CalArts 2018 Jazz CD Front Cover designed by Huicheng Wu. | Image courtesy of David Roitstein.
Since 1990, CalArts Mel Powell Chair of the Jazz Studies Program David Roitstein has been producing the annual CalArts Jazz CD, which is a compilation of student-composed works that are professionally recorded, mixed and mastered at Capitol Studios in Hollywood.
The 29th annual CalArts 2018 Jazz CD features 12 tracks, 11 of which are original compositions by CalArts students. The eclectic album was released Monday, May 7, and subsequently made available to stream and download online for free. Each year, the CD also gets distributed to reviewers, radio stations such as NPR and at educational conferences around the country.
From The CalArts Jazz CD Archive by Roitstein:
All of the composers and performers at CalArts are invited to submit demo recordings of their best work to a faculty committee. This first round produces 100 submissions and includes an indescribably broad range of musical styles and instrumentations. The committee chooses 20 compositions, and there are intensive rehearsal sessions. In March, we have a marathon concert (it feels more like a party!) and listen to all 20 “finalist” groups–the whole place buzzes in anticipation. We then select the 10 groups that will get to record at Capitol.
The designer of the album cover is chosen in a similar process by faculty from the Graphic Design program. This year’s artwork was designed by Huicheng Wu (Art BFA 19).
Below is the track listing for CalArts Jazz 2018:
- The Vibe Is You – Will Kjeer
- Quien Fuera – Sabina Estrella
- Backstep – Benjamin Thomas
- LS1WP – Christopher Williams
- Dunky – Matthew Smith
- The Promise – Malachi Whitson
- Hersch – Heather Rivas
- How You Gonna Let The Devil Treat You Like This? – Addae Jordan
- Take Turns – Alkis Nicolaides
- I Need You – Maleke Clemmons
- The Night Rises – Jonathan Richards
- Gahu – Alex Shaw & Bradley Butterworth