN.
Documentation:
- A $20 application fee per group (not per person). Make payments to aajc.us.
- Three audio audition recordings.* Uploads should be in MP3 or WAV format and no larger than 500MB each.
- Upload a short director's bio (250 words or less) in PDF format.
- Upload a short ensemble bio (250 words or less) in PDF format.
- Two letters of recommendation with contact information (phone number and email address ) in PDF format
- Email a zip file of the folder containing the above application documents to Rlewis856@gmail.com. Subject line: AAJC SPOTLIGHT APPLICATION
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please ensure your documents are ready and in the correct format before submitting your application.
*Audio Audition Recording: A file containing 10 to 15 minutes of material must include three different jazz styles. Recordings should be unedited and cued to the proper starting point. Live performances that clearly showcase the necessary performance qualifications are also acceptable.
The quality of recordings is not evaluated based on their audio quality. We realize that access to recording equipment will vary with each Applicant, but we ask you to produce the best recording possible. You may use a recording that is up to two years old.
This is a blind audition process, and all files must be labeled with ONLY the names of the pieces, with no identifying information about your ensemble.
Note: You can use a free video-to-audio converter available on Google to convert your video to audio.
2024 AAJC HBCU/PBI SPOTLIGHT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE
About North Carolina Central UNIVERSITY (NCCU)
The NCCU Vocal Ensemble
The NCCU Vocal Ensembles have won accolades at numerous American and international festivals and have twice performed at the White House with the NCCU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos. The Ensemble and guest artist Joey Calderazzo were featured at the 2008 International Association for Jazz Education Conference in Toronto, Canada. The Ensemble performed with pianist Geri Allen and vocalist Carmen Lundy at the NCCU Jazz Festival in 2007. In 2009, they became the first college vocal group to perform at the prestigious Notre Dame Jazz Festival.
About jazz at NCCU
In 1977, NCCU became the first university in the state to offer the Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies. The program has since evolved to include a comprehensive vocal jazz component and the Master of Music degree in Jazz Composition and Jazz Performance.
The Jazz Studies Program is under the leadership of saxophonist/flutist Ira Wiggins, Ph.D., and offers curricula leading to the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in jazz.
About the Director
Lenora Zenzalai Helm Hammonds is a Jazz Vocal Musician specializing in Classic, Traditional jazz standard and original repertoire. She has 6 solo recordings and a touring and performance discography with the biggest names in Jazz. Former U.S. Jazz Ambassador, she mentors emerging vocalists, and since 2005 teaches vocal performance and directs a vocal jazz ensemble as a professor in the music department at North Carolina Central University.
About Texas Southern University (TSU)
The TSU Jazz Ensmebles
The TSU Jazz ensembles are award-winning and renown ensembles that have fostered the talents of many of the top performers of today. Notable alums include; Kirk Whalum, Shelly Carroll, Frank Lacy, Andrae Hayward, Horace Alexander Young, and Kyle Turner to name a few. TSU ensembles have always been forward thinking, geared toward the modern musician and cultivate a unique environment for musical exploration and self-expression.
About Jazz at TSU
TSU offers a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance that prepares young professionals for a myriad of career possibilities. Whether it is a performer, composer, producer, educator, or advocate Jazz at TSU will prepare you to excel in your field. TSU boasts an outstanding faculty of leading music educators and world-class performers that are student-centered and community driven. In addition, students also have the opportunity to work with guest artists that are internationally renowned.
About the Director
Dr. Brian N. Perez is Director of Jazz Studies and woodwinds at Texas Southern University where his duties include directing the jazz ensembles, teaching jazz curriculum courses, applied lessons and coordinating the jazz area. Perez holds D.M.A. in saxophone performance from the University of Maryland College Park, a Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami, a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Perez is a regular member of the Conrad O. Johnson Orchestra and the Houston Jazz Orchestra - which was recently awarded a Disney Motif Award for performance and outreach. He has also performed with artists such as Tom Harrell, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Ruben Blades, and the Temptations. As a solo artist he has performed nationally and internationally including Spain, Colombia, and Venezuela.