Garcia visits South Africa for jazz educators conference

By Malorie Burkett

Antonio Garcia, associate professor of music and director of jazz studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, recently returned from Pretoria, South Africa where he performed and lectured at the sixth South African Association of Jazz Educators Conference.

The goal of the conference was to bring jazz education to students across South Africa and make educators aware of new developments in jazz education locally and abroad.

During the conference, Garcia soloed as guest artist on trombone with the University of Cape Town and Technikon Pretoria Big Bands. He also performed as a scat-singer at a separate performance. In addition, he presented an improvisation workshop entitled "Thematic Dissonance: Making Wrong Notes Right."

Garcia, who has been at VCU since August 2001, is a performer, composer/arranger, producer, clinician, educator and author in both instrumental and vocal genres. His compositions have been published by Kendor, Doug Beach, Walrus, UNC Jazz Press, Three-Two Music, and his own company, www.garciamusic.com. Garcia received his Master of Music in jazz studies and contemporary media from the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music.