Jonathan Saraga, Javier Arau & Matt Pavolka

Teaches at New York Jazz Academy

Jonathan Saraga

New York City-based trumpeter, composer and Doctor of Musical Arts, Jonathan Saraga, is a Blue Truffle Music and Fresh Sound Records recording artist. He took 1st place in the 2007 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, competed as a finalist in the 2009 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, and was a selected-participant in the 2011 School for Improvisational Music Summer Intensive Program, the 2015 Banff International Summer Intensive Program in Jazz and Creative Music, and the 2019 Banff Early Fall Musicians in Residence program. Jonathan received the 2016 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, and was a 2-time Semi-Finalist as well as a Winner in the International Songwriting Competition (2016+2017). 

Jonathan has been performing as a trumpeter throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and across the U.S. since 2011, and has played in ensembles led by highly acclaimed artists such as Steve Coleman, Henry Cole, Maria Schneider, Darcy James Argue, Orrin Evans, Josh Evans, Jason Marshall, Jimmy Greene, Tyshawn Sorey, Eric Bergen and the Afro- Latin Jazz Orchestra. He teaches for NYC-based organizations such as The Afro-Latin Jazz Academy, The Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, New York Ensemble Classes, and The New York Jazz Academy, as well as for the University of Colorado, Boulder, which includes 3 semesters of ensemble coaching/conducting as well as 3 semesters of 100+ student History of Jazz lecture classes for non- majors. 

Javier Arau is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator. The front cover artist on the July 2009 issue Saxophone Journal, he has received four Down Beat Magazine Awards for performance, composition, and arranging, and has received national awards and recognition from ASCAP, BMI, and MENC, among others. An active composer in New York City, his compositions have been played by Benny Golson, David Garibaldi, the Berkeley Symphony (Kent Nagano, dir.), and many more. Was a finalist for the BMI Charlie Parker Composition Prize and the IAJE/ASCAP Gil Evans Fellowship. Javier studied composition with Bob Brookmeyer and theory with George Russell. An innovator in the field of jazz education, Javier’s research and development has been recognized by leading music institutions worldwide. He has taught at New England Conservatory of Music and Lawrence University and is the founder of New York Jazz Academy. Javier is the author of several influential music texts and articles, and he has been published by Jazz Educators Journal, UNC Jazz Press, and Dorn Publications. He has taught jazz for over 25 years. 

For twenty years bassist/composer Matt Pavolka has been a vital force in the New York Jazz and Creative Music scenes. A partial list of musicians and bands that he has performed with includes Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Guillermo Klein, Chris Cheek, Kevin Hayes, Ben Monder, House of Illusion, Josh Roseman’s Extended Constellations, Dave Binney, The Ryan Scott Orchestra, Magalie Souriou, Elysian Fields, Joe Beck, J. Geils, Tony Malaby, Bill McHenry, Matt Renzi and Ohad Talmor’s Newsreel. He has toured extensively in the United States, Europe and Japan and can be heard on many recordings, including releases from Magalie Souriou, Guillermo Klein, Marlon Browdon, Andre Fernandes, Nate Radley, Noah Preminger and House of Illusion. He has released two albums as a leader, “Something People Can Use,” on Tone Of A Pitch Records and “The Horns Band” on the Fresh Sounds, New Talent label.

Matt Pavolka

Pavolka grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. He began playing the trombone at an early age and studied with David Baker before heading to Boston to attend the Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship as a trombonist at age 18. He switched his major to bass in his first year there and was awarded an outstanding performance award on that instrument as well as the Charles Mingus Award for his work as a composer. He moved to New York in 1994. In addition to his work as a performing musician, composer and bandleader, he is active as a music educator. He is also the musical director for the Redeye Grill in Manhattan’s live performance series.