Day One: Steps for Success with Your Beginning Jazz Band
Clinic Synopsis:
Clinicians José Diaz and Dick Dunscomb will demonstrate strategies for “Day One” success for your beginning jazz band. This session will focus on developing a swing rhythm section from scratch, teaching jazz articulations, and utilizing great recordings that reinforce concepts. A middle school jazz band will provide an actual rehearsal lab experience for all present.
Richard Dunscomb
- Biographical Information
J. Richard Dunscomb was one of the leading authorities in the field of jazz
music and music education, recognized nationally and internationally as a guest
conductor, author, adjudicator, clinician, and consultant. He was the North
American coordinator for the Montreux (Switzerland) International Jazz Festival
for 18 years, had served as the Executive Director of the Chicago Jazz
Ensemble, served on the Board of Advisors for the Chicago Jazz Institute, and
was the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Midwest Clinic,
serving on the Board since 1983. Dick was the recipient of numerous awards,
including the Midwest Clinic’s Medal of Honor (1999), the Elkhart Jazz
Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and various awards from several
universities for his outstanding conducting, teaching, and service. He was
elected into the International Association of Jazz Educators’ Hall of Fame in
1992. Through his work with IAJE, Warner Brothers Music, Alfred/Belwin Jazz
Music, and other agencies, Richard had presented more than 200 workshops
(including conducting and jazz clinics) throughout the United States and in
Australia, Europe, Canada, Sweden, Japan, and South America. His most recent
publications include, with Dr. Willie Hill, Jr., Jazz Pedagogy: The Jazz
Educator’s Handbook and Resource Guide, a publication designed to provide a
foundation and structure to plan and implement a successful jazz program. Most
recently he created Jazz Zone...The Beginning, a lesson-plan based jazz
curriculum that includes online resources and four complete big band jazz
charts, and Jazz Zone Together, a series of interviews (accessible at no
charge) with nearly 80 jazz artists/educators sharing arts, music, and jazz information, and their
stories and tips. Dick passed away November 12, 2025, and is deeply missed by
his family, friends, and colleagues. Everyone at Midwest mourns our loss while
celebrating his life.
Jose Diaz - Biographical Information
José Antonio Diaz, founder and artistic director of the award-winning Diaz Music Institute (DMI) in Houston, Texas, was recently honored with the Texas Bandmasters Meritorious Award. A Texas UIL Sponsor of Excellence and Country Music Association Foundation’s Music Teacher of Excellence, Diaz has also been recognized as a Grammy-Nominated Music Educator Top 10 Finalist, recipient of the Berklee College of Music’s John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year Award, LULAC Educator of the Year Award, and Houston’s Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award. His contributions to music education earned him induction into DownBeat Magazine’s Jazz Education Hall of Fame, the Texas Christian University Band Hall of Fame, and recognition as a Hispanic Hero by FOX 26 and Univision. His work has been featured in SBO Magazine, Band Director’s Guide, and the Houston Chronicle. Currently, Jose is president of Jazz Education Network and serves on the board of directors for The Midwest Clinic. Under Diaz’s leadership, DMI has become internationally recognized for developing and promoting jazz, Latin jazz, and salsa. The Institute presents Noche Caliente at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre, featuring its premier ensemble, Caliente, performing alongside Latin music legends such as NEA Jazz Master Candido, Pete Escovedo, Eddie Palmieri, and Poncho Sanchez. DMI has also collaborated with top artists and educators to provide high-quality music instruction and mentorship to young musicians, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the industry.
Frank Alongi - Biographical Information
Frank Alongi is the Director of Bands at Old Quarry Middle School in Lemont, IL, where he oversees a program of more than 300 students from 4th to 8th grade. He directs and coordinates two concert bands, two jazz bands, and organizes the annual OQMS Jazz Fest. His Jazz I program has received dozens of first-place awards in numerous jazz contests across multiple states. Frank has been creating music behind the drum set in Chicago since 1999. In his youth, he toured Central and South America with the fusion rock group Torre Fuerte. Since then, he has performed with a variety of local Chicago bands, orchestras, and percussion ensembles, and has contributed to numerous recordings and performances by various national artists. He attended DePaul University, where he studied with renowned musicians such as Joel Spencer (University of Illinois), Ted Atkatz (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), and Al Payson (CSO). He later earned a degree in Music Education from Northeastern Illinois University.Frank is a member of JEN (Jazz Education Network) and a recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award. He is regularly featured as a guest artist, speaker, and presenter at workshops, clinics, and performances throughout the Chicagoland area.
Old Quarry Middle School - Biographical Information
n 2014, the Old Quarry Middle School band program, under the direction of Frank Alongi, recognized the need to introduce jazz into the curriculum. As a result, the OQMS Jazz program was born. From the beginning, the priorities were to expand students' knowledge of jazz repertoire, style, and comprehension.After just one year, the group began competing in local contests. Since then, Jazz I has taken home dozens of first-place awards from various contests and festivals across several states. Recently, they’ve won the Purdue Jazz Festival four years in a row, the ISU Jazz Festival two years in a row, and have received first place at Jazz in the Meadows twice in the last three years. They also participated in the IGSMA Jazz Festival, earning high marks. In 2023, they saw the need to expand again and started a Jazz II program, which has also been active in competitive and non-competitive performances. In addition to competitions, the bands have performed locally at festivals and events. They host the annual OQMS JazzFest and will be showcasing their talents at the 2025 JEN Festival in New Orleans.
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