The Mario Abney Quintet (MAQ5), hometown Dayton, OH was recently honored with being selected to be part of Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy on June 16th-22nd. The JAS Academy is the nation's only all-scholarship jazz residency program, uniting the finest young jazz artists with the world's "jazz legends".  JAS Academy Summer Sessions was created in 1995 out of the collaboration between JAS and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Washington D.C.  It was formerly known as the JAS - Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Colony. Now celebrating its 13th year, the JAS Academy Summer Sessions, is a nationally recognized education program, making a major contribution to the continuation and development of American Jazz. Each year four bands are selected to participate for this residency, based on criteria set by JAS.  One band is selected from each of four jazz disciplines.  This year, the Mario Abney Quintet was selected as the "Soul Jazz/Groove" participant. 

     JAS chooses talented young bands to participate in the residency.  Many come to JAS's attention through its extensive network of jazz masters, including JAS Academy Artistic Director, Christian McBride.  The young artists come from diverse backgrounds, some studying at the top music schools in the country. They are the recipients of many of the top awards in their field and perform regularly throughout the United States and beyond, having already distinguished themselves as gifted artists with the well deserved expectation to sustain a professional career in performance. 

     The story is no different for the Mario Abney Quintet, as they have been dubbed by Cin Weekly as "Jazz Workhorses". Until recently, it was rare to find a local jazz jam session or performance they did not attend and/or perform. The Mario Abney Quintet's members include Julian Addison on drums, Ian Baggette on bass, Rashon Murph on piano/keys, Clarence Slaughter on saxophone, and Mario Abney as band leader on trumpet. They come as alumni of Central State University, Miami University, and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. They too are individually recipients of many prestigious awards, and have made a name for themselves in Southern Ohio, Washington DC, Virginia Beach, and most recently, New Orleans. Many JAS Academy alumni have gone on to lead very successful professional careers, and expectations are high for the MAQ5. 

     This year JAS has changed the dates of the Academy to coincide with the 2008 Jazz Aspen Festival, thereby giving participants the opportunity not only to meet and work with many of the great acts that play the festivals, but also to give them more public exposure with their own performances while they are in the Aspen area. 

     To support their trip to JAS Academy in Aspen, Colorado, the MAQ5 is officially releasing their 'Spiritual Perception' EP on disc on June 26th, and is selling advance copies of this disk for suggested donations of $10 or more via their website: www.marioabney.com"

06/17/2007

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