The Week In Photos
I spent Thursday and Friday of last week and part of the weekend in Sacramento, at the annual California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC).
Charlie was receiving official recognition as a Hall Of Fame California jazz educator by the California Alliance For Jazz (CAJ). CAJ is the group that oversees, organizes, and promotes jazz education in California public schools, starting from the elementary level all the way to post-graduate University studies. It’s a difficult job they make look easy.
My father was recruited to help start the jazz program at California Institute of the Arts in the 1980s. He taught there for decades, until he physically couldn’t anymore. Encouraging and inspiring young jazz musicians was something Charlie loved. He led classes and gave seminars all over the world. Many professional musicians have learned from Charlie and will never forget his heartfelt advice and wisdom.
Several of the CAJ boardmembers are CalArts graduates who studied with my father. I’m grateful to them for remembering Charlie and for bestowing on my family a great honor.
2024 CASMEC All-State High School Jazz Band ⬆️
All images © 2024 Josh Haden except where otherwise noted.