Organized every year in conjunction with the annual Vail Jazz Festival, 12 dedicated and gifted high school age musicians, each of whom has demonstrated a commitment to his or her musical studies and has attained a level of skill that merits special attention, participate in this exceptional learning experience. Those admitted to the Workshop receive full scholarships enabling each participant to study in an environment that provides unique opportunities for intensive interaction with his or her instructor as well as with fellow students.

John Clayton, noted jazz educator, bass virtuoso and co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Quartet is the director of the Workshop. Joining him as instructors are Jeff Clayton, saxes and woodwinds; Terell Stafford, trumpet; Bill Cunliffe, piano; and Lewis Nash, drums. We are deeply indebted to this all-star faculty for their extraordinary generosity in helping us continue a tradition that has established the VJF Workshop as one of the nation's leading jazz education programs.

Isaiah Morfin and Logan Strosahl play at

the 12th Annual Vail Jazz Festival

The Workshop is a highly structured program that requires dedication and commitment to hard work, includes jazz theory, group and private lessons and practice in jazz improvisation and ensemble playing. The teaching philosophy of the Workshop stresses learning by transcribing the performances of the masters in order to understand their techniques so that students can develop their own technique and voice. In addition to their musical instruction and performances, hiking, chair lift rides, picnics and other outdoor outings are organized so the students have an opportunity to take advantage of the unique activities that the Vail Valley has to offer. It is our goal that the Workshop provide students with the highest level of musical instruction in a unique and enjoyable environment that combines music with the beauty and grandeur of nature.

Each year Workshop students are featured performers, along with their instructors, at the annual Labor Day Weekend Party. Their attendance at the Party not only provides them with multiple performance opportunities but the ability to see, hear and interact with the world renowned jazz artists who perform at the Party.  It is at the Weekend Party that they become the VJF Workshop All Stars.