Onstage company
Documented collaborators
The JAS Academy Big Band is a cornerstone of Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS), blending rigorous education with professional performance opportunities. Directed by renowned bassist Christian McBride and featuring Afro-Caribbean sessions led by Etienne Charles, the ensemble represents a high-water mark in contemporary big-band jazz education. Each season, the program supports aspiring musicians through scholarships and hands-on performance experiences at the annual JAS June Experience in Aspen.