International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) names a New Executive Director

ed partykaThe International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ed Partyka as its new Executive Director, effective January 1, 2025. A renowned arranger, composer, conductor and educator, Partyka brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the core values of the organization.

Initiated 35 years ago by renowned jazz artist and educator Dave Liebman, the IASJ has evolved into a preeminent global network of 70 member schools and affiliates, dedicated to advancing jazz performance, education, and scholarly research.

Ed Partyka, an accomplished musician, big band composer, and conductor, has established himself in the United States and Europe through his extensive teaching and performance career. He has toured and recorded extensively with dozens of notable ensembles and has over 60 albums to his credit. Partyka holds teaching positions at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Lucerne, Switzerland. He is the Artistic Director and outgoing Chief Conductor of Finland's UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, as well as Musical Director of the Zürich Jazz Orchestra. He has served on the IASJ Board since 2020.

Commenting on the appointment, outgoing Executive Director Walter Turkenburg stated, "Ed Partyka is a great musician, an excellent big band composer and conductor, and an experienced pedagogue. He truly represents the spirit of the IASJ.”

The decision to appoint Ed Partyka was unanimous among the IASJ Board, chaired at the time by Jari Perkiömäki. His appointment was formally announced during the General Assembly on July 3, 2024. A transitional period was planned for the remainder of the year, during which the outgoing and incoming Executive Directors will collaborate closely. Turkenburg will continue in his role as the IASJ Service Bureau Coordinator, a post he’s held concurrently for two decades. He has been with the organization since its formation in 1989.

Reflecting on the transition, Walter Turkenburg remarked, "Dividing the roles of Executive Director and Service Bureau Coordinator marks an important step in the growth of the IASJ, allowing us to focus more intently on our strategic priorities."

Working in tandem with the IASJ Board, incoming Board Chairman, Artistic Director and outgoing Executive Director, Partyka aims to increase membership diversity, enhance the IASJ's social media presence, and ensure the long-term artistic and financial health of the organization. The next meeting will take place in Klagenfurt, Austria, November 7-12 in 2025. Other IASJ Meetings are planned through 2027.

The current IASJ Board

Keller Coker, chairman, USA
Dimos Dimitriadis, secretary, Greece
Felipe Salles, treasurer, USA
Abhisek Bhadra, member, Nepal
Massimo Cavalli, member, Portugal,
Damani Philips, member, USA
Martin Zenker, member, Germany
Mandukhai Tugstogtokh, ex-officio member, Mongolia

IASJ Mission Statement

Jazz has evolved into a truly world-wide art form. It is played, taught, researched and appreciated throughout the world. Jazz has assimilated a rich array of musical influences. Through its core values of freedom of expression, group interaction, shared respect and individual responsibility, jazz embodies the highest ideals of art and human creativity. It has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting harmonious relations across highly diverse cultural boundaries.

The IASJ is a worldwide organization committed to promoting these values in both the musical world and society as a whole. With membership from all the continents, ranging from large state-funded conservatories to small privately run schools as well as individual educators and artists, the IASJ achieves its goals through various activities. By embracing the positive qualities inherent in jazz, the IASJ fulfills a unifying mission.

The focal point is the Annual IASJ Jazz Meeting, held in a different country each year. The meetings enable the most promising students from member schools to participate in international ensembles, jam sessions, recording projects and master classes coached by top-level artists from around the world. Attending representatives and teachers from IASJ member schools meet during this period to discuss pedagogical, philosophical and administrative issues. Ongoing student and teacher exchanges have been a definite result from these meetings, as well as more playing opportunities for those teachers who are also performers.

More information can be found at www.iasj.com

Text of this message was compiled by Lydia Liebman, LydiaLiebmanPromotions//, www.lydialiebman.com


 

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