New York Jazz Academy Alumnus Selected as Pianist for GRAMMY Camp

The Grammy camp big band piano seat is a national honor given to only one pianist nationwide, and Sam Towse was selected for the position this year. New York Jazz Academy was Sam’s training ground as a pianist and drummer for several years. Sam will join NYJA students, Jack O’Connor and Jack vanGorden, along with other high school students from across the United States for the 2016 GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session. Their selection launches them into the spotlight surrounding the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards, and provides them with opportunities to perform for some of music’s biggest names. The students will travel to Los Angeles for a weeklong musical adventure under the direction of Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music, Dr. Ron McCurdy of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and associate choral director Susanna Wegner of Kansas City, Mo.
While enrolled with NYJA on Long Island and in Manhattan, Sam studied intimately with a host of faculty members, including JC Sanford, David Engelhard, Michael Webster, and Javier Arau, all of whom helped Sam hone his craft and artistry, building a strong foundation as a creative jazz instrumentalist. NYJA Director Javier Arau is thrilled with Sam’s selection: “Sam has been so dedicated to his craft over the years, and it is wonderful to see his efforts pay off with such an honor. We are all thrilled that New York Jazz Academy is so well represented at this year’s GRAMMY camp.”

About New York Jazz Academy

Over the years, New York Jazz Academy has evolved into one of the most diverse musical communities in the world, comprising over 1,000 musicians of all kinds, from 33 states, and 35 countries. A music school based in NYC, NYJA welcomes artists of all ages and skill levels to join in the pursuit of excellence in jazz. With locations thriving in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, NYJA has built an extensive network of some of the best jazz musicians and educators in America’s most talent-packed city. NYJA’s diverse student body includes seasoned performing artists, adult hobbyists, supremely talented teens, and beginners of all ages. Students can train on virtually any instrument, including piano, guitar, drums, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, voice, and more.

For students in and outside of New York City, New York Jazz Academy offers private music lessons, jazz courses online, vocal jazz workshops, youth jazz programs, adult jazz programs, jazz band rehearsals, including small ensembles and big bands, improv workshops, an in-house NYC guitar school, jazz piano lessons, jazz saxophone lessons, and much more, offering something for virtually everyone. The NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives are the most highly attended summer music camp in NYC. In addition to summer programs and year-round programs, NYJA also offers spring jazz intensives and winter jazz intensives, which are seasonal jazz workshops.

Beyond music classes, the New York Jazz Academy Jazz Ambassadors travel program gives musicians and fans an opportunity to travel worldwide while experiencing the music of diverse cultures. NYJA also offer professional entertainment services, including party bands, wedding jazz bands, ceremony music in NYC and beyond, and much more.

An active contributor to the cultural vitality of the city, NYJA also offers school outreach programs and assemblies, special performances at major jazz venues, custom workshops for out-of-town students, and educational consulting and publishing. Current and previous collaborators and clients have included PBS Television, CNBC, Save The Children, DreamYard, Smoke Jazz Club, Club Bonafide, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the NYC Office of the Mayor, and the Smithsonian Institute. For more about New York Jazz Academy, visit https://www.nyjazzacademy.com or call (718) 426-0633.