The unique partnership between Mackay's Bachelor of Jazz Studies program and Hamilton Island has grabbed the interest of the international Jazz Education Journal.

Pooling their resources are singer Karla Vessey, pianist Adam Bishop, Simon Ward (trumpet), Tim Ashton (sax), John Mogg (guitar), Nathaniel Andrew (bass) and Alex Nesevski (drums).

The Journal has published an article by Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music jazz studies lecturer Derrin Kerr, along with program coordinator Glen Hodges and their Mackay Campus colleague Associate Professor Bruce Knight.

The article entitled 'An Unlikely Symbiotic Relationship: A Unique Jazz Education-Island Resort Partnership' can be read in full at:

http://www.iaje.org/article.asp?ArticleID=302 .

The partnership, developed in 2002, enables jazz students to travel to the island 4 times each year to undertake 5 days of classes, interaction with faculty and visiting artists, and performances.

"For the students, a typical day on the island consists of a short morning training meeting, a master class, and an instructional session or group rehearsal with a national or international visiting professional. The afternoon and evening are filled with performances in the Island's many quality bars, restaurants, and entertainment areas," the article says.

The article explains that Hamilton Island covers all related expenses for each of the 35-40 students, staff, and visiting artists. Additionally, the HI management often complements University funding to enable high-calibre visiting artists of national and international repute to be brought to the island to engage in the project.

"Due to the quantity of gigs and their durations, each ensemble is required to play between 2 and 4 hours of repertoire," the article says.

"In addition, as ensembles are rotated through the island venues, ranging from informal settings, such as beside the pool, to the five-star exclusive beachfront restaurants, it is necessary for students to adapt their performances to fit each environment.

Singer Karla Vessey

"Mentor relationships have always been a significant tool in the training of musicians. In many ways HI's environment intensifies mentoring between visiting artist and faculty, faculty and students, visiting artist and students, and even students and students (their peers)."

"It should be noted that HI has not reduced its employment of other performers; in fact they have increased the variety and scope of hired artists over the last 12 months, and views this project as a way to build an ambiance that would not be achievable through normal artist employment. A further benefit of the commitment of HI to its existing artists is that these performers themselves provide professional input, both formal and informal, to the jazz students."

Derrin notes that HI and Central Queensland University are currently negotiating an expansion of the project that will offer further student performance opportunities.

Visually impaired pianist Adam Bishop
Jo Cook (bass), Robert Sandner (drums)