IAJE propels artist showcases

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The 31st annual conference of the International Association for Jazz Education is expected to attract record labels of all sizes at the Jan. 21-24 event.

Columbia Records will underwrite an opening night concert by saxophonist David Sanchez and Cleveland-based Telarc records will do the same for pianist Michel Camilo.

The Blue Note label will present pianist Jason Moran and his group Band Wagon on the Jan. 22. Warner Brothers will present trumpeter Nicholas Payton, Verve will present rising British pianist Jamie Cullum and Holland's Challenge Records will present trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and the New Art Orchestra on the Jan. 24.

Other labels are showcasing artists at the city's major jazz clubs in parallel appearances.

Over the four nights of IAJE, MaxJazz will feature pianists Peter Martin, Bruce Barth and Mulgrew Miller, guitarist Russell Malone, singer-pianist Dena DeRose, singer Erin Bode and guests from its roster at Sweet Rhythm.

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis's label, Marsalis Music, will showcase alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon, guitarist Doug Wamble and singer-pianist Harry Connick Jr. at Birdland Jan. 22-24. Connick is releasing his first acoustic quartet CD on the label in early 2004.