Dear Centrum Jazz Faculty:
If you have not heard by now, our esteemed and revered colleague, John Clayton, will be making this—2024—his final year at the helm of our beloved jazz workshop. We could not be more grateful and appreciative of John for his uncompromisingly high standards and warmth with which he had led Jazz Port Townsend since 2004. The workshop is one of the brightest feathers in our cap, and a shining example of fulfillment of Centrum’s mission, to build a world of greater inclusion through the arts.
As a former faculty member of Jazz Port Townsend, you are cordially invited to help us identify the ideal successor for this important role, beginning in 2025.
We are inviting applications between now and April 15 for consideration. Ideally, we would like to announce John’s successor sometime during this year’s workshop, which is July 22-28, 2024.
We are working with a handful of advisors to consider applicants. This is standard practice for Centrum Artistic Director searches.
John has large shoes to fill, both literally and figuratively. The legacy of artists who have graced our program is most impressive. I hope you’ll look at the attached PDF for a comprehensive list. We are extremely proud of our small part in passing culture and tradition from one generation to the next.
Highly competitive applicants will bring a demonstrated commitment to jazz education along with a strong pedigree of performance and collaborative experience. I invite those who wish to consider applying to share a few thoughts about the vision they might bring to this role. As example, how might we build upon the legacy of the program, while remaining relevant and in-demand among aspiring performers from high-school age and up?
You are welcome to apply or write to us to nominate someone you think should consider this position. If you wish to nominate someone, please include their contact information. We are initiating this search by contacting past faculty first, as we feel you represent the heart and soul of Jazz Port Townsend and understand our place in the larger ecosystem of jazz camps and workshops around the globe.
Applications will be directed to Gwen Franz, Program Manager for Jazz at Centrum, at gfranz@centrum.org, or by mail to Centrum, P.O. Box 1158, Port Townsend, WA, 98368.
Thank you so much for your consideration! I send my best wishes to you from all of us at Centrum.
With esteem and affection,
Robert A. Birman
Executive Director