Jeff Fairbanks, `02 & M.M. `05, Receives BMI Charlie Parker Award

Jeff Fairbanks, Music `02 & M.M. Jazz Composition `05, was awarded the BMI Charlie Parker Award on June 25th at the annual BMI Jazz Composer Workshop showcase concert at New York’s Merkin Hall.

A noted creative forum for musical exploration and development, the BMI Jazz Workshop admits only the top jazz composers in the world. This award, given annually to only one composer from this group, includes the prestigious Manny Albam Commission that, in addition to the cash award, will result in a new work to be premiered next summer by the BMI/NY Jazz Orchestra.

Jeff also received recent notification of a composer assistance grant from the American Music Center to help support the premiere of a new piece at the Brooklyn Lyceum in August by his own ensemble, the Jeff Fairbanks Jazz Orchestra.

In addition to all this extraordinary recognition, he is also a new father! Congratulations, Jeff. 

Pictured are (l-r): BMI Vice President Robbin Ahrold, saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom, composer Jim McNeely (who recently offered the keynote address at USF Center for Jazz Composition’s International Jazz Composers’ Symposium), Jeff Fairbanks and jazz noted authority Dan Morgenstern.