Walking into Louisville’s Galt House any other day isn’t anything out of the ordinary. One would hear the smooth jazz being played in the lobby and see guests checking in and checking out, lugging their suitcases around. Jazz in the hotel took on a new meaning as posters and signs announced the Jazz Education Network convention upstairs. Instead of seeing people carrying suitcases, there were people from around the world carrying instrument cases. Instead of soft, smooth jazz being played from speakers in the lobby, distant live jazz filled the lobby. As the stairs were ascended, the jazz music got louder and louder. Once upstairs, bands and musicians were playing everywhere. There were people of many nationalities all around speaking various languages to each other. This wasn’t a United Nations meeting, though. Everyone was there to hear and speak the language of jazz. Musicians were playing in multiple rooms on the second floor of the Galt House. Instrument companies had set up booths, and instruments lay on tables and on floor displays for everyone to see and try out. It was estimated that about 3,000 people were in attendance, but according to John Labareba of the University of Louisville School of Music, the attendance was even higher. Labareba has been involved in the Jazz Education Network from the beginning. The official JEN started three years ago, but Labareba said that it has been around for much longer. “It has only been around for three years,” he said, “but the same members came from the International Association for Jazz Education. I’m seeing a lot of the same faces from 25 years ago.” Labareba said the JEN is an outgrowth of the older International Association for Jazz Education. He said, “That went down three years ago, but this organization grew from that.” Not everyone in attendance was a JEN veteran like Labareba, who has been involved in the jazz scene for 51 years. University of Kentucky School of Music member Dieter Rice and UK Jazz Ensemble performer Pat Van Arsdale were newcomers to the convention. “There are people from around the world here,” Rice said. “We had a girl from Hong Kong express interest in UK. She was interested in being a student of Raleigh Daily, our jazz studies instructor for piano and composition arranging. There have also been people from New York City and the South. We have found a mix.” Rice plays tenor saxophone and he has been involved with jazz since 1987. Trumpet player Van Arsdale was doing something new as well. A senior at the university who has been playing jazz trumpet since he was in the eighth grade, Van Arsdale said, “This is my first time at the convention, and today is my first show as well.” The Pittsburgh native was inspired by musician Maynard Ferguson, and he joined a jazz group at his high school. For aspiring jazz musicians, he recommended joining a school jazz band. Van Arsdale said, “If your school doesn’t offer it, lots of places have community jazz ensembles; bigger cities may have jazz programs for students. If you can’t do any of those, you can always start in college.” All this talk of jazz poses a question: Why is Louisville the destination for a jazz convention? “(Jazz in Louisville) is actually quite healthy,” Labareba said. “Unfortunately, one of the best jazz clubs went out of business, The Jazz Factory. Our students find small clubs where they play. There’s around four or five venues in Louisville that have jazz performances.” Labareba said the Nachbar in Germantown and the bar in The Seelbach Hotel have frequent performances. Rice said UK’s jazz program is alive and well. They have a jazz ensemble on campus and welcome the public to attend performances. So you want to learn more about jazz? Jazz, being America’s very own creation, is very widespread in the country. Rice said, “There are individual associations for instruments, like the North American Saxophone Alliance. In March, the Classical and Jazz Society is having a conference, and the Kentucky Music Education Association is having a conference in a few weeks.” Labareba said the U of L School of Music was recognized by six special events at the convention. Van Arsdale offered good tips for aspiring jazz performers: “Listen to a lot of jazz music. Listen to it constantly and try to imitate the artists, their style especially. Practice a lot with improvisation.” Labareba named his current favorite jazz artist, McCoy Tyner. He said he is a wonderful piano player but not really a household name. Rice’s favorite musician is John Coltrane, who shared a love of the tenor saxophone with the UK teacher. The styles of jazz for one artist seemed endless, as Rice rattled off different Coltrane albums. He said, “‘Interstellar Space’ was just drums and sax; that’s considered really ‘far out’ stuff. I really love ‘Love Supreme’; my favorite albums are ‘Giant Steps’ and ‘John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.’ ‘Blue Train’ was good by every musician all around.” For those interested in jazz, there are more opportunities to catch the JEN, which puts on conventions across the country. Dates are on their website, jazzednet.org.